For full instructions, check out Roots and Wings.

Additional Tips: see if you can find a plastic jar (like a peanut butter jar) so that the end result weighs less. This will be beneficial for those of you who are shipping overseas.

My hubby LOVES their shells and white cheddar, so I sent him several boxes of this on his mission. (The picture shows a family-size, but individual-serving boxes are smaller and lighter.)

It occurred to me recently that Annie’s products are perfect for Easter packages — Bernie shows up on nearly all of their awesome organic treats.

Check out an independent user-rating on blogger Creative Carissa’s site — complete with Bunny Tail decoration the pasta boxes have become so famous for!

I have no experience with this site, but I’d love to hear feedback from those who have use it in the past–any good?

Holiday-themed packages are among the easiest, and the month of March is no different. A few weeks before St. Patrick’s Day, send your missionary a package full of gold chocolate coins and rainbow skittles. This simple gift will delight the recipient, and requires very little effort on the part of the sender.

Tip: you can visit the General Mills website for coupons.

Fruit snacks are another treat that can survive a long trip overseas if necessary, and there is nothing cooler than Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles when it comes to snacks for boys. This is inexpensive and very fun — definitely a winner this St. Patrick’s Day!

March means different things to different people, but for me it is forever associated with girl scout cookies! Find out your missionary’s favorite kind and send her a package — she’ll relish the treat! If you are unsure of where to purchase cookies, use this site to find stands in your area:

http://www.girlscoutcookies.org/

My brother’s favorite are the Samoas, so I’m planning to buy a few…

Get Creative!

This is a really fun idea, and you can use it multiple times over the course of a year. Just think of all the color combinations and cute messages you can come up with! The ordering process is very simple, too. Just visit the following site for directions:

http://www.mymms.com/customprint/?sc_cid=DR_LV1

Mix Chips in, or Melt on Top!

Remember, sister missionaries will probably be excited about decorations, but elders probably won’t go to too  much trouble. One way to cater to both groups is by sending a Valentine’s Day breakfast-in-a-box. Very easy: measure out an appropriate amount of dry pancake mix (I love Krusteez brand), and include a ziplock bag full of chocolate chips. Mail with instructions on how much water to add. Even if the chocolate chips melt on the way, they can be broken up again and thrown into the batter. The result: delicious chocolate chip pancakes — a perfect Valentine’s Day breakfast! This delicious image comes from Amarand Agasi — thank you!

Send Some Love!

My cousin loved this! One Valentine’s Day, I sent her cookie cutters, just-add-water sugar cookie mix, pink frosting, sprinkles, and a few plastic knives, and she and her fellow sister missionaries actually made them! Make sure you get a very simple mix, and maybe double check to see if your missionary has a cookie sheet, or even an oven in their apartment! If not, you can always send pre-packaged Valentine cookies! This beautiful image comes from My Flour Garden — thank you!