How To Build An Awesome Care Package

Care packages can be a fun and creative way to keep in touch with your long distance loved one. Even though they are most commonly associated with military members, anyone living far away from their special someone can create one of these packages for a unique and personal gift. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create an awesome care package that is sure to impress!

1) Gather Supplies

• Since it is February, I decided to create a Valentine's Day themed care package for my boyfriend. I used red and pink materials to decorate the box and the gifts inside were primarily red and pink as well. Whatever theme you decide for your package, picking creative materials and decorations will give a personal touch to your package. For mine, I chose a large box (the USPS provides flat-rate boxes that are ideal for postage and lends themselves well to decorating), cork board sheets, glitter alphabet stickers, and Valentine themed owl stickers. You will also need scissors and glue.

2) Decorate Box

• When you pick up the box from the post office, they may not have any boxes already assembled. You can either do this yourself or ask one of the employees to put it together for you. After your box is assembled, gather your supplies. Take the corkboard (you may use decorated paper if you would like) and cut it in the dimensions of each quadrant of the box (bottom, each inside square, and each outside flap).

• Make sure your edges are straight and your dimensions are precise. When you are finished putting your box together, the top folds will need to be folded and closed. If the corkboard overlaps, the box won't close properly and it also might ruin the inside of the box.

• Now, decide what phrase or message you want to add onto your box. Since my package is  Valentine's themed, I chose the phrase, "Will you be my Valentine?" Take your alphabet stickers and spell out your message before you add them to the box; this is so you know you have enough letters and that everything is spelled correctly. Once your phrase is laid out, begin attaching your letters to the box. If the sticky part of your letters does not adhere to the box, you may want to use some glue to reinforce them. Be creative with how you display your message! Spreading your words across each top flap will help to make your letters pop!

• Once your letters are glued firmly to the box, you can begin attaching your other decorations! Have fun with this! Choose stickers, glitter, beads, pictures, you can even draw! I chose to keep mine simple and added a few owl and heart stickers I found at Michael's.

• Once your box is complete, and decorated to your liking, you can now move on to the items you will be putting inside!

3) Filling the Care Package

• This is the most personal and time consuming part of this project. It is important to choose items and gifts that are going to show your loved one just how much you care. Snacks and other food items are an easy and fun idea, but make sure it's nothing that will spoil during the delivery process. Other items you might want to include are pictures, books, and cards or letters you've written. For military personnel, handwritten letters and pictures are some of the most precious items them own while they are deployed. Keeping your package personal will make your significant other feel loved and embraced even though they are far away.

4) Completing the Box

• After you've purchased and gathered all of the items your are going to include in your package, go ahead and arrange them inside the box. This may take a bit of planning, and can feel a bit like a game of Tetris. It may be a good idea to include some colored tissue paper or some other kind of filler to put in between the spaces of your box. This will keep the items from shaking around or breaking during delivery.

After everything is inside the box and arranged properly, close the flaps and tape them down. Write yours and your loved one's address on the box and return it to the post office for shipping. Your job is done! Now you can sit back and relax while you wait for your loved one to receive the package. The best part about care packages is that they are a perfect gift for any occasion or season. You don't even need a particular reason to send one. You can send a large care package like the one I showed you how to make, or you can create a smaller one that include smaller items. They are a fun and creative way to show your love across a long distance. And who knows, your package may inspire them to send one back to you!