It’s that time of the year again — teens from all over the nation are packing their bags and leaving home on their way to college. All those years of hard work, planning and preparation have finally paid off, but now that the time has arrived it is only natural to feel a bit anxious.

Relax. The separation, distance and entire college experience is a new and exciting chapter of life, so it should come as no surprise that parents all around the nation feel just like you! In fact, chances are your college-bound teen might share some of those feelings even as he or she anticipates the big day. Nothing says “we care” like a package from home.

A care package makes a great going-away gift, birthday present or just a fun way to celebrate a special event like acing midterms. Learn how to craft the perfect care package to help your new college student adjust to dorm life with these great tips and useful gift giving ideas.

The first step in crafting the perfect care package is to determine how and when to give the gift. Remember, if your teen is flying, space will be limited, so either keep the care package small or send it separately. For those who are driving, size is less important, so feel free to send a bigger care package. Just don’t go overboard. Dorm rooms are tiny and space is always at a premium.

The next step in crafting the perfect care package is to get creative and make every item count.

• Useful & Unique: Try to find a useful yet unique container to hold everything. For smaller care packages, a colorful basket or waterproof shower caddy are great dual-purpose containers with a practical application; for larger care packages, use a laundry basket, backpack or even luggage.
• Multi-Purpose Packing: Instead of using packing paper, try wrapping items in washcloths or using a soft shower scrubby to cushion items or fashion decorative flowers. Store breakable items in plastic containers that double as desktop pen holders or coin and key storage boxes.
• Look Around: You might be surprised to find how many things are already available; common examples include containers, snacks and media. The money you save can be put toward buying something a little “extra special.”

Be sure to include a few comfort foods. From Mom’s homemade fudge to a package of their favorite snacks, having a little nibble while taking care of the business of settling in makes everything a bit easier. Snacks and ready-to-eat foods that go great in care packages include:

• Fruit & Nuts: Help your teen avoid the notorious “freshman fifteen” by encouraging healthy habits. Nothing beats fruit and nuts for a nutritious and healthy snack. Apples and oranges travel well while convenient snack sizes of nuts or sunflower seeds provide quick energy for hungry teens.
• Mints & More: Chewing gum and breath mints are always appreciated when meeting new roommates or college co-eds. Toss in a few packs just for good measure — your teen will thank you.
• Cookies & Candy: Be sure to include your teen’s favorite sweet treats like cookies and candy. Popular selections include giant-sized bags of M&Ms, a big box of chocolate chip cookies or an assortment with a little bit of everything.
• Spam & Ham: Boxed crackers and canned Spam or ham spread make quick lunches —   especially when combined with fruits and nuts.
• Beverages to Go: Dry-powered sports mix and Kool-Aid make good dorm room drinks. Simply add water and presto — an instant beverage to go!

The first few days on campus are likely to be lonely, especially before the rest of the students arrive and classes begin. New college students may feel particularly homesick the first few days or weeks on campus. These practical but memorable gifts from home are just the cure.

• Letters from Home: Have siblings, grandparents, friends and others who would like to send a special note write a personal letter. Seal each in a different envelop with instructions to open one every day. It’s a great way to say you care and put a smile on your teen’s face no matter how far from home he or she might be.
• Meaningful Mugs and Digital Photo Frames: Turn photographs of family, friends, favorite places or even the family dog into practical items that remind your student of home. Here are just a few personalized gift items you can have made from family photos that would be a big hit in any dorm:
  • Mugs and Coasters — Memorialize a great vacation by turning a few scenic snap shots into a mug and coaster set.
  • Calendar or Day Planner — Create a gift they will love by collecting pictures of friends to turn into fun calendars.
  • Mouse Pad and Desk Set — Turn photos of Fido into a desk set they will treasure.
  • Clock and Deck of Playing Cards — Put a picture of their face on a deck of cards for a fun surprise and easy way to keep belongings personalized.
  • Pillow or T-Shirt — Memorialize a favorite saying or slogan with a custom-created T-shirt or pillow.
  • Digital Photo Frame — It changes pictures so they don’t have to select just one!

No college care package would be complete without a few handy helpers. Take time to personalize these for a useful gift that shows how much you care.

• Post-it® Notes: Every college student needs Post-itNotes and they’re now available in a wide variety of colors and sizes — small ones for making quick notes in books and large ones for leaving memos for roommates are popular choices. Include a few personalized suggestions of your own to remind them to eat right or call home.
• Pens and Markers: College students can never have too many pens or highlighters. Find a selection of comfortable writing instruments and markers in a wide variety of colors.
• Digital Voice Recorder: A digital voice recorder is a great gift that fits in any size care package and will help college students keep track of lessons, record important information or review lectures. Search for flash drive technology and rechargeable batteries to reduce the cost and clutter of tapes and the need to purchase batteries.
• Flash Drives: The need to transport data from computer to computer has grown by leaps and bounds. Include a couple flash drives to help keep your teen organized and able to back up important information.

The college experience isn’t only about classes. Encourage exploration of everything college life has to offer by including these great entertainment ideas.

• Tickets: Include two tickets to a show or upcoming sporting event; one for your teen and one for a new friend. It is a great way to make new friends and embrace school spirit. Local concerts or movie tickets also make popular gift ideas.
• Music & Media: Pack an iTunes gift card to go with an iPod or other media player. New media players reduce the clutter of having a stereo, movies and music sitting around the dorm by packing thousands of media files in a small space with room to spare.
• Gaming: Every college student needs a little down time, so be sure to include a variety of electronic video games or even a couple classic board games to help them “chill out” after the day is done.
• Books or Magazines: College requires a lot of serious reading, so include some fun and casual books or magazines just for pleasure and relaxation.

College kids always need these three things: Money, brains and a quick way to make a good impression with a prospective date. "Cents, sense and scents" will be a big hit in any care package from home.

• Cents: Don’t be surprised to find your formerly impractical teen suddenly concerned with the cost of everything — after all, college isn’t cheap and all those little things add up fast. Include a few rolls of quarters for vending machines, laundry and transportation.
• Sense: College-bound kids are big on brains, but every young genius needs a bit of help here and there. Calculators, PDAs and academic software make light work of tough assignments and are sure to be put to good use.
• Scents: The college social scene seems to never stop. Help prepare your teen to look his or her best with personal grooming and individual care items like perfume or cologne and body lotions or after-shave.

Other popular care package items include:

• Electric shavers and trimmers — rechargeable options that don’t require batteries are particularly appreciated
• Wet / dry epilators for women
• Exfoliating scrub, facial cleanser and accessories
• Manicure and pedicure sets

Sooner or later every college student needs to call home for a little extra cash or a small emergency. Reduce the stress and make sure your teen is prepared by planning in advance with these perfect care package perks.

• Gift Cards: It doesn’t matter how carefully you planned or packed, it always seems something was left behind or forgotten. A Wal-Mart Gift Card is a great way to pick up last-minute items without breaking the bank.
• Super Cell Phone: Make it easy to call home with a pre-paid phone and phone card minutes. For an extra-special cell phone your college-bound teen will really love, look for one with built-in features like a media player, camera, music and flash memory to make saving computer files and surfing the Web easier than ever. Kids will appreciate the convenience and you will appreciate the calls home.
• Pre-Paid Credit Cards: Establish an emergency cash fund with a pre-paid Visa or MasterCard that allows your teen the flexibility of credit in any situation. From new tires to holiday travel, having a credit card provides peace of mind that your teen won’t be left stranded and short on cash.