Any new ideas on what to put in a package to a soldier in Iraq?

Question

My husband has been deployed for about eight months now. I send packages regularly but I'm running out of ideas. I usally send movies, music, books, snacks, that kind of thing (not to mention that music and movies are expenssive). If anyone has any new or creative ideas for me I would be very thankful!

Answer 1

Try water guns! I'm being serious, too. Those are pretty fun, everyone is so uptight out here, it's fun to break that monotany sometimes:) Not to mention it's hot!!!!! Depending on where you're hubby is, you may not need to send movies because I know where I am they have "haji" movies, which is basically copies of movies for like $2 each, so email him to verify you're not just throwing all that money away! Try spraying the inside of the box with your perfume so that he gets a nice little smell from home when he opens the box. Oh, most people like to send oreo's and chips ahoys, those are good but what we REALLY miss is home made stuff, because we have px's here too. Send him homemade cookies and brownies, those are a HOT commodity lol! Oh, send him some sleeping clothes because pt's aren't that comfortable, so maybe his favorite pair of house shorts, you know, or his favorite house shoes. Try sending him like a collage type deal of yours and his pictures, or if you have video of y'alls wedding or any other video of y'all together I know it would be really appreciated. Good luck!

Answer 2

I think it more important that the packages keep coming than actually what is inside. You know the basics we take for granted like toothpaste, mouthwash and anti-bacterial wipes are always nice to have, the best thing is to let him know that you support him and his fellow soldiers and that you are waiting for him and that you are taking care of the home front. The hardest thing for me when deployed was not hearing from anyone for months at a time. (This was many years ago and in a submarine, so communications are hopefully better today). If he knows that everything is OK with you and your family, that is comforting. Don't tell him the dishwasher broke or things like that. It would just make him feel his responsibilities at home were not being met, and that could be a distracting state of mind. Send symbolic things like a package a month with 30 Hershey's Kisses and tell him you wanted to make sure you gave him a "Kiss" every day. I know, sounds corny, but trust me, that's the type of message and support your soldier needs.

Answer 3

The homemade goodies idea mentioned above is great, but make sure you send enough for all his buddies. If he's lucky, he'll get more than one or two. Seal them in plastic zipper bags and pad them well, or he'll end up with a box of crumbs.

Are there particular foods he likes? When I was at sea for six months at a time, my family would send me hot sauce (Military food tends to be bland, and I like that orange SriRacha sauce on almost anything.)

Copies of pictures, but never the only copy, home movies (again, copies only!), and lots of letters. I suggest numbering them on the outside of the envelope, as he will likely get them in batches. That way he can read them in order.

If there are family birthdays or holidays coming up, send him cards that he can send out. Family will appreciate it, and supplies of such things are often very limited overseas. Also, such things are easily forgotten when in a stressful situation, so he'd probably appreciate a reminder (I certainly did).

Does he like to read? Check out the local used book store. He won't care if someone else read it before him, and he'll probably pass it on to someone else when he's done.

Don't send:

- Anything breakable. The military postal system has a special code word for items that you want run over by a fork lift. That word is "fragile".

- Anything difficult to replace. Send him a frilly perfumed garter if you wish (he will like it, but remember that there is no privacy among military men overseas) but don't send the one from your wedding day.

- Anything valuable. Unfortunately, there are often thieves in the military (not many, but it only takes one), and he's in a dangerous place where he may have to drop everything and run.

Several small packages sent over time are better than one big one. It isn't so much what is inside as it is the connection with home and family.

Answer 4

I know what you mean, this is my second time around and I am coming up blank. With more access to things while they are over there, sometimes it is hard to come up with things. I once sent a "cheap" recordable picture frame and I recorded just a quick message and added a picture of myself so he could listen to my voice whenever he wanted to. I think I spent $10 at Radio Shack for it. I also have sent boxers and more regulation tshirts because they get so grimey after a while and new ones feel better. Does he have his own laptop over there? If so, what about some computer card games or puzzles? Towels or washcloths I know are frequently requested, magazines, card games or video games. I know that a lot of PS2 was played back at base when my husband was over there the first time. There are websites out there with ideas and most requested items:
http://www.brandonblog.com/A_Soldiers_Blog_Care_Packages.html
http://www.geocities.com/militarycarepackage/

Answer 5

Magazines? (Im sure youve thought of that, if youve thought of books)

Buy yourself a diary, and write in it every day, all like an old romance movie type of thing, and then when you send his next package, send him the diary.

I sent my husband a stuffed rabbit with my perfume on it.

Can you believe, someone actually stole it? He sent me pics of that rabit doing everything, it was driving a humv, it was playing cards with the guys LOL, and then he told me someone stole it. How dirty.

Cards, dice, boardgames? There is a game called catchphrase, my husband and I always enjoyed playing it with friends. I dont know how much free time they really have over there, but its something he may enjoy.

Would he enjoy model cars? or something else like that to keep him occupied?

Another fun idea would be to buy a disposable camera (or use your digi if you have one) and take photos of you (and your kids if you have them) throughout the day, getting up, eating breakfast, all that stuff, just so he can see you guys, for an entire day.

Try to save up a little $$$ and make a trip to victoria secret juuuuust before he comes home too ;)

Answer 6

I would create a picture book of your family if you have kids. Have them write how much they miss him etc. Honestly, just ask him what he likes best. He may want some practical things like deodorant or shaving cream. He may really like the forms of entertainment. I think the snacks are a good bet, especially his favorite ones, get them at costco for a real bargain (edit- I like the idea of homemade food, from the post above- that'd be great I'm sure). Also he probably really enjoys when you write to him. Maybe keep a log of the things that remind you of him, so he can see how often you think of him- like if your song comes on the radio or something. And he might like hearing just kind of regular ho-hum news from home to take his mind off where he is. But your best bet is asking I think. I really hope that helps, and that he returns safely.

Answer 7

Send him a sexy bit of lingere and tell him when he gets home you'll model it for him. Trust me, he'll be very eager to get home. And don't worry about the guys giving him grief about it. Unless your husband is extremely shy, he'll probably get a kick out of the teasing and winks. It's always fun to be the guy with a hot wife. LOL. Pictures are good- a few to show off and a few to hide from the guys. Send a picture of your pet, your house, maybe his car/truck. Maybe of his golfclubs with a little sign hanging from them "we miss you!". You can have a lot of fun with photography. Best thing I've gotten while deployed? My goldfish (with my mom's assistance) wrote me letters telling me about the happenings "Outside the Bowl". It was a hilarous look at the things that would otherwise have just been daily dribble. "The lady was down on the bottom today, waving her fins around a lot and it made the bottom all shiny. What was she doing? It took her a really long time and she got all mad when the man swam in when she was done. He has something big in his fins, all wrapped up. He flipped me into a tiny, dark bowl. I was scared! I tried to jump out but I hit my head on something and decided that maybe it was better to just wait. When he flipped me back, my bubble was bigger! There was a great plant too and I found the perfect way to scratch my back. That's hard with fins, you know. Wait, have to go. Food!!! Oh boy oh boy oh boy..." Everyone thought it was terribly cute that my fish wrote to me on fishy stationary, and the letters were really funny. It made it much easier to deal with being away from home to have the comic relief and the update at the same time.

Answer 8

Wow, he's been over there for quiet a while, huh? He must be a Marine or Army, so since you dont mention what he does, I'm going to assume he is out in the field alot. Here are a few things I send/sent to my husband and family members over there:

~ Kool Aid or Crystal Light packets (or whatever kind you can get). You know, the little packets you can only make 1 drink with? They say its great because they have to drink so much water, and that gets pretty bland after a while. So the drink packets help give them some flavor. Plus they are small, so they can travel with them.

~ When it gets cold (and it will get cold there), send him some of those heat packets that hunters use. You know, you crack them (like a glow stick), and they stay warm for a few hours. I used to get them at CVS, but you may have to search around for them.

~ Keychain sized board games. You may have to hunt around for those too. I've found all kinds, including chess.

~ Pictures of family & friends are good, just make sure you dont send pics that are irreplaceable, because that sand destroys EVERYTHING over there.

~ Any kind of foot powder, or gel. Their feet can get like raw meat from wearing those boots all the time. And that makes them prone to infections, and athlete's foot.

~ If he used to read the local paper, send him a few of those. Its like a piece of home.

~ A few more little things that I've heard they like: Hacky sacks, chapsticks, superballs, water guns, anti-bacterial gel, and baby wipes (in travel size packets).

I hope he comes back soon!!! Good luck!!!

Answer 9

1st off, God bless your husband and may God smile upon you as well.

Just keep up with what you're doing. It's probably less important what you put in your packages compared to the fact that you are sending visible signs of your love and support.

You might check with other wives in a similar situation, or see if his buddies have anything to add.

Again, Thank him for his service to his country; he is a true American hero.

Be well.

Answer 10

My brother-in-law was deployed and I sent things like big packages of suckers, he said that kept him occupied for a while.......food that was in cans like, Vienna Sausages, crackers, tuna and crackers, Anything that wouldn't melt since it takes a while to get to them. He asked for Kleenex packages, the small ones that would fit in his pocket, toothpicks, moist wipes for his hands and face, he loved climbing and hiking magazines so send what hobby your husband likes in a magazine, take pictures and put them in a small book, he'll love it!!!