Care packages ease transitions

(NewsUSA) - After going off to college, 67 percent of students find what they want most is a taste of home delivered to their mailbox, according to a survey conducted by The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc.

While care packages are a tradition, few parents may realize how much their kids miss home cooking - or at least free food. According to the survey, 40 percent of students say finding money for food is the worst part about eating at college, with dorm food a close second at 33 percent. Use these tips to create the perfect care package:

t Mix it up. Send home-baked sweets, such as cookies, alongside hearty snacks, like trail mix. Pack items securely in airtight decorative tins or disposable plasticware. You can even send a birthday cake by placing the cake in a tin and packing the frosting separately. Include candles, a card, presents and decorations for an instant birthday party.

t Pack carefully. Ensure baked goods are cool before packing. When shipping multiple items, pack the heaviest ones on the bottom and make sure all items are tightly sealed. Never leave air pockets in containers. Fill gaps with air-filled wrap, so the goodies look as good on arrival as they did when they left the oven.