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

[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... )

 

[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