For those that like them, how about candles? They are easy to make, all you need is some wax (even from old candles), crayons for color, string (dipped in the hot wax, curled around a pencil on one end, weighted with a coin for the bottom of the candle), scent (or unscented – some people like candles but gag @ the smell), maybe one of their favorites (can get samples sometimes, but oils work best), and a quart or half gallon waxed paper juice or milk carton. This also should prob be done in one of those disposable foil pans.

Melt the wax, adding the crayons, scent (or not). Stir. Cut off the top of the carton where it starts to fold, so that you have just the square. Rest the pencil with the string (wick) on top (the weighted end should be at the bottom of the carton. Pour a little wax in to fix the wick in place in the center of the carton. Give it a little time to solidify (about 20 min-1/2 hr. Stick the whole thing in the fridge or freezer if you want to move it along more quickly).

Get some ice cubes from the tray and fill the carton with them. Stir the wax again (the wax should be hot enough to pour). Then pour it into the carton over the ice cubes. Let it cool & set (give it a couple hrs minimum, overnight is best, or do the fridge thing. You don’t want to stick this in the freezer or the water in the carton will re-ice). Peel away the carton.

The ice will have created pockets in the candle and it looks pretty cool, certainly not like a factory candle.

For your friend in prison, baked goods sound like the way to go, perhaps lots of cookies he can share. Or a cd?