You don't have to be an economist to recognize that it makes no sense to ship deodorant from Chicago to Los Angeles. And who would mail ramen noodles? A postage stamp costs more than a single package.
But as Ben Bernanke would probably tell you, college care package economics do not align with textbook principles of supply and demand. Also, if we knew anything about textbook principles of economics, we would never have had children in the first place.
We had no idea of the price we would come to pay for encouraging their academic ambitions. We just thought those magnetic alphabet letters and numbers looked cute on the refrigerator door.
from the paying for college archives:
10 Things You Can No Longer Afford Once You Have a Kid in College
And with this post, you have just made me feel like a very bad mom. I have yet to send ONE care package to Man-Child this year (although the fact that I have seen him just about every weekend since classes started may have something to do with that!).
But, as a semi-veteran, let me tell you this - you are going to have to tell him that he has to go pick up the package. Yes, you will lose the element of surprise - but funnily enough - the kids these days don't check their physical mailboxes EVER unless they are expecting something.
Posted by: Gigi | November 05, 2013 at 04:06 PM
We've sent a couple up, mixed reviews. I think I see our mistake---we sent fancy boxed soups (grilled pepper tomato and lobster bisque, chicken pasta) individual hummus cups, individual peanut butter thingys with wheat crackers, oatmeal with dried blueberries and brown sugar, vacuum packed pasta and pot roast meals, tootsie rolls, natures own granola bars.... He basically hated everything but the tootsie rolls.
Posted by: nthnglsts | November 05, 2013 at 05:12 PM
That one sounds like it might be worth the postage.
SK
Posted by: Suburban Kamikaze | November 05, 2013 at 06:40 PM
Um, should I bother asking why he doesn't go buy his own ramen noodles? I guess then you wouldn't have been able to write this post. By the way, my family has so far sent a box of Pop Tarts and a box full of Entenmann's chocolate chip cookies.
Posted by: Executive Suburbanite | November 05, 2013 at 07:00 PM
He is very, very busy. Also a little spoiled.
SK
Posted by: Suburban Kamikaze | November 05, 2013 at 07:13 PM
Why does your Ramen look fancier than mine? I am outraged.
Posted by: Cy | November 06, 2013 at 06:07 AM
We splurged a little on the high-end noodles. In case he wants to invite someone over. Or use silverware.
SK
Posted by: Suburban Kamikaze | November 06, 2013 at 06:24 AM
At first blush, I thought you were packaging your own line of Deluxe Doomsday Prepper Kits - to include deodorant. Now I read it is a care package for junior in California. The deodorant is important b/c we would not want a major bio-malfunction situation when junior heads off to Glenda the Good Witch’s pad to hook up and make you a grandchild. Just thinking out loud. Glenda will eventually write about you behind your back on Facebook. You know that.
Posted by: Audubon Ron | November 06, 2013 at 12:12 PM
I think you may be confusing deodorant and condoms.
-SK
Posted by: Suburban Kamikaze | November 06, 2013 at 12:17 PM
^ Well, who hasn't done that?
Posted by: Cy | November 06, 2013 at 08:28 PM
It's an easy mistake to make.
-SK
Posted by: Suburban Kamikaze | November 07, 2013 at 09:32 AM