Military Care Package Ideas

[SoonerKate]

I'm putting together a package of stuff to send to a friend of mine who'll be in Iraq until about May. I sent him a package of Christmas-y stuff last month, but now I'm just looking for fun/useful stuff to send.

I've already been asked specifically for hot sauce, barbecue sauce, spice and drink mixes, and I know I'm going to send some pictures, board game keychains, a boresaw (is that what the rifle cleaner things are called?), and some underarmour heat gear t-shirts.

Any other ideas?

 

[powellrj]

socks, lots of black cotton socks( the sand wears them out quickly), magazines, hard candy, sharpies and pencils (they hand the pencils out to the kids) I will try to think of more things later, my brain hasn't turned on this morning yet!!

 

[SoonerKate]

Will hard candy not melt? Or should I send it packed in another ziploc just in case?

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

I don't know if anyone else suggested it, but DH asked for wipes alot. He sometimes couldn't get a shower for three weeks and the wipes were a lifesaver LOL. He also liked slim jims or beef jerky and those gatorade packets that you just add water to. I sent him some handheld electronic games too, but I had to make sure they had a mute button.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Wipes, chapstick, insect repellent, sunscreen, etc. Very useful and often requested.

Thanks for taking care of one of our soldiers!

 

[Octoberbeauty]

I'm glad you posted this. I just adopted a soldier and I've got to get him a care package in the mail asap. So, I'm very interested in seeing all the responses.

If you're sending them for Christmas, can you wrap the items inside the box?

 

[mallcat]

Our church is sending care packages. We are sending disposable razors, wipes, deodorants, soaps, lotions, small hand held games, sports/outdoors magazines, beef jerkey, slim jims, pringles potato chips and other canned snacks, gummy candies or swedish fish, hard candies, life savers, socks, handkerchiefs, cans or packets of nuts, etc.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

mallcat, I sent DH gummies and he said it melted into one giant sticky mess. He had to ask me what the heck it was lol!

 

[mickeyboat]

Eyeglass lens wipes. You can get them at BJ's. Baby wipes don't do a good job cleaning their glasses.

Denae

 

[PoohnPglet]

Originally posted by Octoberbeauty
I'm glad you posted this. I just adopted a soldier and I've got to get him a care package in the mail asap. So, I'm very interested in seeing all the responses.

If you're sending them for Christmas, can you wrap the items inside the box?

How did you "adopt" a soldier? I would love to do this with my son.

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

I send my DH audio tapes that I make for him. It's usually just me talking about my day and saying goodnight, but I also throw in some of his favorite songs. Another thing he is constantly asking for are pics! He also likes to get beef jerky and trail mix.

Since yours is going to Iraq, I would suggest trail mix, it's high in protein and good for you! I would also suggest crosswords and latest issues of his favortie magazines! Another thing is a poker set!

Last but not least, a great big Thank you card! Signed with from everyone at the DIS!!!

 

[olena]

My sorority chapter does these packages. We got requests for jerky. They also wanted gum to hand out to little Iraqi children. We also sent plenty of lotion and hair conditioner, because of the desert. Magazines (non-risque) were another popular item.

I like the the sauce idea. I never thought of that. Maybe I could make up some Emerill Essence to send.

 

[lovemygoofy]

First suggestion seperate each different kinds of items and put them in ziploc bags. My dh used all the ziploc bags afterward to keep sand out of stuff.

hard candy
gum
tic tacs
suckers
spray cheese
crackers
beef jerkey or summer sausage
the big cans of soup with pop top
hot chocolate packs
little debbies
juice boxes
gatorade
presweetened kool-aid
tuna/ham/chicken salad kits
spices/sauces
little tortillas
can/package chicken
coffee
creamer

batteries
dvd/vhs
books
cards
poker chips
board games
handheld games
mags all kinds,even old ones, but not political
wipes
itching cream
foot powder/spray
glass lens cleaner
eye drops
feminie hygiene (big shortage there)
roll good toilet paper
black socks
tooth brush
breath strips or small mouthwash
travel size of good hygine products
sunglasses
sunscreen
sunscreen to go on bald head

If you need more suggestions feel free to PM me. I have plenty of more suggestions.

You are doing a great thing.
Tina

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

It is actually starting to cool off a little-DH said it was only in mid 80's today (compared to 120's past months) and they had RAIN Tuesday night!!! A thunderstorm! So maybe "some" things won't melt now. During desert storm, Dec-Feb were colder.

DH loves DVD's, CD's, magazines, snacks that he can't get in the PX there (peanuts!! any kind!). Santa is doing a stocking to send in addition to some gifts from us. I send priority, so things can't sit and have more chance of damage.

 

[Jynohn]

I can't add much more to the great lists people have already given you, but just wanted to say thank you very much for supporting a soldier!!!