Popcorn-Packed Care Packages

When graduation season was upon us last year, there were so many kids we wanted to give gifts to. Jack's friends, of course, and kids he'd gone to school with for years. I had some students I'd worked with on the prom committee and other projects who I wanted to acknowledge with more than a card.

We decided that we'd give gift certificates for a college care package during their first semester. (Gosh, I hope they like sugar.) I printed up a little certificate that we put into cards. I gave my, as I like to call it,"text number" for the students to text me their college address once they got it.

This week, the first batch of packages went out. I'm anticipating that they'll all be a little different. For these, I packed the care packages with four goodies, and cushioned the boxes with bagged popcorn.


Treat #1: Decorated Cookies

This round had the subtle-hints-for-college-students cookies that I blogged about earlier this week.

To ship decorated cookies, I love using hard-sided document boxes. (They're typically white.) Look for a size that is approximately 8.5 x 11 x 2". You can fit two layers of decorated cookies in the box. Place a sheet of foam on the bottom, place one layer of cookies on top. Place another sheet of foam on top. If adding two layers, repeat.

Ideally, the cookies shouldn't have much room to move around (and the foam does help to hold them in place), but if there's lots of room, fold some foam scraps and tape. Place in the open areas.


Treat #2: Six Degrees of Separation Chocolate Chip Cookies

The recipe is just a variation of the famous New York Times chocolate chip cookie. The recipe I've linked is for a BIG batch, so it's perfect for sending multiple care packages. Also, they are the prettiest chocolate chip cookies ever.

For packaging, I used a cookie box from Sweet Sugarbelle's line. I taped the sides closed.

For extra insurance against the box opening, I slid each box into a gallon-size bag. It'll keep them fresher, too.


Treat #3: Peanut Butter M&M Cookies

Since it's still hot here in Texas, I wanted to send things that wouldn't get too melty. So, no frosted brownies or cookies here. I love these puffy, fluffy peanut butter cookies. How can you not love a cookie labeled as puffy and fluffy?

For packaging, I stacked cookies in wax "coffee bags." They're a gusseted bag with a tab closure. I found them at the Container Store.


Treat #4: Homemade Rice Krispies Treats

More on this recipe is coming, but these are not your typical rice krispies treats. They're made, not with packaged marshmallows, but with a homemade marshmallow cream. Yum.

For packaging, I split the batch between two 8" square sturdy foil pans. (Buy the kind with the lids.) I chose not to cut them, so they wouldn't go stale. Instead, I used baker's twine to tie a knife on the top.

To pack the boxes, I started with a layer of bagged popcorn on the bottom of the box. The decorated cookies went in first...that's the sturdiest box and gives the best base for the rest. Next in went the chocolate chip cookies. Putting them directly on top of the decorated cookie box gave them a flat surface. Next to the those went a bag of the peanut butter cookies. I nestled bags of popcorn around the sides.

I placed the rice krispies treats on the top. They were the lightest of the bunch and I didn't want the lid to get too dented. More popcorn bags went around the container.

A note was placed on the top before the box was sealed. Done!

[Note]: you'll need more bags of popcorn than you think. I went back to the store and still didn't have enough. (Jack's box ended up with some bagged goldfish and packing peanuts to round out the job. Shhh....don't tell him that the others have all popcorn.)

Have you sent a college care package or received one? Tell me your care package favorite treats.