This encouragement post has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, MARS Incorporated. All opinions are mine alone. #WhatMakesDove #CollectiveBias
I was inspired to create a mini care package for my younger sister, who is away at college. Read on for my 3 simple ways to encourage her and how DOVE Chocolate PROMISES and CARE empower women within the cocoa industry. I decided to partner with them due to the ways they encourage and support women around the world.
Start or Continue a Tradition
I have fond memories of eating DOVE Chocolate PROMISES with my mother, feeling like a grownup, and reading the inspirational messages inside each wrapper. I decided to continue this with my sister by including some of each flavor (dark chocolate, sea salt caramel & dark chocolate, and white & dark chocolate swirl) in her care package. Keeping a tradition going can help bridge not only space (She's about 1,000 miles away!) but also time and generations (We are eight years apart in age).
Support Her Interests
It's especially easy to do this when they coincide with your own but I think it's even more important to make the effort when they don't. Ask questions, tag her in relevant content you see online, and learn a little about it on your own. These are all little ways to support her interests and maybe even develop a new one of your own that y'all can bond over! My sister is very much into art and makeup so I try to learn a bit about those things and ask her opinion on them.
Send Her a Pick-Me-Up
This doesn't have to be anything major or even an actual gift. A thoughtful card or text sometimes contains powerful encouragement. For tangible gifts, I like to give something practical (and cute) that she'll use all the time. If you're looking to go the care package route, here's what I included in this one to help give you ideas:
- Fall scented candle
- Blush palete
- Handwritten note
- Travel-sized hand lotion
- DOVE Chocolate PROMISES (I grab the 31-ounce canister from Sam's Club because it has enough to share and contains the best-selling dark chocolate variety mix. You can find your nearest Sam's Club here.)
Simply pack your items of choice snugly into a box and ship off a bit of encouragement!
I'm proud to partner with DOVE Chocolate PROMISES not only because of fond childhood memories but also because they, along with CARE, support the empowerment of women who grow cocoa in the communities of Ivory Coast. These two organizations build savings and loan associations where the cocoa is sourced, which helps female farmers invest in their farms. What are the ways you encourage the women in your life? Thanks for reading!

kage2015 says
What a kind gesture sending a care package to your sister. Didn't know Dove was sending notes with their chocolate. Makes it even more special.
Jazz says
Yes! I remember the notes inside each wrapper from childhood, though I'm not sure when exactly they began.
meganjohnson86 says
This is such a super cute idea! And such a fun way to bring a smile to someones face!
Rebecca Hicks says
This care package is SO cute! I love how thoughtful it is, and those are some great ideas for a care package for my sister who's in college. 🙂
Jazz says
Thanks, Rebecca! She's far away so it's nice to have something from home.
Anna (@anna_thompson__) says
This is such a great idea! My sister is about to have her first baby and she would love something like this! So cute!
Jazz says
This would be great for a baby shower or "just because" sister gift. Thanks for reading!
Logan Can says
I love this! Sending a pick-me-up is such a sweet idea!
I'm Busy Being Awesome says
I love this idea. Sending packages like this is such a great way to let someone know you care and are thinking of them. I often like to bake cookies and send them as a surprise.
Jazz says
That's a lovely surprise. I like gifting cookies around Christmas time.