Care Packages?

When my hubby is over i always send him stuff. I sent him economy sized candy (starbursts are his favorite), movies, spam, cup of noodles (or anything similar that he could just heat and eat), games, sunscreen, bath necessities, razors, shirts and shorts (they don't always have to be in uniform), pj pants (I sent him corona ones....the other guys though it was awesome), comic strip books, books, etc. He had a family that found him through a site (I think it was any soldier) and they also sent him things for every tour....tees, hats, pictures of their vacations (scenery). Every package he got always had a letter (almost like a penpal). Oh! Also a wife of one of his higher up's (sorry, I can't remember rank) sent over silly string, mini pool tables, super balls, and other novelty things she found at a joke store in a box. He said it was one of the best packages ever. I also sent over footballs, frisbees, and water guns for him and his soldiers for their down time. Basically anything to distract them and also keep them updated. oh! and one other thing I did, I would send baked goods (cookies and brownies), but HALF BAKED...by the time they got to him, they finished cooking from the heat in the box. Just have fun with the packages.

It depends on where they are and what they mean to you (random troop, or a family member). Some places are too dangerous for them to have a lot of the "fun stuff", but you could send board games or card games like uno, maybe even a gameboy. There are food items that are sometimes hard to get, certain candies, and homemade treats are great. My stepmom always made cookies, but some sent breads or even fruits in well padded boxes of course. We sent my dad a few video tapes while he was over in Kuwait. All the guys had fun laughing at the jokes we made. We just bantered back and forth and asked questions as if he were sitting with us at the table. My dad played that tape if he wanted to see or hear us, or even just have a laugh after a long day.

Most soldiers really appreciate anything you send, you're doing a great thing.

Most all of the bases in Iraq have a Px/Bx or exchange program where they have food and snacks and other basics. The things that tend to get expensive are things like Phone cards. It cost a lot of minutes to call home and the soldiers arent "balling" over there like many people assume. The contract workers are making all the money, not the enlisted military. Thanks for what you and your family do~ please make sure each package has a NAME on it or it will be discarded due to security reasons and your efforts will be pointless.

As was said earlier, the BX usually has a lot of the essential food stuff, but I always appreciated current magazines, Maxim, etc. Because most times the mags at the BX are outdated, and you can spend your 4 bucks on better stuff. I also really liked smoked sausage and crackers as an anytime snack... My dad also engineered a way to get booze in to me through care packages, but that's a story for another time.

Candy is always good....something like life savers that are individualy wrapped. That way they can put the candy in their pockets for when they are on patrol, etc.

Wet wipes

Disposable razors

Gum

Bottled water

puzzle books

pens

paper

hand sanitzer (small bottles)

Cereal bars (again something wrapped individualy)

Granola bars (again something wrapped individually)

Packages of crackers (the kind that have 6 or 8 crackers in a pack)

These are some things that I sent to my cousin while he was over in Iraq.

OH! He wanted peanut butter too!

i've used anysoldier for a long time and i've always sent just what they ask for. I usually tell them that if they need something to let me know and i'll do my best... from the letters i've gotten i think it depends on where they are and their living conditions. i haven't fought in a war but i had a pretty isolated job crab fishing in alaska and letters were so helpful. people don't realize how much letters mean.. your family is doing a good thing.

my husband is always requesting food. he told me that food over there is really bad and it makes him sick all thie time. i send him what ever can with stand the trip. he has a microwave so i send him anytihng that is microwaveable. oh yeah i sent him some microwaveable mashed potatoes and it call for 2 cups of water. he doesnt have a measureing cup and their water comes in liters not cups or ounces. just a thought...

Based on my experience sending my husband packages while he was deployed, I have written an article that talks about what they want and how to best ship it. Here is the link - hope it helps.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2119433_pack-care-package-...

I hear food is best, apparently the food is terrible over there and any snacks and food stuff it greatly appreciatated.

Wet wipes.