Good mail is fun to get and these are such a fun surprise in a mailbox.  After you’ve made one, you’ll see what I mean.

Materials needed:  heavy table-cloth plastic (available at fabric stores), small firm candies (such as skittles, smarties, tootsie-rolls, bubblegum, candy necklaces, jolly ranchers, etc.)

Directions:

1)  Cut a 16 x 12 inch rectangle of heavy plastic and fold in half lengthwise so that the dimensions are 8 x 12 inches with the fold at the bottom. 

2)  Sew, using a zigzag or straight stitch, both 8 inch sides closed. 

3)  Measure in approximately 3 inches from side seam and stitch from bottom to top.  Repeat by measuring approximately 3 more inches from that seam and sew again from bottom to top—creating 4 columns in the plastic rectangle.

4)  Fill column two inches full with candies, alternating candy types in columns.  After all 4 columns are filled; sew a horizontal stitch across the columns, sealing the candy inside.

5)  Repeat steps for the next row of columns; expect adding the name and address which you have written on an index card in one of the columns instead of candy.  Sew closed, and layer candies again.

6)  Sew columns closed and take to the post office and mail.  They will mail it just like it is—honest!

            This gift works well for anyone—not just children and college students.  Variations include pencils, erasers, stamps, stickers and small stuffed toys. 

            A ‘get-well-soon’ packet might include a packet of chicken noodle soup, cough drops, two aspirin, a few mint tea leaves, a packet of Kleenexes, a magazine or novel.  The variations of what to send are limitless, but one hint is to send it only within country.  I haven’t ever had one stolen, but our postmaster said it would be a higher possibility out of country.