Tania Sinel: -how to host a college care package party-

I have been having so much fun sending Savannah care packages at college, even though it's only been a month since she left.

This past week I hosted a "care package party" at our house with some friends of mine who's daughters are also in college and friends of Savannah's.

It was so fun, such a hit, and a great excuse to get together with friends, and catch up over wine, cheese, and crackers.

Here is how to host your own care package party:

1~ Set the mood with decor. You don't have to go all out, but decorate for the current season.

We were putting together Halloween themed care packages, so I added a few simple Halloween decorations to our dining room.

I didn't change things up too much.

I added a few fake spiders to the sideboard, and left my concrete pumpkins.

2~ Have a little something to nibble on and non alcoholic beverages and wine is also nice.

I served champagne, wine, and perrier water.

I whipped up a simple charcuterie board and that was it.

3~ Have packaging supplies handy.

Boxes, tissue paper, ribbon, scissors, and tape.

One of the moms even brought pre-printed shipping labels which was super cute.

4~ As far as guests go, it's entirely up to you.

I had 3 guests which meant 4 care packages were going out.

Each person, including myself, bought 4 Halloween themed gifts ahead of time and brought them the night of the party. I will say, everyone went a little overboard and we had about 3 or 4 gifts per person instead.

Here are some fun Halloween ideas if you would like to throw one of these together:

Happy Halloween banners

Mini pumpkins

"To do" notepads

Orange trident gum

Treat bags filled with Halloween candy

Homemade cookies

Dollar store Halloween items such as the plastic hands below

Black and white striped socks

Fuzzy socks

Chocolates

and

Fake eyelashes

Pumpkin handsoap/hand sanitizer

5~ While you are visiting with each other you can be putting together the boxes and drumming up ideas for the next get together, which for us will be Valentines Day.