What should I include in a big care package to a soldier in Iraq?

Question

Also, can you send homemade goodies?

Answer 1

The Best Items To Include In Military Care Packages:
Deodorant
Shower to Shower body powder
Body Lotion
Chap Stick
Disposable camera
Rice Krispie treats
Altoids/mints
Beef jerky
Snack mixes
Sunflower seeds
Chewing gum
Nuts
Long-distance phone cards
Little Debbie's snacks
Ziploc bags
Coffee
Gatorade (powdered)
Poker game
Playing cards
Dice
Music CD's
Footbag/hacky-sack
Toothbrushes & toothpaste
pillow and/or blanket (light weight)
Cookies in individual packages (Big bags often fill with dust if not eaten right away.)
Dominoes
Pasta and sauce
Canned food items
Spices, salt, pepper
Smoked oysters and sardines
Squeeze butter
Pringles chips
Individually-wrapped licorice
Microwave popcorn
Ramen noodles
Macaroni & cheese
shower towels (dark)
Olives, pickles, peppers (Be sure to add lots of bubble wrap around these items.)
Cereal bars/granola bars
Microwave pasta that doesn't need refrigeration
Hot cocoa mix
Soup mix
M&M's (plain or peanut)
DVD's (they don't mind if it's new or used)
Koozies to keep water bottles and cans cool
Newspapers
Magazines
AA batteries
D batteries
Air fresheners (...like stick-ups, F'breeze.)
Cards and/or Stationary for the Soldier to write letters
Stress relief squeeze balls
Sewing kit
Baby wipes/hand & face wipes
Poker chips
Board games
Shoe laces for gym shoes and boots
Brown t-shirts
Boot socks
Underwear
Hand warmers
Inflatable seat cushions
Razors
Ink pens
Word Puzzle books
Icy/hot patches
Air activated heat wraps for sore muscles
Foot massager
Gel Insoles for Boots
Microwaveable plates, bowls, paper plates
Foot powder
Vitamins
Paperback books
...and most importantly, a note saying thanks for your service and we support you!

All the Soldiers I have sent Care Packages to really appreciate anything they recieve. Homemade treats are nice but may be discarded for safety reasons, unless you personally know the Soldier that you're sending the package to.
Also, make sure you have filled out the proper Customs Forms (2976-A), as you have to list everything that you included in your Care Package. Pork products of any kind are also not permitted.

Answer 2

That is really nice of you to do that. If ur going to send a care package you can probably include some food, new clothes, pillows, blankets, and maybe somethings that can entertain them a little bit. You can send homemade stuff but i don't know how great it's going to be when it gets there.

Answer 3

I just got back from Iraq last month.
Baked goods was a big hit in our BN. Someone's wife even sent Rum cake, which was awesome.
Movies and magazines are always good.
Bike lights that you can wear on you head are another good idea. Comes in handy at night especially when you need to use a port o potty.

Answer 4

Homemade goodies are awesome. Yes you can send them. Playing cards, sun screen, baby wipes, Gatorade, just little things.

Answer 5

Magazines, puzzle books, toiletry items such as sun screen, chap stick with UV protection, foot powder, etc., food that will not spoil, hard candies and gum, little packets of coffee creamer, sugar, ketchup, stuff like that that they may not have easy access too. It's not so much important what you send, but it means so much to them just to get anything to remind them of home, and to know that American still supports our troops. A hand written letter of thanks is probably the most important item you could include.

Answer 6

Books to read, or magazines so they have some entertainment, cards, Not sure I'd bake anything probably buy stuff already wrapped securely as probably go stale b4 they get it...
shaving cream, soap, It is very hot over there, as one of my friends came back about 6 mths ago... so probably t-shirts as they go thru them quickly in the heat...deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, etc

Answer 7

my mom and i send things like lotion deodorant books combs wash cloths . the last package w3e sent we made a big joke book with funny emails and things like that the solder wrote us and said he passed the book all over and it was great be sure to include a note that says we love them and appreciate what thay are doing

Answer 8

Protein/ Granola Bars ,
travel games,
calling cards,
hygene products ,
crosswords / sudoku/ word search books ,
socks,
chapstick ,
moleskin ( helps prevent blisters) ,
small sewing kit,
single serve packets of peanut butter and jelly
peanut butter snack crackers
Pouches of tuna and chicken (not canned)
Ramen noodles
Cup of soup


Hope this helps

Answer 9

o-Sugar Free KoolAid/Crystal Lite type mixes
o-Jerky
o-Candy*
o-Small Toys*
o-School supplies*
o-"Bore Snakes"(used for cleaning Rifle Bores, made by Hoppes)
o-Cards of support
o-Ramen Soups
when you get a Unit, find out from them what they need.


*these items are for giving to the Iraqi Children, they really have nothing, and Love G.I.'s I used to give matchbox/hotwheels cars to the little ones. It pays off, when a Kid warns you of a "Wahabi Boom" ahead.

Answer 10

Yes you can send home made goods. We sent small toys like yo yo's, silly string, bubbles etc. I was told it was a big hit. So what I'm saying is send fun toys, it occupies their time and they make contests with them. Oh small race cars was another hit,