Sending a friend or family member a care package!

I recently had a friend make a hospital visit with the usual recovery time of six weeks after she gets out. I knew she needed a care package. Someone sent me a "Box of Sunshine" years ago after a hospital stay, so since then, I've tried to pass this sweet custom on. I remember how fun it was to open the package of small little trinkets and favors--really made my day.

So here we go--it's really easy to do. I'm partial to finding items with a "sunshine" color, but you certainly don't have to do that. I just happen to find it fun to find items that fit in with my "sunshine" theme.

​You can find lists online or on Pinterest. You can brainstorm your own ideas for items and then go shopping. Or simply walk through a pharmacy or craft store and grab those items you think would be appropriate.

And that's it!

They even have websites where you can order a box of sunshine already prepared, but I like creating my own. That's half the fun! And you can personalize it with items you know your recipient would like. 

My friend lives out of town, so I used a box and mailed it. But if your friend is in town, you can use something else--maybe a sweet basket that they can use later. Or even a pretty gift bag. Let your imagination run wild.

With the recent events in our country, it's nice to walk away from the horrible news of the day, all the sad thoughts swirling in your head, and do something for someone else. You might even have a friend who's simply down in the dumps. Take her a box of sunshine! This whole world needs a box of SUNSHINE. Good for the recipient as well as the giver! 

To all you grandparents out there: Are you still fortunate enough to have a living parent? Then send them a care-package!

How wonderful to have the matriarch in your family still alive and well. We need to honor and respect them and nurture them the way they did us and our children. And one great way is through a care package. If they live in town, you can still do a care package. If they live in another city? Nothing better than receiving a care package in the mail. 

I do better with care packages if I can come up with a theme. There are tons of themes and suggestions online and on Pinterest. Some of the ones I do are often based on the seasons--a "Box of Sunshine," a "Fall Surprise," a "Spring in your Step." You get the idea. I love to send my mother-in-law care packages....mostly because she is a fabulous mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She's the cherished matriarch of our family, and we all love her dearly. Sending her a fun package every once in a while makes me very happy--selfish I know.
 
So it's August in Texas with the oppressive heat never ending. I decided my theme this time would be "Chill Out." As I said, it's much easier for me to think of silly little gifts for the box if I'm focused on a theme. So for my "Chill Out" theme, I went with cool, blue items and cool mint treats. (Every box of surprises has to have sweets!)

The procedure-

Once I establish my theme, I just head to my favorite craft store. I have the best time in there looking for anything "blue." I found a blue notepad to put by her telephone. I also got a glass candle holder. She's not big on burning candles, but I got her a supply of LED tea lights. I also went to a linen supply store, and bought her blue tea towels (Doesn't everyone need to refresh their tea towel supply occasionally?) and a new guest fingertip towel for her bath. Just silly things I know, but I have fun with it, and she always seems to enjoy discovering what's in her box. As you can see from the photo, I even found some blue cooking utensils.

Here's my list (but you'll come up with much better ideas):

• notepad and pen
• blue cooking utensils of silicone
• a ceramic heart with an imprinted prayer
• a coaster
• dish cloths
• tea towels
• fingertip towels for bath
• blue glass candle holder
• LED tea lights
• magnetic bookmarks (She's an avid reader.)

The shopping continued--

Next I went to the grocery store to pick up some treats. My mother-in-law hosts a coffee klatsch most afternoons when friends and family (but really, with my mother-in-law, EVERYONE is family) are getting off work. It's fun to include some treats in the box that her coffee chums can enjoy. Again, the treats were in keeping with my theme. 

Lastly--

I printed up a card for the box and stuffed the box with lots of blue tissue paper. . . of course! I just try to have fun with it!

Final thoughts--

This blog is for and about grandparents. And if any grandparent readers are lucky enough to have a surviving parent or in-law, I hope you honor them. My blog is about nurturing the relationships you have with your grandchildren, but we should honor and tend to the relationships with our own parents. Those surviving members of our families, whether it be parents, grandparents or dear aunts and uncles are deserving of our love and devotion. The love and wisdom they can impart is a precious thing. Sending a care package is just another way to say thank you for all they mean to us.

Tag, you're it!

If you have sent care packages with a special theme, please share. I'm always looking for new ideas, and I know my readers are too. Share anything you've done for the generation before us--I'd love to hear that too. We've got to keep stirring the pot!

Added note:  My emphasis was on a matriarch as my mother-in-law is the last remaining relative of that age group. But of course you know, these suggestions apply to grandfathers and great-grandfathers as well!

Procedure~

Be sure to put your grand in an apron--that's half the fun. Then get out all ingredients and equipment. I did let my granddaughter measure the ingredients. I even let her chop the apples. First I peeled and cut the apple in big chunks. Then she did the rest of the cutting herself with a plastic nice. Very safe.

More Connections~

You can plan an activity around just about any book your grand enjoys. Simply read the book and see what extended activity the book suggests in your mind. The possibilities are endless. Favorite books for 4-5 age groups are many. Reading "Be Nice to Spiders"? Make a spider--and a 3-dimensional one is really fun. Dr. Seuss' "One Fish, Two Fish"? Make a fish on a line! Another favorite that's still available for this age group is "George and Martha." Instead of making Martha's split pea soup, make her chocolate chip cookies! A never-ending array of choices when enriching the book experience with your grand! Always fun for both generations!

Parting thoughts~

I know my readers have extended various reading activities with your grands--whether it was writing your own books based on a favorite book, cooking or doing some art activity. Please write me and share. I would love to hear.

Books mentioned today that are a favorite of preschoolers:

"George and Martha" by James Marshall
"Be Nice to Spiders" by Margaret Bloy Graham
"Swimmy" by Leo Lionni
"One Fish, Two Fish" by Dr. Seuss
"The Very Busy Spider" by Eric Carle

Great blog for children's art ideas~ artbarblog.com