Things in a care package...NEED HELP!

[NavyWifRo]

So I looked up some of the most needed things to send in a package, and I pretty much bought everything on 3 different lists... and I made my husband a pillocase with a picture of us in the middle (so he can kiss me goodnight) and some drawings its really cute, but is there something you guys suggest I send, before I head to the post office...? this will be my first package and my husband says "baby dont worry about me I am fine, just send sunflower seeds..." but of course I want him to have everything he needs... if you have suggestions they'll be clearly appreciated...THANKS GIRLS...AND GUYS...

[missinghim]

The only suggestion I have about the pillowcase is to make sure he can have it. I made one for Nick and he couldn't have it because it had to be plain white

[define]

I don't have any suggestions either because I usually just send a care package when he needs stuff that he can't get over there. He tells me the same thing, about not worrying about him, so sometimes I just throw some stuff in that he's not going to expect.

umm.. if u send cookies or something make lots or he may only get one... guys on the ship looooove cookies.

[dannysgirl004]

I send mine a new loofa, towel and body wash once a month. He is a clean freak. Babywipes, sunscreen, chapstick, batterries, energy drinks, easy mac and anything else he can pop in the microwave. And lots of energy bars so when he can't eat he can keep them in his pocket. And I usually try to burn him a cd or two whenever I can. Hope that helps!!!

[Pebbles]

Basics to Send

Food
Beef jerky
Cereal bars
Parmalatt
nonrefrigerated milk
Oreos – great with above
Ice tea bags
Oatmeal packs – also comes in individual servings in their own cups
Easy Mac – needs access to a microwave
Popcorn – also needs microwave access unless pre-popped
Single serve cereals
Fruit cups – don’t forget the spoon
Hard candies – won’t melt
Gum – better if in foil pockets than wraps for heat
Instant coffee
Tuna in the “fresh pouch”
Crackers
Slim Jims
Potted meats and crackers – can get together in a kit for ease
Little Debbie snack cakes – usually don’t melt that bad
Licorice
Nuts – peanuts, cashews, pecans, etc.
Pretzels
Rice Krispie Treats
Goldfish crackers
Applesauce cups – don’t forget the spoon
Raisins
Trail mix
Heater meals – t.v. dinner types requiring no heating (heatermeals.com)
Soup at Hand – need microwave
Pasta anytime
Poptarts
Drink mixes – best if individual packets w/ sugar incl. (i.e. Crystal Light)

Toiletries

A&D Ointment - for wet rashes
Band-aids
Shower to shower powder
Icy hot
Toilet paper
Baby wipes
Eye drops (Visine)
Deodorant
Lotion
Gold bond powder
Carmex – better than Chapstick if in hot climates
Razors
Shaving cream – Neutrogena Razor Defense has a non-aerosol one
Shampoo and Conditioner
Mouth wash
Gel insoles – in the pharmacy department at most stores
Soap
Body/shower gel
Pier 1 has a great backscratcher for $1 that bioteacherchick found

Misc.
Stress balls
Sneaker balls
Favorite magazines
Sunscreen
Sheets
Bug repellant spray or wipes – flea collars are not good for their skin
Newspapers – especially from their hometown
Books
Febreeze
Fan/water bottle combo
Envelopes and paper to write home with
Plastic utensils
Room deodorizers – ones that don’t need to plug in
Disposable cameras
Dixie cups
Tupperware – can be used for storage or to collect water for shaving
Kleenex
Batteries
Dryer sheets – makes everything smell great and homey
Small sewing kit
Laundry detergent – tabs

Games, etc.
Crossword puzzles
Word finds
Cards
Puzzles
Poker Set
Checkers
Slinky
Squirt guns
Silly putty
Nerf balls (see Boys and their Toys box below)
Hacky Sack
Frisbee
Baseball and gloves – can be expensive -2nd hand stores have them
Dart board – found one at Academy for $5

Clothes
“Under Armor” hot weather brown shirts - available at the PX
Underwear
Socks
Running shoes - they can go through these about every 3-4 months

Electronics/Things That Plug In
Portable DVD players
MP3 Players
DVDs
Blank CDRs - if they have a burner
CD/DVD cleaning kit
CDs
Small fan
Crock pot – make sure they can have heat producing items
Coffee pot – for hot water too, also make sure ok for heat producing items
Handheld video games - $10 at Target or Wal-Mart
Digital camera
Walkman
Game Boy color – around $70
Books on tape

Personal Things
Pre-printed address labels with both yours and their addresses
Calling cards – www.aafes.com has the best deal for international cards
Sheets – twin sized
Favorite pillow
Big, fluffy towel or bathsheet
Eggcrate mattress
B-day/Father’s/Mother’s Day/etc. cards for him to send to family members

Themed Package Ideas

Pamper Yourself Box
Foot scrub
Foot lotion
Back scrath - Pier One has one for $1 (Thanks, bioteacherchick!)
Foot soaking tub
Bathmat/rug for trailers or rooms - soft for feet
Bathsheet
Candle/room deoderizer in favorite scent
Shower gel and a scrub
Lotion
New shower shoes
Loofah
Apricot face scrub (especially if in sandy place)
Shoe insoles
Nail clippers
Shaving cream

Movie Box
Favourite movie
Popcorn - make sure they have use to microwave if needed
DVD case
Gift cert made by you for a movie date of their choice when they're home
Movie candy
Ticket stub from a past movie date with you when they were home

Boys and Their Toys Box
Water guns
Hand held games - Target and Wal Mart both have these for about $10
New game if they have video games
Football
Door basketball hoop with nerf ball
Dartboard - soft tips if shipping
Pinball games

House Warming Box
Clorox wipes
Small hand broom with dust pan
Room deoderizers
Kleenex
Hand can opener
Pictures to make it feel more like home
Candle
Febreeze
Books for beside bed - if time to read
Paper towels
Hand towels
Eggcrate
Sheets - not issued to DH
Tupperware to keep things sand free
Fabric, hanging sweater or shoe organziers for extra storage

Steamy Love Box
Pictures of your lingerie...without you in it...leaves something for the imagination. Lay each piece out on your bed individually (or in sets) and take a picture of it. Send one to DH each day for a week instead of all at once that way he got a weeks worth of eye candy. You can also send little notes along with each one like: "You know what black panties mean..." or "Red satin thong...$7. Black satin bra...$15. Black silk thigh highs...$18. The look on your face when I strip for you...Priceless!"
Go to www.pillowmail.com and create a steamy story for him. Instead of emailing it, print it off. The web site bioteacherchick got this idea from says it doesn't violate any rules.
Spray a new pillowcase with your perfume and put it in a zip lock bag...or put a new pillowcase on your pillow, wash your hair right before bed, and go to bed with it still damp. It will smell like your hair. Put it in a zip lock bag to keep the scent.
A love letter with lots of lipstick kisses on it.
A CD of romantic songs (or if you have a special song you play when you're getting frisky).
A sheriff's badge from the toys section of Walmart with a note attached that says I want him to frisk me when he gets home.

Holiday Care Package Ideas

July 4th/Memorial Day/Patriotic Box
Cracker Jacks
Chex mix - blue or red bag
White tic tacs
US flag - small or large
Skittles in red bag
Oreos in blue bag
Rice Krispy Treats - blue individually wrapped
Red, white or blue picture frame with a picture of you
Song CD with patriotic songs - will add song section later on

Halloween
Halloween Lights
Plastic jack-o-lantern
Candy Corn
Halloween CD or DVD
Halloween card
Favorite Halloween candy
Halloween Pez Dispenser
Plastic bats, rats, spiders, etc.
Fake teeth, blood, etc.
Halloween Oreos

Thanksgiving
Turkey Heater Meal (www.heatermeals.com)
Turkey Jerky - check restrictions (Thanks, airforcewifey)
Stove Top
Canned Cranberry Sauce (both thanks to Shaunsgirl)
Holiday Themed Boxer Shorts (thanks to MelianiLynne)
Instant Mashed Potatoes - need microwave or way to heat water (Thanks Kelly&Devon)
Air Wick Harvet Spice room deoderizer
Pumpkin seeds
Acorns or fall leaves from home
Thanksgiving stickers to decorate the box
Brach's Autumn Mix candy corn type candies
Fall paper towels (at Wal-Mart)
Reese Pieces (fall colors)
Small scarecrow (from Garden Ridge -$1)
Fall hand towel
Small resin turkey (from dollar store)
Paper turkey like the kind from when we were little
Happy Thanksgiving sign - dollar store
Thanksgiving day card

Christmas Ideas
Christmas tree - small for room
Large tree if possible - Wal Mart has one that is 6 ft for $15
Ornaments, icicles and fake snow for trees (don't forget hooks)
Christmas card
Lights
Candy Canes
Stocking
Stocking Stuffers
Presents - if coming home soon or space is limited, take a picture of the present and send that wrapped
Talking Christmas Ornament (Wal-Mart, Hallmark and online)

Cute Ideas
Take a film canister or baby food jar and fill it with dirt from your backyard so they always have a bit of home with them.
Photo mouse pad – Kinko’s sells them that you can change out the photo. Take a them photo each month (Jan – winter; Feb – Valentine’s; Mar – spring, etc.) and send it to him about a month in advance. That way he has something fun to look forward to.
Take a good picture of you two, write a note on the back and cut it up into many pieces. Put one piece in every other letter or card.
Create a calendar of pictures he’ll love. That way he can count down the months apart and see a new picture each month.
Before my DH left I bought a desk calendar and wrote a message on each day (I love you, I miss you, happy anniversary, etc.). He gets a note from me every day that he is gone.
I bought self-laminating papers at an office supply store and laminated about 20 pictures, putting two back to back. I did 4x6 size and then looped them all on a key ring. It was the perfect size to put in his front pocket and I can send new ones whenever and he can add them easily.

General Shipping Tips
www.usps.com has available free shipping supplies for priority mail. It is recommended to send things priority because it gets it to the boats quicker. The number 7 box is the perfect size to use for care packages.
If you are sending liquids, make sure that you put them inside a ziplock first. It is a great idea to put all the items in your boxes in zip locks so that if another box next to it leaks, your items will still be protected.
One of the best things I have puchased since DH deployed is a food saver. Wal Mart and Target both have them and it makes life easier.
You can also pop some popcorn and use it to fill in the spaces in the boxes. It will not only protect your items but if you put it in baggies and them put it in there, it will be a yummy treat!
If making and shipping homemade goodies, put a slice of bread in with them. It will take care of any extra moisture. Also, try to pack baked goods in a tin, pringles can or tupperware. It will help it make the trip in one piece.

Good greef that list is long. I just threw in some things I thought he might like. Valentines Day is tomorrow so I sent cards. I also sent him the following:
CD player with a 10 CD's
toothpaste (travel size)
mouthwash (travel size)
goldbond foot powder (travel size)
his favorite candy
gum
soups (microwavable)

I think that was it. I sent him travel size things because he only has a little over a month left! It was just to let him know that I was thinking of him. I didnt even tell him I sent him one...lol. Im wondering what he will say!
hand sanitizer (travle size)
brownies
body wash (travel size)

[Pebbles]

Originally Posted by skyangel51001 Good greef that list is long.

It sure is.

But it has helped out a few people.

[Traci]

Originally Posted by Lucia Basics to Send Food Beef jerky Cereal bars Parmalatt nonrefrigerated milk Oreos – great with above Ice tea bags Oatmeal packs – also comes in individual servings in their own cups Easy Mac – needs access to a microwave Popcorn – also needs microwave access unless pre-popped Single serve cereals Fruit cups – don’t forget the spoon Hard candies – won’t melt Gum – better if in foil pockets than wraps for heat Instant coffee Tuna in the “fresh pouch” Crackers Slim Jims Potted meats and crackers – can get together in a kit for ease Little Debbie snack cakes – usually don’t melt that bad Licorice Nuts – peanuts, cashews, pecans, etc. Pretzels Rice Krispie Treats Goldfish crackers Applesauce cups – don’t forget the spoon Raisins Trail mix Heater meals – t.v. dinner types requiring no heating (heatermeals.com) Soup at Hand – need microwave Pasta anytime Poptarts Drink mixes – best if individual packets w/ sugar incl. (i.e. Crystal Light) Toiletries A&D Ointment - for wet rashes Band-aids Shower to shower powder Icy hot Toilet paper Baby wipes Eye drops (Visine) Deodorant Lotion Gold bond powder Carmex – better than Chapstick if in hot climates Razors Shaving cream – Neutrogena Razor Defense has a non-aerosol one Shampoo and Conditioner Mouth wash Gel insoles – in the pharmacy department at most stores Soap Body/shower gel Pier 1 has a great backscratcher for $1 that bioteacherchick found Misc. Stress balls Sneaker balls Favorite magazines Sunscreen Sheets Bug repellant spray or wipes – flea collars are not good for their skin Newspapers – especially from their hometown Books Febreeze Fan/water bottle combo Envelopes and paper to write home with Plastic utensils Room deodorizers – ones that don’t need to plug in Disposable cameras Dixie cups Tupperware – can be used for storage or to collect water for shaving Kleenex Batteries Dryer sheets – makes everything smell great and homey Small sewing kit Laundry detergent – tabs Games, etc. Crossword puzzles Word finds Cards Puzzles Poker Set Checkers Slinky Squirt guns Silly putty Nerf balls (see Boys and their Toys box below) Hacky Sack Frisbee Baseball and gloves – can be expensive -2nd hand stores have them Dart board – found one at Academy for $5 Clothes “Under Armor” hot weather brown shirts - available at the PX Underwear Socks Running shoes - they can go through these about every 3-4 months Electronics/Things That Plug In Portable DVD players MP3 Players DVDs Blank CDRs - if they have a burner CD/DVD cleaning kit CDs Small fan Crock pot – make sure they can have heat producing items Coffee pot – for hot water too, also make sure ok for heat producing items Handheld video games - $10 at Target or Wal-Mart Digital camera Walkman Game Boy color – around $70 Books on tape Personal Things Pre-printed address labels with both yours and their addresses Calling cards – www.aafes.com has the best deal for international cards Sheets – twin sized Favorite pillow Big, fluffy towel or bathsheet Eggcrate mattress B-day/Father’s/Mother’s Day/etc. cards for him to send to family members Themed Package Ideas Pamper Yourself Box Foot scrub Foot lotion Back scrath - Pier One has one for $1 (Thanks, bioteacherchick!) Foot soaking tub Bathmat/rug for trailers or rooms - soft for feet Bathsheet Candle/room deoderizer in favorite scent Shower gel and a scrub Lotion New shower shoes Loofah Apricot face scrub (especially if in sandy place) Shoe insoles Nail clippers Shaving cream Movie Box Favourite movie Popcorn - make sure they have use to microwave if needed DVD case Gift cert made by you for a movie date of their choice when they're home Movie candy Ticket stub from a past movie date with you when they were home Boys and Their Toys Box Water guns Hand held games - Target and Wal Mart both have these for about $10 New game if they have video games Football Door basketball hoop with nerf ball Dartboard - soft tips if shipping Pinball games House Warming Box Clorox wipes Small hand broom with dust pan Room deoderizers Kleenex Hand can opener Pictures to make it feel more like home Candle Febreeze Books for beside bed - if time to read Paper towels Hand towels Eggcrate Sheets - not issued to DH Tupperware to keep things sand free Fabric, hanging sweater or shoe organziers for extra storage Steamy Love Box Pictures of your lingerie...without you in it...leaves something for the imagination. Lay each piece out on your bed individually (or in sets) and take a picture of it. Send one to DH each day for a week instead of all at once that way he got a weeks worth of eye candy. You can also send little notes along with each one like: "You know what black panties mean..." or "Red satin thong...$7. Black satin bra...$15. Black silk thigh highs...$18. The look on your face when I strip for you...Priceless!" Go to www.pillowmail.com and create a steamy story for him. Instead of emailing it, print it off. The web site bioteacherchick got this idea from says it doesn't violate any rules. Spray a new pillowcase with your perfume and put it in a zip lock bag...or put a new pillowcase on your pillow, wash your hair right before bed, and go to bed with it still damp. It will smell like your hair. Put it in a zip lock bag to keep the scent. A love letter with lots of lipstick kisses on it. A CD of romantic songs (or if you have a special song you play when you're getting frisky). A sheriff's badge from the toys section of Walmart with a note attached that says I want him to frisk me when he gets home. Holiday Care Package Ideas July 4th/Memorial Day/Patriotic Box Cracker Jacks Chex mix - blue or red bag White tic tacs US flag - small or large Skittles in red bag Oreos in blue bag Rice Krispy Treats - blue individually wrapped Red, white or blue picture frame with a picture of you Song CD with patriotic songs - will add song section later on Halloween Halloween Lights Plastic jack-o-lantern Candy Corn Halloween CD or DVD Halloween card Favorite Halloween candy Halloween Pez Dispenser Plastic bats, rats, spiders, etc. Fake teeth, blood, etc. Halloween Oreos Thanksgiving Turkey Heater Meal (www.heatermeals.com) Turkey Jerky - check restrictions (Thanks, airforcewifey) Stove Top Canned Cranberry Sauce (both thanks to Shaunsgirl) Holiday Themed Boxer Shorts (thanks to MelianiLynne) Instant Mashed Potatoes - need microwave or way to heat water (Thanks Kelly&Devon) Air Wick Harvet Spice room deoderizer Pumpkin seeds Acorns or fall leaves from home Thanksgiving stickers to decorate the box Brach's Autumn Mix candy corn type candies Fall paper towels (at Wal-Mart) Reese Pieces (fall colors) Small scarecrow (from Garden Ridge -$1) Fall hand towel Small resin turkey (from dollar store) Paper turkey like the kind from when we were little Happy Thanksgiving sign - dollar store Thanksgiving day card Christmas Ideas Christmas tree - small for room Large tree if possible - Wal Mart has one that is 6 ft for $15 Ornaments, icicles and fake snow for trees (don't forget hooks) Christmas card Lights Candy Canes Stocking Stocking Stuffers Presents - if coming home soon or space is limited, take a picture of the present and send that wrapped Talking Christmas Ornament (Wal-Mart, Hallmark and online) Cute Ideas Take a film canister or baby food jar and fill it with dirt from your backyard so they always have a bit of home with them. Photo mouse pad – Kinko’s sells them that you can change out the photo. Take a them photo each month (Jan – winter; Feb – Valentine’s; Mar – spring, etc.) and send it to him about a month in advance. That way he has something fun to look forward to. Take a good picture of you two, write a note on the back and cut it up into many pieces. Put one piece in every other letter or card. Create a calendar of pictures he’ll love. That way he can count down the months apart and see a new picture each month. Before my DH left I bought a desk calendar and wrote a message on each day (I love you, I miss you, happy anniversary, etc.). He gets a note from me every day that he is gone. I bought self-laminating papers at an office supply store and laminated about 20 pictures, putting two back to back. I did 4x6 size and then looped them all on a key ring. It was the perfect size to put in his front pocket and I can send new ones whenever and he can add them easily. General Shipping Tips www.usps.com has available free shipping supplies for priority mail. It is recommended to send things priority because it gets it to the boats quicker. The number 7 box is the perfect size to use for care packages. If you are sending liquids, make sure that you put them inside a ziplock first. It is a great idea to put all the items in your boxes in zip locks so that if another box next to it leaks, your items will still be protected. One of the best things I have puchased since DH deployed is a food saver. Wal Mart and Target both have them and it makes life easier. You can also pop some popcorn and use it to fill in the spaces in the boxes. It will not only protect your items but if you put it in baggies and them put it in there, it will be a yummy treat! If making and shipping homemade goodies, put a slice of bread in with them. It will take care of any extra moisture. Also, try to pack baked goods in a tin, pringles can or tupperware. It will help it make the trip in one piece.

Wow thats some list. Great job. It makes me want you to send me a package.LOL My DH loves the kool-aid singles and stuff for athletes foot. I always send him a pair of panties in the beginning of a deploymnet. this last deployment was a 1 year land on. I sant him a well, um, a guy toy . Since his mail went to his shop I pack in in a seperate box and wrote open in private all over it. He got a big kick out of it.LOL

[Pebbles]

Originally Posted by Traci Wow thats some list. Great job. It makes me want you to send me a package.LOL My DH loves the kool-aid singles and stuff for athletes foot. I always send him a pair of panties in the beginning of a deploymnet. this last deployment was a 1 year land on. I sant him a well, um, a guy toy . Since his mail went to his shop I pack in in a seperate box and wrote open in private all over it. He got a big kick out of it.LOL

You're welcome