My son is a marine in Iraq. What kind of things can I send in his care packages?

Answer 1

Any type of quick foods that can be mailed....jerky, chips, crackers, candy, etc. Vienna sausages and individual cans of tuna. Also, send Gatorade, Kool aid, tea, lemonade, etc. They get tired of drinking plain water all the time. If you can, find the individual drink packets he can add right to his water bottle.

He'll also enjoy magazines and newspapers. Puzzles and puzzle books are appreciated over there as well.

If he has access, send him DVD's or videos. Check with him and see if he can use them. Many bring equipment like that with them. Also, send CD's or tapes.

Send him lots of mail....letters and postcards. Be sure to include pictures!!

He'll also need plenty of toiletries. Shampoo, deodorant, razor blades, toilet paper, wet wipes or baby wipes and so on are always in need.

And, a note to some above comments.....beer is contraband. It is also illegal to send cigarettes and porn through the mail. They have access to shopettes and such to buy the smokes if they need them. With that, when you attach the shipping lable, list the contents carefully. I don't know if it's still an issue, but the last time hubby was there (and it's not that long ago), inspectors stealing things from boxes was a prob.

Answer 2

We did a drive for soldiers at work, here is what was on the list:

Gold Bond Powder
Black Socks
Deodorant
Icy Hot
Chapstick
CD's, DVD's, VHS tapes
Beverage Mixes (Crystal Light, Kool-Aid)
Powdered Creamer
Boxed or Bagged Candy
Beef Jerky
Popcorn
Nuts
Biscotti
Foot Powder
Tan or Brown Boot Laces
Bandanas
Cough Drops
Eye Drops
Video/Computer Games
Coffee
Hot Cocoa
Sugar Packets
Gum
Slim Jims
Cookies
Granola Bars
Cushioned Sole Inserts
Disposable Razors
Thermacare Wraps
Vitamin C
Diaper Wipes
Game Systems
Tea
Cappuccino
Honey
Cinnamon Toothpicks
Pringles
Trail Mix
Pop Tarts

May God be with your son!

Answer 3

Nothing.

As a X Marine let me tell you the whole care package thing is way over played.

A subscription to a magazine is highly praised. Also status items like a rare pocket knife is better than all the broken homemade cookies.

A bigger ticket item would be a tiny digital camera. With a bunch of flash memory sticks to mail back.

Answer 4

I'd say porn, but since you're his mom, that just wouldn't be right...lol!
seriously though:
Candy that won't melt... smarties are good. :)

You could ask him if his unit has TP. If they have issues getting the tissues, every roll helps. A good book or music- something to do keep your mind off things when you're in your tent. The best though is the most obvious: photos of friends and family along with letters.

I hope he gets to come home alive and well soon. Be proud- he's putting his life on the line so others can have a chance, however small, at having the freedoms we enjoy here in America. :)

Answer 5

Being in the national gaurd in pennsylvania and just returning home from IRAQ on june 17th 2006 I wanted items i could not buy over there.My girlfriend sent me canned foods,vacuum packed items such as ring bologna ( we had a fridge in our room ) and a host of other "local" items not available in IRAQ.I asked my family and friends not to send alot of personal hygene items as I had access to them at the PX (not all soldiers have access to a PX as much as I did).
When I spoke to my family and friends on the phone they would ask me what they could send.My answer was always the same:beef jerky,slim jims,smarties and other hard candy that won't melt or stick together in the searing heat.I think the best item(s)I ever got sent to me was pictures of family and friends and of course my girlfriend who supported me 100%.Tell your son I said good luck and gods speed.
Having been there i will use my real first name.
JOE

Answer 6

When my husband was over there, I was told I could send him anything as long as it did not have pork in it (like jerky) or could be considered pornographic (like most US magazine covers). Baby wipes, chapstick, suntan lotion is usually well received. I also sent batteries and some of those handheld fans with a mister. I also looked at the camping section at Wal-Mart and send a battery operated fan and a water shower bottle. If he has a computer or access to one or DVD player, send movies as well.

Answer 7

You know your son so whatever kind of snack that he likes. when my husband was in Irak I used to send him brownies and even fudge. I used to freeze them and then put them inside and insulated container(lunchbags)The guys oveer there will follow him around to get some of my brownies. It takes about a week for the packages to get there. As far as the wipes and purel they have tons of that stuff over there that people have sent over the lenght of he war. For xmas i sent him a sall tree for his desk and some lights for his room.J Try to send some pictures from home, magazines or even newspapers. Anything that reminds him of home he would appreciate it. God bless you and your son, he will keep him safe.

Answer 8

Snacks go a long way...

In all honesty, he's probobly going to want beer and porno mags, I don't know how cool of a mom you are but I can only speak to what HE wants. Instant coffee is great too. Even if he doesn't smoke, he can trade cigarettes for most anything.

Hope that helps some.

Answer 9

Food (beef jerky, ramen noodles, juice mix, Vienna sausages)

In a separate box you can send toiletries like soap, tissues, wet ones, bug guard (Avon is the best) sunscreen, etc.

You can send for entertainment purposes some magazines like Maxim, or any specialty magazine he may have an interest in. Crossword puzzles, Sodoku , things like that.

I wish him a safe return home. :)

Answer 10

Write him a letter and see what exactly he's like. You can always do your own version of a care package. You know him better than anyone else. Tell your son in your letter to him that a lady in Amarillo, TX is praying for him and I said Thank You for protecting me and my 4 year old daughter. We love him even though we don;t know him. Thanks!