Everything

“Believe that everything we need always [comes] at the right time.” (Nur Blessing)

A care package is a box mailed from home, friends, or family containing favorite foods or comfort items from the individual receiving these items. The key to the perfect care package is striking a balance between reminding recipients of home and offering items that will make them a little bit happier wherever they are. Care packages (simple or extravagant) are a good way to remind your loved ones that you support them in their worthy endeavor.

The history of care packages began in 1945 when the newly formed humanitarian organization CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere) initiated a program to send food relief to Europe. A large number of people were at risk of starvation as a result of World War II. The organization obtained permission from the U.S. government to send U.S. Army surplus "10-in-1" food parcels to Europe. The "10-in-1" parcels had been prepared for an invasion of Japan, which never transpired.

Americans were given the opportunity to purchase a CARE Package for 10 dollars to send to friends or relatives in Europe. Packages were guaranteed to arrive within four months. Even when a donor did not know an address of a beneficiary, CARE would find that person using the last address known. The CARE package thus became a "missing person" service in the chaos following World War II. Below is some advice to keep in mind when assembling a care package:

Create a Practical List

Before you buy random items, it is recommended to create a list of what practical items your person would like to receive. Ask questions like these: Where are they located? What are their ambitions? Which items is a necessity? What foods do they like? Remember to find a balance between which products are useful and with ones are for amusement. Keep in mind the size and weight of each of these items you will be adding to your care package.

When packing, have the heavier and bigger items on the bottom. The bigger the mass, the more important that it remains under the items with less density. You do not want your products to clash, break, or spill because you didn’t properly pack the care package in the first place. Make sure you apply bubble-wrap or other types of patting to prevent the items from moving around when the package is journeying across the world.

Calculate and Research

Add up the prices of each item, and look up the shipping funds. It is highly recommended to navigate to both the recipient’s mail service and yours to see the complete total for shipping. Also, researching the shipping rules for each country (if you’re mailing international) will inform you of the maximum weight and size the care package can be.

Be Creative

Get creative in the packaging. There are many different ways to make your box exciting for your person. For example, a birthday care package could have present paper taped in the inside of the box. Think of fun ways to decorate your care package by adding stickers, scrapbook letters, Bible verses, or anything that you know would bring a smile to their face.

A common mistake is not bagging liquid products. Use Ziploc-type bags to seal the item and then place it in another bag. Strong-scented items can also smell up the entire care package. So, make sure to double-bag those nice-smelling packages in their own separate bags.

Ship In Advance

Make sure that you send your box months in advance to your person. It’s a common mistake a package, which does not arrive until months later. Send your box a holiday, and if your person gets it earlier, have them wait to open it on the special occasion. These are the following time estimates for international shipping.

·        1-3 business days: Choose the Global Express Guaranteed option, and you’ll get a money-back guarantee in over 190 countries.

·        3-5 business days: Choose Priority Mail Express International. Same money-back guarantee, plus you’ll get free shipping supplies.

·        6-10 business days: Choose Priority Mail International. You’ll get free shipping supplies.

Do keep in mind that these guidelines exclude the time period going through customs. It may take up from one month to six. So, stay prepared and ready to send that box in advance for them to receive your package safely in their hands and on time.

 

Double-Check Everything

Be sure to double and triple-check the sealed-items, and labels for your box. Writing the wrong destination on the package will prevent it from being sent to the proper location. Make sure that when you are adding the shipping labels to have the information be accurate. It is recommended to apply the shipping labels at the post office so that you can receive assistance from an employee there. Also keep the following in mind.

Never put chemicals such as liquid soaps with edible foods. Even though all items are individually packed (with the original labels) does not mean that the chemicals will not explode. Due to the air pressure during air-mail, all liquid products could potentially open and ruin the sweet treats and edible food inside of your care package.

Another common mistake is not bagging liquid products. Use Ziploc-type bags to seal the item and then place it in another bag. Strong-scented items can also smell up the entire care package. So, make sure to double-bag those nice-smelling packages in their own separate bags.

 “Most of all, our troops from Alabama said they appreciate the care packages from folks back home.” (Mike Rogers) [i]

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[i] Sources used:

·     “The 5 Things That Always Belong in a Food Care Package” by Cambria Bold

·     “7 Thoughtful Care Package Ideas to Remind Anyone How Much You Care” By Lauren Phillips

·    “7 Things to Include In A Care Package” By Joyce Cam

·     “What to Pack in Missionary Care Packages” by Caitlin Riddle

·        “5 Care Package Lessons” by Rachel

·        “What does care package mean?” by Definitions.net

·     “CARE Package” From Wikipedia