I have a friend who has a friend who is in the service over in Iraq. We want to send him a "Care Package" for Christmas but we're not sure what to put in it. We haven't gotten the serviceman's address (he just shipped out last week) yet but we want to send the package as soon as we can to make sure he gets it in time (once that he sends us his address). How far in advance will it be necessary for us to mail the package for him to get it by Christmas?
2007-11-14 06:34:11 · 6 answers · asked by Jane F 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
The deadline to get the package there by Christmas depends on the zip code and what shipping method you choose. If the zip starts with 093, you must ship by Nov 13 if you are paying for parcel post. If you are shipping priority it must be shipped by Dec 4. It's pretty much the same for the other zip codes, except if you are shipping priority to any other zip, you have until Dec 11 to mail the package or letter.
These are just estimates and there is no guarantee!
My husband was in a zip starting with 093 and it only took approximately 10 working days for my priority packages to get there.
Here is the site that gives the details:
http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/localnews/md/md_2007_1023.htm
2007-11-14 06:41:28 · answer #1 · answered by Brianna's Mommy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can send it by December 1, you should be good for Christmas.
Make sure if you are sending food to only send food and not pack it with personal care or hygeine items. Sending cookies with deodorant makes the cookies taste terrible.
Pre-packaged packs of cookies do better than big boxes as the soldiers can take these small packs with them without the food going stale.
Try using one of the flat rate boxes and filling it with all kinds of pre-packaged foods like crackers, cookies, cereal bars, and hard candy.
I would get one of those new vacuum sealer kits that are in with the plastic ziploc baggies at Walmart. Vacuum sealing keeps the food fresh until the soldiers get it.
2007-11-14 08:40:23 · answer #2 · answered by YesIDid 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im over here now and it usually takes about a week and a half to 2 weeks for mail and packages to get to me. but i would send it as soon as i got the address cause the holiday season is pretty much here and there r a lot of people sending stuff back and forth. its better to get it there before christmas then afterwards, it can be very uplifting especially if he just left.
2007-11-14 07:06:24 · answer #3 · answered by itsme21 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would send in asap, like no later than next week. The last time my hubby was gone at Christmas it took 2 months for one package to get to him (cards took 1 month, as did the small package.)
2007-11-14 06:38:53 · answer #4 · answered by Just me 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To guaranty it gets there, you'll probably want to send it by 1 December. As far as what to send, we enjoyed cookies last Christmas, just make sure to pack them well, or they won't make it. Vacuum packing seems to work well.
2007-11-14 08:10:11 · answer #5 · answered by DOOM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beef Jerky, hard candy, good cushioned soled socks, phone card, (anything non-perishable). Remember this:
Cakes go stale,
Cookies crumble,
makes a soldier
want to rumble.
Mail it yesterday!!!!!! Okay, tomorrow will be as late as you will want to go.
Add a note that there are a whole lot of people here that are in their corner. Hope he comes home safe.
2007-11-14 06:55:30 · answer #6 · answered by RUESTER 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋