Happy Friday! I think Ranger and I will be heading back to CT this weekend, but not before seeing my Aunt Linda who is coming over to Ocracoke today! Yippie!! I haven’t seen her in forever and you bet Ranger is excited to meet her! Truth be told, Ranger loves meeting everyoneee…

Alrighty, let’s just dive right into it here. I’ve been dying to share this post with you all, but of course couldn’t ruin the surprise since I think my sister and cousin (Katherine and Adrianna, respectively) read Style Inherited! Although that’s totally something I would do…spend all that time putting together a surprise care package only to ruin it by spread the word prematurely on the blog before it even arrived to them.

I’m one of those people who still sends hand-written letters all. the. time. I know how much I love receiving mail, which is one of the main reasons why I love sending it, it’s just fun to open a letter addressed to you! Right?! Letters are nice and all, but a care package, now that’s the real deal! That’s something special that can surely brighten your day, maybe even your week! Back when I was in college (not thatttt long ago!) I remember how from the moment I got an email notification that there was a package in the mailroom for me my mood instantly went from meh to yippie!!! Sure, every once in a while I’d realize oops, I ordered something on Amazon that I forgot about, but most of the time those unexpected deliveries were from my friends or family and were filled with lots of little goodies!

First let me just say that on the one hand any care package is automatically a great care package. If someone takes the time to send you something, that’s a home run right there. Butttt I also think there’s a way to balance having some fun, being silly, and practical to really nail a care package. I’d like to think I accomplished that with this care package. Katherine said she was a bit confused by the assortment, but that was in large part to my lack of including a note. Oops! I meant to write a note, and I usually always do write a note, but this time I forgot! Lesson learned- write a note! I didn’t get Adrianna’s feedback, but maybe she’ll read this and lemme know what she thought of the package. (My sister literally just texted me that she thought it was kind of random and was free blog stuff. Wrong.) I love shopping at Home Goods for a variety of random treasures. If Home Goods is a bit too expensive, then head to the dollar store for fun more affordable, fun finds!

Think seasonal:

I always like give my care package a little bit of a theme. In this case it was fall themed package. For the most part! Some easy seasonal things to include are: food/treats, Keurig flavors (think pumpkin spice for fall, then maybe peppermint coco for winter), coffee mugs, and seasonal decor items (like something to hang on your wall or prop up on your desk).

Think silly:

If there’s not something weird/ fun in your care package then you’re doing it wrong!! I included chocolates in the shape of pumpkins and also some champagne flavored gummy bears. Both are super fun and something that I can guarantee you neither Katherine or Adrianna would buy for themselves. Here’s another idea- ever go out to a restaurant or stay at a hotel where you get those mini mayonnaise glass bottles, or mini hot sauces? Yeah those! I like to save those little things to throw in a care package, just as something random/funny! I mean, who knows maybe one day you’ll actually have a use for them! Or maybe not. Either way, my opinion is that the more fun, little treasures you throw into a care package, the better!

Think practical:

I was trying to think of an “s” word to keep with my theme, but oh well! Some of my favorite practical things include: snacks, coffee mugs (honestly, you can never have too many coffee mugs!), notepad, and toiletries! Although it might be a little weird, I bought these super high quality wash clothes from Home Goods, they weren’t cheap! I wasn’t about to spend over $30 to buy a set of them, so I just got one each. I think we all have those wash cloths from college that are rough as sand paper, and those glorious few that we splurged on. At least that’s my situation! Let me tell you, I can’t wait for laundry day to roll around for me to use those really soft, plush wash cloths! You might be thinking, Helen you are so weird, but I kind of fell like I’m not alone here… am I right?! So if superior wash cloths aren’t your jam, then maybe opt for a nice shampoo or bar of luxury soap. I dunno! I was just going for something that wouldn’t weigh too much and cost a fortune shipping. To be honest!

There you have it! Some of my tips and tricks for putting together the ultimate care package! Some last parting advice- you can never go wrong with food and candy! Some fan favorites are always popcorn or chips or veggie sticks. If you’re going to send chocolate, make sure it’s not in the summer time! And be carefully if shipping glass/ceramic pieces. Wrap those babies up in an old t-shirt or some leftover bubble wrap if you have it (depending on how earth friendly you are).

That’s all for now– I’m going to go lay on a longe chair in hopes of feeling better before my aunt arrives later today!

With love from Greenwich,

Helen