Question for all those Care package experts

[UncleKyle]

My friends and I have a close friend of our in the 101st airborne. We'd like to send him a care package but no one knows what to send him, they all look to me since I have a little more knowledge about the war and military than they do. Little do they know that I'm getting some advice from you guys. So whats the requirements? What should we send? What can we not send. How long will it take to get to him? I'm sure with him deep in Iraq now he might not get it for sometime.

I've read some articles and posts about care packages but it's all hard to sort through. So any suggestions and ideas will be greatly appreciated it. Thanks

 

[Pam]

Kyle,
A couple of posts down from yours is a great thread, which I believe was started by Bunchkin. It lists all kinds of suggestions of what others have sent in their packages. I do know that hand wipes, eye drops, flea collars, candy, snacks, etc. have been a big hit. As have batteries. Since you are a close friend, you probably know his tastes in music and books and magazines, you might want to stick something like that in as well.

TwinMom7 recommends the #7 box from the post office. Something around the size of a shoe box is best. It's taking at least 2 weeks for packages to arrive over there. I haven't heard anything from the 2 Marines I have sent to - but I think that with them deep in Iraq, the boxes haven't caught up to them yet.

 

[dandave]

I'm certainly no expert. I did find this list of things not to send.

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.

Try not to send heavily scented items with foodstuffs that may accidently absorb the "flavor", either.

 

[UncleKyle]

Sorry, I didn't scroll down the page far enough to see the list thread, thanks!