What To Put In Packages?

[storzo]

I know there was a thread about this but I don't know what happened to it. Can someone point me in the right direction? Or start again?

I had lots of ideas but now I find myself either drawing a blank or sending the same stuff. I need some inspiration.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Tina has a great list but she is probably busy right now since her DH just got home from his long deployment.

The most requested items I have heard from my friends over there are:
Food - most any non-perishable snacky food.
Beef Jerky, beef jerky and beef jerky.
Candy - only send chocolate when it is cold over there
Cookies
Trail Mix
Peanuts, Cashews, Almonds, etc...
Pop Tarts
Warm Delights - microwave individual desserts
Cup of Noodles

Clothing - extra tee shirts, undies and socks.

Stuff to do - puzzle books, magazines (nothing like Maxim or anything remotely risque'), gameboys with games and batteries, water guns, water balloons, Rubik's cube, blank note cards (they don't need stamps), card games like Uno or just playing cards.

Toiletries - all the usual stuff like deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving cream, razor blades, etc...

Also baby wipes are great - the softsided packs travel well and don't take up much weight in the box.

USPS has a new larger flat rate box for I think $12.95 and a smaller one for $8.95 so pack that full!

We had 2 friends that spent their time off volunteering with the orphanage in Baghdad. They requested flip-flops (most of the orphans had NO shoes and ran around barefoot in the hot sand), beanie babies, soccer balls (you can buy them deflated and send a pump), stickers, hard candy/suckers, balloons (especially the kind to make balloon animals), etc...

Good luck. I am sure someone else will be along with more suggestions.

 

[KT27]

Actually the larger sized flat rate box is only $10.95 when shipping to an APO address.

My husband is currently in Iraq on a 15 month tour. I just sent him a 12 days of Christmas package - wrapped everything.

He got:

itunes gift card (he can d/l music)
dvd
choc covered almonds
smokey almonds
canned fruit with pop top (don't forget the plastic spoons)
hot chocolate mix
microwave popcorn
water mix ins : propel, koolaid, crystal light etc.
magazines: cars, home handyman, music
Christmas treats: candy canes, red/green packaged candy
starlight mints
razors, deoderant, a new tooth brush
memory foam pillow
stocking, mini christmas tree with ornaments and a few decorations
a bunch of cards & letters
I also sent him a copy of the daily newspaper, newspaper clippings I knew he would like.
and a few photos.

 

[browneyes106]

My cousin was in Iraq last year. I sent him packages monthly. Here are some of the stuff I put in his package
-calling cards
-sunflower seeds
-batteries
-handheld Tetris game
-a DVD set of his favorite tv show
-some mix CD's
-a scrapbook of family events
- memorabilia of his favorite sports teams

I'll try to think of more ideas later.

 

[Justanopinion]

This is the list our Family and Friends Support group came up with...hope this helps.

COMMON REQUESTS FROM OUR TROOPS

Please note items in all caps are requested the most. Thank you.

TOILETRIES:
(We ask for no hotel samples, as many of troops have allergies to certain things and need to see all the ingredients that are in the items that are used.)

IF ANY ITEM ON THIS LIST COMES IN TRAVEL SIZE THEN THAT IS WHAT IS REQUESTED. ONLY PURCHASE REGULAR SIZE PRODUCTS IF THEY DO NOT COME IN TRAVEL SIZE, THIS REQUEST COMES FROM THE Department of Defense.

BABY WIPES
HAND SANITIZER
BODY WASH, LIQUID SOAP, FACIAL CLEANSER
DISPOSABLE RAZORS ( REQUEST TYPES LIKE MACH 3)
LIP BALM/CHAP STICK
BABY POWDER / FOOT POWDER
BUG SPRAY/DEET/SKIN-SO-SOFT (NO AEROSOL CANS)
FLEA COLLARS
TOOTHBRUSHES
shampoo/conditioner
hair gel
combs/brushes/ponytail holders/bobby pins
eye drops (visine)
nasal spray (saline kind)
deodorant
shaving cream/soap (No Cans)
cotton swabs (q-tips) / cotton balls
band-aids, gauze pads, first aid kits
loufa sponges/buff puffs/washcloths
individual packs of tissues
sunblock / aloe vera gel / vitamin e
hand & body lotion / moisturizer
mouthwash / toothpaste / dental floss
multi-vitamins
breath mints / breath strips / cough drops / lozenges
nail files / emery boards / nail clippers / feminine hygiene products
tylenol, motrin, aspirin etc..
moleskin
shoe insole cushions (really like the gel kinds)

FOOD & SNACKS
(NO CHOCOLATE PRODUCTS ACCEPTED FROM MARCH - OCTOBER = TOO HOT THERE IT WILL MELT)

BEEF JERKY/SLIM JIMS (if you send this do not list it on the package label as included - it is against muslim religion and our soldiers will not receive their package)
COFFEE / HOT CHOCOLATE PACKS / HERBAL TEAS
INSTANT DRINK MIXES (GATORADE,KOOL-AID, CRYSTAL LIGHT)
PUMPKIN SEEDS / SALTED SUNFLOWER SEEDS
TUNA IN POUCHES - NO CANS
protein powders / protein bars / cliff bars
hard pretzels / cheetos /fritos /chex mix / wheat thins
gum and hard candy -- must be individually wrapped
small packs of cookies
trail mixes / dried fruit / granola / fruit roll ups / fruit by the foot / fruit gummies
dry soups: ramen noodles / cup-o-soup / anything to just add water too
any kind of salted nuts
microwave foods: chef-boy-r-dee, popcorn, easy mac etc....
cookies/girl scout cookies (if any with chocolate only sen October - February)
cracker packs / instant oatmeal packs / individual ceral boxes
store bought rice kripie treats
caffeinated gum / candy
condiments: spices, sugar, dalad dressing - no glass jars

ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

SMALL HOMEMADE GIFTS
STATIONERY & ENVELOPES, BLANK CARDS TO SEND HOME
NEW CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR SOLDIERS TO E ABLE TO SEND HOME
NEWSPAPERS & MAGAZINES FORM SOLDIERS HOMETOWN AREA
DVD movies ( new or used - recent relases)
batteries AA - AAA - C are most requested
xbox/ps2 games
portable CD players & head phones
double sided tape/ small craft kits / scrap book items
pens/ mechanical pencils
day planners / small calanders
board or card games - travel size games are great
nerf footballs / basketballs sports equipment
frisbees / hackey sacks
small electronic hand held games
disposable cameras
flash drives/usb drives for laptop computers
small flashlights
air freshners
socks / black olive green and white
patriotic knick knacks stuff from your state
generic sunglasses
holiday decorations
alarm clocks (small wind up or battery operated)
black and green duct tape / small tool kits/ dust masks / fly swatters
winter hats and blankets

 

[storzo]

Thanks so much. I was asking for my DSS.

I got the flat rate boxes from PO already and I could remember some of the basics and of course, what he asks for. But all the little things and some of the basics I see listed here, IDK, I was just drawing a blank.

Just a few questions, that I could probably ask him but might get answered quicker here -

The electronics. Is this stuff they bring from home or are there shared items on base?

The beef jerky. He did specifically ask for this but I thought it was ok since it was beef and not pork? If I don't list something, will he get in trouble if he's found with it?

Time. About how long does it take for these packages to arrive? Should I be sending a Christmas themed box like right now?

Thanks again!

 

[lovemygoofy]

Thanks so much. I was asking for my DSS.

I got the flat rate boxes from PO already and I could remember some of the basics and of course, what he asks for. But all the little things and some of the basics I see listed here, IDK, I was just drawing a blank.

Just a few questions, that I could probably ask him but might get answered quicker here -

The electronics. Is this stuff they bring from home or are there shared items on base?

The beef jerky. He did specifically ask for this but I thought it was ok since it was beef and not pork? If I don't list something, will he get in trouble if he's found with it?

Time. About how long does it take for these packages to arrive? Should I be sending a Christmas themed box like right now?

Thanks again!

The electronics will be for his use but he could possibly share with someone else to watch a movie or listen to music or whatever.

The pork thing is not strictly enforced. Beef jerkey can be sent. Heck I've sent cans of ham salad and even the little baby cans of ham. I always send summer sausage and have since the start and never had any problems. I will say I don't declare the pork products on the customs forms.

I would recommend mailing no later than Dec 10th. I'm not sure where your son is or how long it's taking mail to get to him but if you can start getting things together in and in the mail by the 10th you should be good.

Here is the list I share:

Suggestions for Goody Boxes

Things not allowed: alcohol, pornography, and pork products(loosely enforced)

Food/Snack Items
Beef/turkey jerky
Ham, chicken or tuna salad lunch kits (includes the can of meat, crackers, mayo, relish, and little spoon)
Cans/sealed packages of chicken, ham, or tuna in a bag (little packets of mayo can be found at gas stations to send along)
Crackers including soda, salad, and Ritz
“Baby” canned hams
Small summer sausage
Pasta buckets
Cans of soup with pop tops
Tabasco sauce or bbq sauce
Hard candy
Little Debbie snacks
Cans of chips such as Torengos or Pringles
Plastic bowls or cans of dips including salsa, cheese dip, and bean dip
Granola/cereal bars
Lunch box sized packets of cookies, cheese nips, cheese &cracker/breadsticks
Good coffee or cocoa
Juice boxes off the shelf not the cold section
Pre-sweetened drink mix like kool-aid, tea, lemonade, or Gatorade

General Items
Boxes of holiday greeting cards unsigned
Envelopes, paper, and pens
DVD’s—blank and with programs
Cd’s—blank and recorded
AA batteries
Int’l phone cards (best found at post office)
Magazines and local news papers
Disposable cameras if applicable
White athletic socks
Good toilet paper
Deck of cards
Handheld/travel size games
Frisbees
Athletic equipment like basketball, football, and soccer
Board games
Books/books on cd

“Theme Boxes”
Holiday boxes including funny or cute decorations
Stocking filled in a box
Coffee/cocoa box (include things like biscotti, cookies, or flavorings with the coffee)
Birthday box
Movie night box (sweets, a dvd movie, microwave popcorn and whatever else sounds good)

 

[storzo]

Thanks Tina. So glad your DH is home safe.

This is my DSS's first time out and he just go there a few weeks ago so I don't know where he is or how long packages take yet. I just got an email from him that he is well and he will let me know when the box arrives so I guess I'll know then.

Thanks again!

 

[storzo]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I sent a box right before I started this thread with all the "basics" and he emailed me yesterday that he got it. That was way faster then I expected.

There's another box already on its way. He's not asking for anything specific so I'll be using all of your suggestions!

Thanks again.

 

[Justanopinion]

storzo...just remember that as we get closer to the holidays it will take longer for the packages to get there....don't count on them always getting there that fast...

 

[storzo]

Quick Question --

If I just want to send a letter or card or pictures --

Is it better to wait and throw in with a box of stuff?

If not, do I need airmail stamps or something or just a regular 42 cent stamp?

Thanks!!

 

[KT27]

A regular stamp is what you need. No customs form either.

 

[storzo]

A regular stamp is what you need. No customs form either.

Thanks!