Care package items..let's start a list!

[Bunchkin]

Let's all share the items we are putting into the care packages that many of us are sending. It will give all of us ideas of things to send that we didn't think of.
Food, personal hygiene, fun stuff, magazines.......

Here's what I've included in my first box:

Ragu pasta express
Mini Oreo cookies in a resealable bag
Quaker instant oatmeal in individual cups
Skippy peanut butter in a new squeeze tube
Hickory Farms summer sausage beef stick
Granola bars
SweeTarts-Easter themed
Trail mix in little packages
Bag of Combos
Pantene 2 in 1 shampoo
Lip balm
Dental floss
Deoderant
Roll of toilet paper
Individual packets of tissues - Tones brand, they are strong enough to be a paper towel
Q-tips
Baby Powder
Small container of hand/face wipes
Small bottle of bubbles
People magazine
Nascar magazine
Letter from my family
Coloring pages from DD - and a Sponge Bob sticker
post cards with encouraging words on them- some showed our local area, downtown Chicago
envelopes with our return address on them

And I put everything into Ziplocs.



Who's next??


:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

[wovenwonder]

Just wanted to say that I thought the 'bubbles' idea was cute! What a great way for them to release the stresses of the day.
:D

[Mishetta]

What a great thread! Thanks for starting it Bunchkin!

Along with most of the items you mentioned, I included in mine:

Playing cards
Jump Rope
Hand held games (you have to press buttons to make a ring go around a fish's tail, trying to get all the rings around the tail ~ this is all encased in water) DON'T WORRY, SEALED IT IN DOUBLE PLASTIC BAGGIES.
Comfy insoles for shoes/boots
Soup in styrofoam cups (just add water)
Can of VEGETARIAN baked beans (hope someone has can opener)
Nutter Butter cookies
Gold fish crackers
Roasted nuts
Roll on deodorant
Sunscreen
Personal note thanking them for what they are doing for my family & my country.

Oh darn it....I can't remember what else...wish I had a copy of the Customs form I had to fill out!

[MelanieC]

So far I have sent two packages to DH here is what I included:


1st Box:
3 boxes girl scout cookies
package of pay day candy bars
3 USA Today papers
1 Free Press (our local free paper for our small town)
Family Pictures that we had done the weekend before he left
printout of his favorite Dallas Cowboy Column
his Dallas Cowboy Weekly paper
Drawings and cards from the kids
A couple letters from me
Cards that my Girl Scout troop drew for him

2nd Box:
envelopes, pen & pad of writing paper in ziplog bag.
lotion
blistex and chapstick
package of Pay Day Candy Bars
Twizzlers
Slim Jims
Sports Illustrated
2 USA Today Papers
1 Free Press
2 disposable cameras
1 pop up light ** he really wanted this for his tent**
extra batteries for the pop up light, gameboy & CD Player
1 can of mixed nuts
letters, cards and drawings from all of us
Pictures of the kids
deck of cards
smiley face and sponge bob stickers from the kids


Melanie

[cgcw]

I sent a 6 pack of bubbles too. It seems like everyone (no matter what age) enjoys bubbles.

I included a couple of package of peeps -- blue, white and pink (closest I could get to red). We sent packages of individual size wipes. Cans of sardines. Crackers, playing cards, tea bags. Everything was packed in a ziploc.

In the new box we're working on there are vanilla wafers and animal crackers and a can a mixed nuts. I added some packages of soup mix -- the kind you just add water too. Yesterday, my daycare kids colored pictures of cheeseburgers which we'll include too. Not the real thing, but hopefully will bring a smile.

Thanks for the other ideas shared here!

[nativetxn]

Uh Oh, Melanie, you're not supposed to send Slim Jims, they have pork. Oh well...too bad ;)

I sent just about the same things y'all did:

individually wrapped tissues
Blistex and Chapstick
Teddy Grahams with frosting (individual packets)
one use cameras
sunscreen
Listerine mouth care strips
animal crackers
beef jerky
cheese and crackers(individual packets)
Lever 2000 antiseptic wipes
Eye drops
ritz peanut butter and crackers, ind. packs
Breakfast minis
phone card
1.75 ounce packages of sunflower seeds, honey roasted peanuts and cashews
Chocolate chip cookies (individual packs)
Assorted wonka candies (not chocolate)
Jolly Ranchers lolly pops
Chrystal Light
Country Tyme lemonade

I haven't sent any magazines or anything yet. I also addressed an envelope to myself and put an index card inside. I wrote a letter asking them to just drop that envelope in the return mail so that I will know that they got the package. I encouraged them to write anything they want or need on the index card. I used a thank you card as my letter and wrote on the card itself.

All of this was put into 3 separate packages that went to two marines.

Katholyn

[SuiteDisney]

Uh Oh, I sent Slim Jims, too... great big ones! I sent my care package out a week ago Monday, and they didn't seem too concerned about the customs form. I just put "toiletries and paper goods." I hope it's not a problem. The "shoe size" box was also more for Paul Bunyan shoes. :rolleyes: If they send it back, I'll just break it up into a couple boxes and send it again.

3 bars bath soap
4 rolls toilet paper
Q-tips
Hydrocortizone cream
deodorant
3-pk microwave popcorn (it was on a list I saw - I hope they have a microwave.

medicated body powder
2 crossword puzzle books
3 snack boxes of Cracker Jacks
shampoo
hand sanitizer
lotion
shaving cream
tin of roasted peanuts
2 disposable shavers
after shave gel
salad seasoning
lemon pepper seasoning
25 burned music CDs
bite sized tootsie rolls
antacid chewing gun
cinnamon-sugar mix
2 decks playing cards
Blistex
Lip-Ex lip balm
dental floss
4 - AA batteries
3 pk Velamints
cinnamon mints
choco-mints
2 pks Halls Fruit Breezers throat drops
bag of jelly beans
bag of chocolate Riesen
bag of Werther's butterscotch
book of ghost stories
4 magazines
10 long Slim Jims
3 pks gum
sunscreen
bandaids
paper and pens

[sncbird]

Here's what we've done so far:

Box 1 - A snack package to Bobby, Patty's son:

2 Boxes of Triscuits
1 Box of Ritz crackers
Snack size packs of Oreos, Chips O Hoy, Nutter butters, fritos, potato chips, etc.... Granola Bars, Peanut Butter Crackers, gum, lollipops & Non-chocolate Easter Candy.

Box 2 - Solider we adopted from OMP. His commander said their Battalion was in dire need of the personal care items - of course I had to include snacks!!!
Hand sanitizer
Wipes
moisturizing eye drops
lip balm
hand lotion
Q-tips
foot insoles
foot powder
deodorant
soap
toothbrushes and toothpaste
Crossword puzzle book
package of pens
cards and dice
all the snacks I listed for Bobby's Box

Box 3 - The Female Soldier my Browine troop is working on:
Besides the things mentioned above we added:
Hair clips
Pony Holders
Candles
Nail files
Stationary
stuff from Bath and Body works!!!

You guys have given me even more ideas!! I love the bubbles idea!!

Thanks Bunckin for this post!!

[MelanieC]

DH just e-mailed and said that he could use powdered lemonaid and tea. He say's he is getting tired of drinking water.

He also wanted a
soap holder, toothbrush holder and something to put all of his tolietries in.

I also forgot to mention that I sent Easy crossword puzzles.

[delswife]

Wow, this is a great thread, very helpful!

The first four boxes I sent all had the same thing in them. Three to the 82nd Airborne and one to the marine Patty gave me.

disposable camera
pen
paper
envelopes
candy
slim jims
hand lotion
hand sanatizer
eye drops
baby wipes
hot sause
seasoned salt
jokes from the internet
sunflower seeds

The guys I work with found out that I was doing this and they all want to start adding to the boxes I am sending this week. I didnt realise how many of them served in the military! One guy was in the vietnam war and is very excited about it!!

So far the new boxes only have
toliet paper
candy (two big bags of blow pops)
q-tips
nascar magazine

But I just started them, so they should be full soon.
My daughter and I are trying to gather 81 letters to send, theres 80 guys in the 82nd and 1 for the marine Patty sent me. We hope to have that by the weekend.

[Bunchkin]

I'm so glad to see that there are such great care packages going out to all our troops!!!!
YAYYYYYY!!!!!:) :)

There have been tons of great ideas listed!!!

And isn't there a Slim Jim that is all beef?? I thought I saw them at the store. Maybe it was another brand??

Let's keep these great ideas rolling!!!!
:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[TwinMom7]

This is absoultely AWESOME!!! :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce:

I've just sent my 8th box this week - 1 box per week for Bobby and friends.

A few weeks ago, Bobby's friend Nick called his wife. She asked him if he'd received any of her boxes and he said, "not yet, but that's ok - I'm just eating Bobby's stuff." :D

So all of the goodies you're sending will be shared by many!!!

I just read the report in today's paper - from the reporter traveling with Bobby's unit and he said that one of the Marines had received a box of Girl Scout Cookies - and several of them were sharing the cookies for "breakfast".

[Mishetta]

I forgot to mention but I also sent Slim Jims & mine were all beef.

[WDWLVR]

I've got two boxes ready to go (will go to the post office tomorrow) for Bobby and Mike. They include:

Go Snacks - Cheetos
Go Snacks - Pretzels
Go Snacks - Funyuns
Go Snacks - Doritos
Box of Triscuits
2 cans of easy cheese
6 pack of tic tacs
Chap Stick
Coppertone Face Stick
Eye Drops
Ultra Wet Ones Big Wipes
Disposable Camera
yo-yo
mini football

[CourtasanSatine]

I have sauce packets if anyone needs or wants them

[jamsmom]

Question for powdered lemonade and tea. What size aqre you buying to send. Are you sending the ones that mix with water w/ 1-2 teaspoons? Should I include plastic silverware?


Here is what I have sent Titus thus far in several boxes:

hard candy
itty bitty hand santitizer
several travel baby wipes
Dove wipes
Lever 200 wipes
Bath clothes (about 5" X 7")
4 pk Lever sopa
1 Lava soap (real sm bar)
Sunblock
Sun stick
throat lozenges
Battleship hand held game
5 different chapsticks/blistex
sm. envelopes
1 pad of paper
fruit cups
4 flea collars for the ankles
2 packs moleskin
8 sm kleenex packs
numerous listerine-type breath strips w/ different falvors
pert champoo- travle size
deck of cards
2 eye drops
small travel aleve
baseball magazine
vanilla wafers
big box variety packs of 6 to a pack of fig newtons, oreas, chips a hoy

car magazine
football magazine
Discover magazine
People magazine
Ritz bits
sm rdg light w/ batteries and extra bulbs
word search
altoids
Gummy Army men (like gummy bears, but green like the toys kids play with and edible)
4 candy sticks
cheese crackers


Starting of next box: little cans of potted meat, ham, foot powder, dorities in a can, tabasco type sauce...

I wrapped some of this in bubble wrap. They can have fun popping the bubbles :)

I also wrote in the first box sent that whatever he didn't like or didn't need, to pass it around to see if anyone else could use it.

[nativetxn]

Carol, can you send ham? I thought pork products were prohibited.

The drink mix I sent comes in the little tubs that makes 2 quarts each, I think. I didn't send spoons.

[jamsmom]

OH... I am glad you said that. I completely forgot. They are the little bitty ones and I was going to include crackers.

[ead79]

Let's see what I can remember off the top of my head:

gum
M&M's
Twinkies
Jolly Ranchers
individual cookie packages (Oreos, Nutter Butters, Chips Ahoy)
individual chip packages (Fritos, Doritos, Lays, Cheetos)
ramen noodles
soap (WDW)
lotion (WDW)
shampoo (WDW)
toothbrush/paste (WDW)
granola bars
hot cocoa packets
coffee packets
instant hand sanitizer
little cereal boxes (Kelloggs ones--Frosted Flakes, Pops, etc.)
tuna with cracker lunch kits
peanut butter, jelly, and cracker kits
"Big Chicken" postcard (landmark from my hometown)--I wrote a letter to both of my soldiers on these

That's all I can think of.

[MelanieC]

I didn't hear that you couldn't send pork? Why is that?


Melanie

[JC2]

You all have the greatest ideas! :) Thanks for posting them.

The box I sent included:

tea bags
hot chocolate packets
salt/pepper
chapstick
disposable camera
Discovery Magazine
National Geographic magazine
jellybeans
pudding
triscuits
pop-top can of beanie weenies
pop-top can of ravioli
tuna/crackers/mayo/relish pack
a small legos kit
Hall's vitamin C drops
popcorn
sunscreen

[Bunchkin]

I just remembered something I forgot to state earlier.

A small hand held fan and extra batteries for it.

[CourtasanSatine]

I'm back in action and the lists are helping.My mom got me a name from a co-worker

[nativetxn]

Melanie, I believe that it is because of religious restrictions in that part of the world. Pork is considered unclean. I could be completely wrong, though and it wouldn't even be the first time.

[dandave]

DH said they had pork in their MREs, when he was over there. You guys have some great ideas!

[dandave]

I've been searching around trying to find an answer about the pork. I just read on one site "NO PORK". Does anyone know of a good site that has the definitive Do's and Do Not's?

(DH's memory could be fading. After all, he will be the big 40 in July...:o ;) )

[MelanieC]

DH never mentioned the no pork, but when I was at Wal-Mart today I looked at a box of slim jims. It had beef and chicken in it.

Melanie

[jamsmom]

This site also gives some ideas. Some are good, some are more for family members

http://www.militarycarepackage.org/

[dandave]

Thanks jamsmom! From your link, I found a great list of what is prohibited and what is recommended! I went here:

http://www.operationshoebox.com/

and clicked on the <b>what to send</b> link.

Prohibited items:
* Aerosol Cans
* Firearms and Pyrotechnics
* Flammable Liquids or lighters
* Any matter depicting nude or semi-nude persons, pornographic, or sexual items
* Alcoholic beverages or materials used in the production of alcoholic beverages (distilling material, hops, malts, yeast, etc.)
* Pork or pork by-products
* Any matter containing nonauthorized political material. This refers to material that could be used to impose our political view on the host country. It does not prohibit mailing a US flag or a picture containing a flag to a service member.
* Religious Material contrary to Islamic faith. This refers to material that speaks out negatively against Islam and material sent in bulk in an effort to convert or evangelize. It is acceptable to send a Bible or religious tapes or books to a service member.

[MaryAnnDVC]

Thank you so much for these lists and links!

Getting a package together now for nephew. This is his request list:

DVD’s
Rice Krispee treats
Pop Tarts Strawberry Swirl
Baby wipes
Foot powder
Books
Lemon/Lime Gatorade powder mix

[Mermaid02]

I mailed 2 packages this morning:

Beef Jerky
Slim Jims
LifeSavers
Tissues
Baby Wipes
Sponge Bob bandaids
eye drops
Dental Gum (in case they can't brush!)
Potato Stix
Cookies
Tic Tacs
Deoderant

I think that's about it. I sent one to a Marine and one To the Air Force!!

It feels really good doesn't it??

[zurgswife]

Is there a limit on the SIZE of the box ????i just thought the weight was important.....

I'm not planning on using a shoe box but a box that is much bigger....

So far we've got
wipes
starburst
Slim Jims
chapstick
popcorn
granola bars
soup in hand (microwave soups)
tootsie pops
good and plenty
Sweet tarts
paper back books

After reading this thread I think I'll pick up some powdered drink mix tomorrow....

[CourtasanSatine]

I need ideas for my package,think Wal-mart in terms of shopping

[Mermaid02]

My dh's friend's wife said the smaller packages are getting there much faster than the larger ones.

[Ted and Holly]

I heard on the radio today that the troops want flea collars. Apparently the sand fleas are really bad and they want them for their ankles.

Holly

[FantasticDisFamily]

I have 4 boxes in the process of being packed in my living room right now. Three are from my GS troop to their adopted service people and one is from us to BIL.

Troop boxes
LOTS of Girl Scout cookies (this was their Gift of Caring project)
Lifesavers
Starburst
Bunches of hand made cards and letters

BIL from us (at his request)
Laundry detergent and ziploc bags to carry small amounts (I'm assuming to the laundry? but given we don't know exactly where he's based I guess I shouldn't make any assumptions!)

AAA & AA batteries

pistachios

(one of the troop boxes is going to him also so there will be plenty of cookies headed his way too)

Deb

[zurgswife]

Thanks Mermaid....

[Justhope]

In my box that i'm working on now so far this is what I have

cheese nips
individual bags of choc chip cookies
peanuts
eyedrops
beef jerky
peanut butter crackers
phone card
disposable camera
baby wipes
toilet paper
sunscreen
lip balm w/ sunscreen
jelly beans
peeps
I use the toilets paper as filler it worked pretty good in my last package .

I also talked to someone last night who was working on care packages for a unit?? of 45 , they had gotten lots of stuff donated
tooth brushes and tooth paste from the dentist......eye drops and other things like this from dr. I thought this was a good idea if you had a large no. of boxes you were doing...

I like seeing what everyone else is putting in their packages.....you guys have lots of good ideas.


Hope

[jamsmom]

Has anyne thought of one of the travel size FreBreeze or a small box of Bouce type sheets to help things smell "fresh"

What are your ideas on this?

[nativetxn]

I thought about the dryer sheets. Febreeze is liquid and has the potential to spill all over everything, so it would have to be placed in a plastic bag. I think I would stick with the dryer sheets.

I have included a phone card in all of the packages I've sent, now I'm wondering how much help that will be. If these soldiers are at the front, there are no phones. I suppose they can use them when they go back to base. At any rate, I send them :)

[MamaQuack]

Is there a central address for shipping packages? We don't know anyone serving in Iraq but would sure love to send packages if that is possible. WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN!
:Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce:

[CourtasanSatine]

I'll add something like either a magazine with Oscar coverage or printouts from the show

[dandave]

We all went shopping together for our package. Between the 4 of us we picked out way too much stuff, but we had a blast. :D :D

Aside from lots of snack foods, we also got:

A stick of waterproof/sweatproof sunblock
Tylenol Sinus (non-drowsy)
Antifungal Cream (athlete's foot and "male itch"), which DH says
they'll probably really appreciate
Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream, which I would love even at
room temp (it's premade and canned)
Dental floss
Listerene mouth strips
Starkist Lunch Kits


edited to add:
I just saw on Fox that these guys aren't getting to bathe. That's why they really, really need the baby wipes. They can use a little water to get their faces, but are discouraged from using too much water for bathing. I'll have to add some baby wipes to my package.

[jenjie]

Bumping to add that I heard they are requesting panty hose, to help protect against sand fleas. A thought I had as well, Folgers makes "tea bag" type individual coffee packets that you just dip in hot water. They are individually vacuum packed so you don't have to worry about the sand getting into the coffee.

My ds4 is sitting here giving me all kinds of ideas - some thoughtful (like chocolate, which he hates but knows everyone else loves) some not so good. But listening to his silly ideas gave me one or two of my own.

I'm guessing no chocolate b/c of melting. But do you think they might like a small bottle of chocolate sauce, just to flavor some stuff? Or not?

Another strange idea, I liked the ideas of magazines, bubbles etc. Would a few small sand toys be inappropriate? :p

One more question. Does anyone know if with toiletries, if there is a request for scented vs unscented? Just wondering if scented stuff attracts the sand fleas or any bugs more.

I am making a list now for my first package. A young lady from our church is over there now. I'd like to send her some things.

[jenjie]

One more idea which I heard was CEREAL. I think I'll get the variety pack with all the single serving boxes.

[FantasticDisFamily]

Hi all,

Came back from the post office just moments ago and sent off 4 boxes to various folks - some family and some adopted through Pembo and others.

Here is what I was told at least for our post office. The boxes can be sealed, in fact all 3 of the guys working thought it was odd we'd heard to take them in unsealed. I explained and he said they had no official word on that. Nor had they been told no hand sanitizer but that it made sense under the potentially hazardous clause.

No limit on box size, I had one that was fairly good size - about 24x18x18 and weighed just over 13 pounds - no problem. (it was full of Girl Scout cookies and there was some discussion about whether or not it would make it! all good natured)

Priority mail or regular parcel post. Send it parcel post. I was going to send one of the packages at least priority mail and was told it wouldn't make any difference. The post office has committed to moving APO and FPO address items to the distribution center in a "rapid manner" but once it got there quite a bottle neck has developed. Also their reports were that once the packages were hitting the overseas depots they were being distributed quite rapidly depending on where the service person was - obviously those on the front lines and moving every day are not getting packages as quickly but are getting letters very quickly. Now remember this was a postal employee and he did not give me specific time frames!

One last thing - he did mention that the volume is getting so heavy there has been talk of "limiting who can send" pacakages. Red Cross has already been told to suspend operations. I said no way could you get family and friends to stop sending. To which he agreed but said in the future they MAY start asking the relationship. So I guess all of those "adopted sons" might have to become "nephews"! ;)

Deb

[WendyZ]

Finally sent my first one....

I had....

Newspapers
Magazines
Candy
Slim Jims
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Lotions
Wipes
Dog balls
Dog bones
Floss
Phone Card

I believe that's it...now to get started on the next one! It felt nice to help out. I'm sure they must love getting stuff from home...I know I would.;)
It was very reasonable to send it too! I was surprised, especially for how heavy it was!;) :)

[jamsmom]

Regarding realtionship to soldier:


Well, Titus can always be my cousin's/niece's boyfriend :) Since Ashli and I have the last name..... I just became a relative.

[jamsmom]

Rock-n-Robin posted a link to 1001st and they have a wish list:

Our wish list:

TO COME HOME SOON!

Toilet Paper - Beef Jerky - Baby Wipes - Personal Hygiene Items

Stationary - Pens - Skittles - Compressed Air for Laptops -

Books - Newspapers - Sports Illustrated Magazines - Twin Air Mattresses

Foot Powder - AA and D Batteries - Random sized watch batteries

Travel Size Alarm Clocks - AM/FM Radios with Antennas

Motorola hand held two-way radios - Black Cotton Socks - Board Games

TIDE dissolvable laundry tablets - Extension cords w/ground adapter (various sizes)

Q-tips - Shower shoes - towels - Trail mix - Cold medicine medications etc...




Depending on where your soldier is, some of these might not be realistic.

[Pugdog007]

What's up with the beef jerky and foot powder? Hmm. I'm putting my first package together for my adopted soldier (thanks Twinmom).

Is this unit (Bobby's unit) still moving? I guess I'm trying to think logically about what this entails and should I send things... I'd like to send a small fan... that they are going to have to lug around?

[UncleKyle]

These are all great ideas, thanks! I'm putting my package together as we type :)

[cinmell]

This is what we put in our 1st care package:

Visine
Toothpaste
Sunblock
Triscuits
Individual pringles (they come in plastic containers so they won't get squished ;) )
Chapstick
Wipes (Baby wipes and antibacterial)
Purell
Batteries
Tissue
Peanutbutter crackers
Powdered drink mixes
Ziplocs
Cereal

A thank you letter!

[FantasticDisFamily]

Great idea on the Pringles! I was debating how to get a little "junk food" over without it turning into dust!

Thanks!
Deb

[jenjie]

Our first care package is all packed and waiting for a trip to the post office! This is a non-foods package.

(for a woman)

wipes
Dove facial cloths
travel size toothpaste, toothbrush
Crest "toothpaste" gum
eye drops
chapstick with spf 15
sunscreen
2 or 3 different moisturizers (My sil who sells Mary Kay donated them :))
lip gloss (more Mary Kay)
beanie baby prayer bear, as a reminder that she is in our prayers every day
pictures and notes drawn by my kids
letter from me
self-addressed envelope, as someone here suggested

[J&D]

Here are some items that I have sent and haven't seen listed yet:

Smuckers Snackers- includes peanut butter and strawberry or grape jelly with crackers (no refrigeration needed)
Charmin To Go- a small dispenser of toilet paper
comics from the Sunday paper
pocket packs of Kleenex
breakfast bars
eyeglass wipes

[FantasticDisFamily]

We also put the comics from Sunday paper in one of our packages. Like that Charmin to Go idea...;) and just what marketer came up with that name! :rolleyes:

Deb

[jenjie]

Comics? That's a great idea!

[Bunchkin]

Comics!! What a cool idea!!!!:cool: :cool:

Everyone has had such excellent ideas!!!
Great job by all on the care packages!!!:) :)

[KathiWithAnI]

Does anyone know if ALL, SOME or NONE of the camps have access to microwaves? I saw some neat things to send today, but don't think they'd be too good if not heated...
So far I have:
playing cards
suntan lotion ( sweatproof according to the bottle)
pudding to go ( in the tubes)
a 'catch' type game
tylenol
advil
Halls fruit breezes throat lozenges
small packs of tissues
bubbles
Easter shaped sweet tarts
mini tootsie pops
chapstick ( this was on sale, so I bought about 5!)
small crossword/seek-n-find word games book
letter from my oldest ( he's 10)

want to get drink mixes, but the 4 kids were bugging me, so I'll finish shopping tomorrow! LOL

Also thought I'd include a picture of my 4 kids as a sample of the lives they are protecting here!! ( good or bad idea??)

Kathi

[jenjie]

I think it's a great idea to send a picture of your kids! You could also have them draw a picture for your soldier.

Not all have microwave facilities. My soldier is flying an Apache helicopter. Her mom said she doesn't have any kind of access to anything using heat, such as microwave, hot plate or anything like that.

[UncleKyle]

Anyone know if there is a weight limit, I have list of quite a few items to send. What is the best diminsions of a box? I'm thinking the first box might be too heavy so I might have to send 2 boxes.

[KathiWithAnI]

Thanks Jen!
I'll wait until I ( hopefully) hear back after this package is sent.... I'm hoping mine will have a minute to maybe write a wish list specific to the camp...

[jenjie]

Uncle Kyle, I'm splitting mine up. I also mailed non-food items separately. I didn't want any soapy/deodorant type smell to get into the food.

They're saying that Patty (Twinmom 7) recommends the #7 size Priority Mail box. It would be like a large shoe box size, say for a pair of men's boots.

[UncleKyle]

mine is just a little bit bigger than a mens boot shoe box...think that is ok?

[jenjie]

I'm sure it would be fine!

[UncleKyle]

Thanks! hope my friend gets the package soon :)

[Pugdog007]

OK mine was much larger than a shoebox. I think I may have sent too much stuff. I mailed it today for $19.50, and I did have to fill out customs forms. They were easy though, just listed very basic info such as "toiletries, snacks."