A friend is getting deployed to Iraq. I promised to send care packages. What types of things should I send?

Question

I promised homemade cookies and such. Any other ideas?

Answer 1

pillow cases
twin sheets (the fitted ones)
wash cloths
microwavable foods (if he's near one, most guys are)
q-tips
soft toilet paper
wet wipes
cottonelle "wash wipes" (the bathroom type ones)
fun snack food
playing cards
DVD's - old school ones are fun!
newspaper clippings
comic books he liked as a kid
music CD's (these & dvd's have to be actuals, not downloaded ones)
madnarin oranges
frisbee, small footballs
dental picks
lip balm
sunscreen
hand sanitizer

after he's been there a while....
mailing labels! (make them on your computer, it's easy even I did it & i'm not a techie. do his return address AND some with just the company and address information he can share with others. keep some for yourself too - makes sending mail a little easier)
socks
comfy t-shirt
slippers (might only wear once or twice but it's a "home" thing)
inserts for shoes/boots
foot care - powders, heel cream, etc
mole skin - that comes in really handy!
snapshots of home - silly things like new construction, road work, his school -- something "home"

the main thing i will say is -- snail mail!!! that was something that "my Marines" liked the best. "there is something about getting a real letter, holding it in your hand & walking to a quiet area, sitting down and reading it - seeing the handwriting.... it felt like a piece of that person was right there." even with my horrible handwriting -- i wrote. sometimes it was short with a couple articles from readers digest or such, other times long and goofy - pretty much just like i spoke! while they appreciated email communications for quick notes, the snail mail was the most appreciated. because i work a lot - i would often write out a long letter that would encompass 3-5 cards. now they didn't "finshing a thought" in the next letter, it was just a LONG letter that took numerous pages/cards. i mailled one and put the others on the side and sent them about 3-4 days apart when i knew i wouldn't have time to write.

ooh put things that are liquid into ziploc baggies -- they will be safer AND the guys then use the baggies - they come in really handy!

my boxes took from 2-3 weeks to arrive - depending on how heavy they were. letters - about a week.

if he has family back home that will be celebrating a birthday or whatnot - ask him in advance if he needs you to send blank cards - you just can't tell the person (if you know the person he's sending them too) you got them for them :)

Answer 2

Anything that can be warmed up in the microwave is great over there. Soup at Hand, Easy Mac, Hamburger Helper Singles, Cup-O-Noodles, Campbells chunky soups. Most soldiers over there have a microwave, or know someone who does... And there are times when you just plain don't want to go to the DFAC. Cookies are great, especially home made, just make sure that you seal them well in tupperware or some other air-tight container.

I don't know if your friend is a male or female, but if your friend is female, feminine products can be really hard to find over there, depending on where you are stationed.

Do NOT send phone cards. Unless your friend has told you specifically what phone company they use on their FOB (sprint, at&t, etc...). Most phone cards purchased over here are completely useless over there.

Answer 3

DVD's. Get several and send them in a CD carry case. It takes up less space. A Playboy would be nice. (I'm not trying to be gross! Just thoughtful!) I like other people's newpaper ideas. And maybe some drawings from a special little kid in his life. If you send cookies, you better send alot. You can bet he's made friends over there to share with! Another good idea would be to video tape a message from everyone and send it to him!

Answer 4

I used to send 'care packages' to the guys in Vietnam, and I'm betting that at least 'most of the stuff' is the same ... but you should ALWAYS SEND AT LEAST 12 DOZEN COOKIES, because that way everyone in the 'troop' will get some. Send 'books' ... mostly 'light fiction' and 'funny stuff' because they don't want to read about 'heavy romance' or any 'fighting wars' ... send LOTS OF CHOCOLATE BARS ... these are good for them to eat themselves, plus they are good to 'give out' to 'kids' who will then 'respect our soldiers more' because they are 'so nice' ... send several pairs of 'new, clean socks' (be sure that you send them in the 'color' approved by the branch of service your friend is in), and several pairs of NEW CLEAN UNDERWEAR! They may 'wear it themselves' or they may 'give it away' ... but whoever 'wears it' will be 'grateful' to you for it. In this 'day and age' cell phones are so 'popular' that I think you could safely send 'a cell phone' that is 'charged with money' that they can use to call home on ... or if you know that your guy has a cell phone, then you can just 'charge it' from where you live, and tell him that you've put X number of 'minutes' on it for him/her. Also send things like blank paper, new empty envelopes, stamps, and several working pens and pencils ... you may get some of them back, or your person may 'give them away' ... although the 'U.S. stamps' will work only if the guy sends mail through the military mail ... so if you want you may also send a 'gift certificate' that will help pay for stamps in Iraq, in case your person wants to 'give the stuff away.' And ALWAYS SEND YOUR LOVE to that person, because that is what they really need 'more than anything else ... to know that someone LOVES THEM even when they're gone.

Answer 5

Sunday Newspapers, pictures from home and lots of letters. Most of the time, Care Packages are not needed. They are organizations that send them already and sometimes, we have too much stuff.

If you want to know what to send, ask your friend from time to time. Your friend will tell you what he/she wants. Don't send things that you may think your friend needs, but really don't.

Otherwise, your friend will end up with stuff that he/she won't be using and take up space. Remember, things from home is always the best thing to send.

Answer 6

Cookies are ok but i did that for someone and it takes forever for them to get and a few packages he never even got...if your friend is taking a laptop or portable dvd player try sending dvd's..music too. Oh and there are voice recorders you can buy and send him/her a little personal message..so when they have down time they could listen to it over, plus there small easy to ship. Take care

Answer 7

Socks, baby wipes are things that guys need frequently, and small handheld games, CDs and DVDs and non-perishable snacks cheer them up.

If you're going to make cookies, I suggest individually wraping them in saran wrap. I put them in a ziplock bag or tupperware container and include a piece of bread. The bread will absorb any excess moisture and keep the cookies from getting stale. I sent brownies to my boyfriend; they didn't get to him for three weeks and they were still edible!

Answer 8

Space is at a premium, so anything you send make sure it is small. Homemade cookies sound like a great idea. How about calling cards for him to call you? Do not send alcohol. It will get your friend in trouble.

Answer 9

Good for you! Well done!

There's lots of websites with suggestions, stuff that soldiers in the desert need.

It's a very good thing you are doing. You will really help your friend and your friend's comrades. God bless you.

Answer 10

Cookies, always cookies. Home made of course. And any mementos of home life so he knows what's going on. Photos, videos, audio messages, that kind of thing.