Help with Care Packages

[fanofmickey]

Hello, all. I have a co-worker who has a son who has just left for Iraq. We have decided, at our place of employment, that we will be adopting him and his fellow Marines to send care packages to. I have no idea where to start and need advice. What is it that the soldiers need the most over there? Is there anything that we should NOT send? We would like the first package to be a surprise, and may ask them for their "wish list" after that, but need ideas for the initial package. Is there a website that may instruct us on exactly how to ship? I really have no idea where to start, but hey, everything else can be found on the DIS, can't it?? I'm sure this info can be found here, too!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

My brothers best friend is in the air force and we send quite a few packages so far...we usually send him mints that he likes and some chips he likes...a deck of card sbecuase he said they get bored..cds...we sent a couple of those ice packs that get cold after you break them (sorry dont know the "real" name)...he never asks for anything, but said his favorite thing was the powdered drink mixes we got--they had crystal lite and ice tea..he loves it!

 

[powellrj]

go to the post office and get some priority mail boxes and customs forms (these are all free) Priority boxes do get there alot faster than just regular. It also helps to send smaller packages instead of HUGE ones. Lots of time they don't have storage for a lot, so I would send a package a week. Take the zipcode to the post office and they will tell you what you can and can't send. Sometimes its stange items. I know coffee was on DS's list. Usually it pork, porn and firearms.

In an average package I would send black gym socks, hard candy, microwave popcorn, easy mac and cheese, magazines (lots of magazines, I subscribe to lots of them just to send them to him) the local newspaper, razor blades, zip ties ( he said those really came in handy), powdered gatorade, pencils to give the local kids. Make sure you fill the box full and I always put the magazines around the sides and the socks at the bottom and top so it kept things from moving around.

 

[ljb9539]

Surprisingly - I have been told they are looking for DVDs - my GM is part of the Family Support Group here for our National Guard and many of them have laptops - but are lacking in DVD's to watch - we are having a DVD collect with one of our radio stations just for that.

Remember with the travel - anything that will melt - will melt - so stay away from chocalte and such. Last time we sent a care pacakge - we sent things like the cross word puzzles, disposable camera they can send home, nice paper to write to faily and friends (I know many have access to email - but still) - and also supplies for the kids they see (paper, crayons, etc) - hard candy - and magazines/books...

hope that helps.

Laura

 

[Auggietina]

Care Package Ideas
"Surviving the Sandstorms”- Eye wash; Nasal spray; Chapstick; Bandana; goggles/sun glasses; etc


“Laundry Load”- Laundry soap (‘sample size’ or Tide tablets kind) to pack in with their clothes….in case there are no washer/dryers; Fabric softener sheets; clean socks and undershirts; Febreeze


“Lotta Java”- Tea; Cocoa; Coffee singles; creamer; sugar; International Coffee tins; cookies for dunking in coffee


“Thanks a Million!!”- Things that may “seem” expensive. Ex: Grey Poupon; electronic game of “Who wants to be a Millionaire?”; small amount of cash; wrap items in green tissue paper.


“Hang in There!”- Stuffed animal monkey; Banana bread; Banana chips; Banana pudding (the kind that doesn’t have to be refrigerated); Monkey’s in a Barrel game; card with a monkey on it.


“A Day at the Beach!”- sunscreen; beach towel; beach snacks; flip flop sandals (shower shoes); aloe vera gel;


“Medicine Cabinet”- aspirin; band-aids; Neosporin cream; A&D ointment; cold medicine; alka seltzer; Rolaids; etc.


“Staying Healthy”- nutrition/health bars (ex: Powerbar; Tigers Milk; Myoplex); vitamins; Nutri-grain bars; Gatorade or other sports drink (to stay hydrated);


“MRE/Mess Hall Survival Kit”- restaurant size condiment packs of: bbq sauce, mustard, ketchup, mayo, relish, salt. Pepper, taco sauce, ranch, cheese in a can dip, etc


“Correspondence Carton”- notebook paper; stationery; pens; pencils; stickers (who knows they may even play with these!!); envelopes, address book (filled out already of course); camera (with a note to send back once it is full);


“Action Hero’s”- Powerbars; squirt guns; Red Bull drinks; small Army figurines; comic books; Gatorade; Red Bull drinks; etc


“To Be A Kid Again”- silly string; bubbles; small bouncy balls; hacky sacks; brain teaser toys (rubix cube, etc); deck of cards; dominoes; slinky, Frisbee’s; Pez w/ dispenser; Nerf balls; sand box toys (pail, small shovel, etc);


“Bathroom in a Box”- TOILET PAPER!!! (the soft stuff); razor refills; foot powder; bars of soap; fresh, clean, soft washcloth; travel size shampoo/conditioner; toothpaste; toothbrush; etc


“Ruck Sack Snack Pack”- packed full of your loved one’s favorite snacks….possibilities endless. Doritos; M&M’s; nuts; chips; dips; crackers; jelly beans; beef jerky; gum; etc.


“Breakfast on the GO”- mutrigrain bars; instant oatmeal cups; small boxes of cereal; pop tarts; Hostess donuts: Otis Spunk Meyer muffins; cocoa; coffee; Tang;


“Tube O Tasties”- Just as something different…send a package in a tube instead of a square box. Make sure the parameters are acceptable though.


“Stress Reliever”- back scratcher; bubble wrap; yo-yo’s; bubbles; squeezy tension ball;


“Sloppy Kisses”- since we know chocolate melts over there….send a bunch of Hershey’s kisses. Bound to be “sloppy kisses!”


“I’m Nuts About You”- peanuts; cashews; pistachios; peanut butter cookies; any candy or cookies with nuts in them; Nutter Butter’s; Peanut Lover’s Chex mix; Fiddle Faddle with peanuts


“Rock On” or “Charlie ROCK”- pop rocks; music cd’s


“Chili Today, Hot Tamale”- hot tamales (candy); small cans of chili; red pepper flakes (like the ones at pizza parlors); salsa sunflower seeds; Cajun flavor Pringles; Spicy chex mix; Boston red hots; peppered beef jerky; taco bell hot sauce packets; Extreme Doritos; chili powder; nacho cheese sauce in a can; Tums/Rolaids , Jalapeño Ritz;


“And this little piggy went to the sandbox”- (foot care kit)- foot powder; Dr, Scholl’s boot inserts; foot lotion; foot file; fresh, clean socks; toe nail clippers; scrub brush; odor eater balls for shoes/boots; foot soaks (either include a small bucket or large Ziploc bags to soak feet it)


“How do you eat your OREOS??!!”- regular Oreos; peanut butter Oreos; double stuff Oreos; low fat Oreos; chocolate filled Oreos; chocolate covered Oreos; holiday Oreos


“Muchas Gracias…Nachos Supreme”- Doritos &/or Fritos &/or any corn tortilla chips; Mexican Velveeta; salsa (wrapped in bubble wrap); small can of olives (don’t forget the can opener); bean dip; nacho cheese dip; small can of green chilies; jar of jalapenos (wrapped in bubble wrap); taco seasoning; small paper plates or bowls (so they can make their nachos); taco sauce (especially easy are those condiment packets from Taco Bell); You could also send the sauces from the various Mexican dinner kits (they also have tortilla’s in those dinner kits that are sealed so they would probably get there without molding or drying out); Taco Bell Nacho Supreme kit


“Sweet Tooth”- Nerds; Gummy Bears; Laffy Taffy; Bubble Gum; Tootsie Rolls; Lolli pops; (any candy that won’t melt)


“Pamper Party” (for females)- Feminine hygiene products; shampoo/conditioner; hair barrettes and scrunchies (same color as their hair); facial scrub &/or soap; facial mask; lotion; shower gel; razors; facial moisturizer; tweezers; nail care kit; toner; special facial products (alpha hydroxy; eye cream; etc);


“Congrats on your promotion”- congratulation party favors; all your loved ones favorites snacks; sparkled cider (wrapped in bubble wrap of course); etc.


“For the Fisherman”- Goldfish crackers; tuna pouches; canned smoked salmon; cans of sardines; gummy worms; Go Fish card game; Field & Stream magazine; electronic fishing rod game; Sponge Bob Square Pants stuffed toy; fishing game toy (made by several different toy companies. Has a small fishing pole with a magnet on the end. Fish have magnets on their mouths);


“Say CHEEEESE!”- disposable cameras; cheese dip; Doritos; Cheetos; Cheese nips; Better Cheddars; Velveeta;


“Kick Back & Relax”- Dominoes; playing cards; magazines; books; music cd’s; crossword puzzles; jigsaw puzzles; word searches; hand held electronic games; squirt guns; water balloons; bubbles; hacky sacks; Nerf balls; board games (Axis & Allies, Clue, Trivial Pursuit, etc);


“Christmas in July”- wrap everything in Christmas wrapping paper; peppermint flavored hard candies;


“Italian Stallion”- Italian cheese Ghardetto’s; Pizza-licious Pringles; Pepperoni pizza Combo’s; small Boboli pizza bread; pizza sauce (for dipping Boboli); canned Ravioli, spaghetti, lasagna, etc;


“American Classics”- Pez with dispensers; Cracker Jacks; Lifesavers; Necco Wafers; Pop Rocks; Nerds; Good & Plenty; Candy Necklaces; Candy cigarettes


“Deployed on Thanksgiving”- canned turkey; instant mashed potato cups; hard breadsticks; gravy in a jar (wrapped in bubble wrap); Hostess apple pies; small can of corn (or other veggie); something special to cheer them up on Thanksgiving (pictures from home; magazines; tape recorded tape; small scrapbook; etc)