...I've been looking through all of these forums and reading everything I can get my hands on about shopping, gifts, soveniers...etc....how do I get it home????? I need some magic spell to shrink everything down...is there an option to ship it home...(ie. FEDEX,UPS?) Thanks

At most major stores, you can have them ship it for you. Otherwise, collect everything you've bought, box it up and ship it home by UPS, FedEx or any other delivery service.

how much does something like that cost?

That is a little like asking "how long is a string". It depends on how much it weighs, of course.

I always pack a collapsible duffle bag. On the way home, the laundry goes in the duffle and the new treasures go in the "good" suitcase.

I do the same as Anonymous.

I also bring a duffle bag in my suitcase. Since you are allowed two pieces of luggage, it usually works out fine. Be careful about weight allowances since 50 lbs is the new limit. I have also used a well packed and taped cardboard box as my second piece of luggage.
UPS uses a combination of weight, size and distance to calculate shipping charges. If you are talking about Alaska and Hawaii, the post office is probably cheaper if you don't mind the wait. From lower 48 to Alaska, for example, you have to do UPS Air. Ground rates do not apply. If the store will ship it for you, that is probably the best idea unless you are good at packing. (UPS requires 2" of packing material around all items and trains their staff to deny damage claims.)

The duffel bag is a great idea that I also have used for years. Although there are weight restrictions on airlines, I have sometimes found that ground staff will agree to waive the charge if you offer to check the duffel rather than bringing it on board as one of your carry-on pieces. (Assuming the duffel is of correct size, etc to be taken on board). This works best if the bag is not actually very heavy, i.e. has only clothing.

Don't forget about Mailboxes Etc where you can pack you own stuff and ship if via a variety of options, picking the cheapest/fastest. Take a look at http://www.mbe.com/ for locations in the US and worldwide.

For breakable items, I would actually use a credit card and pay the store to ship and insure, as they will ship it well-packed and you can make a claim through them and/or our credit card company if necessary.

Be careful using Mailboxes Etc. They are now owned by UPS and make most of their $$ via packaging fees.

That duffel bag idea is genius...can you believe I was excepted to Northwestern and NYU for next spring?...haha...Thanks for all of your help!

pardon me, but no.
Do you mean you were "accepted" by those colleges?

(I pick on my husband, too.)

Haha...see what I mean?