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Great Ideas For U.S. Soldiers Care Packages

army-helicopter-delivers-packages-to-soldiers-by-TheUSArmy.jpg Most of these came from listening to the radio program “Ryan & Gretchen” in the morning on Q108 (107.9 FM in Nashville).

When I tuned in, they were compiling this growing list of items “live” on the air — with listeners (servicemen and women, as well as their spouses & friends) calling in and adding their own.

One of the coolest things to me was the fact that they had an in-studio guest who had served TDY in the U.S. military providing feedback about:

the types of items that American soldiers need most

which items are the easiest for male and female soldiers to utilize

items that might sound like a great idea, but for one reason or another are not wise to send to soldiers

It was great to hear the point-of-view from someone who has been there, done that!

Here are the best items recommended for military care packages…


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Included are most of the items from Gretchen and Ryan’s list, along with several of my own after I did a good bit of research myself to see what servicemen and women really wanted…


The Best Items To Include In Military Care Packages:

Deodorant
Shower to Shower body powder
Jelly beans
Disposable camera
Rice Krispie treats
Altoids or mints
Beef jerky
Snack mixes
Sunflower seeds
Chewing gum
Nuts
Long-distance phone cards
Little Debbie’s snacks
Ziploc bags (for keeping things airtight, watertight, and fresher)
Coffee
Gatorade
Jaw breakers
Poker game
Playing cards
Dice
Music CDs
Toothbrushes & toothpaste
Inflatable pillow
Cookies or muffins in individual packages (Big bags often fill with dust if not eaten right away.)
Dominoes
Canned food items
Footbag/hacky-sac
Spices (crushed red pepper), salt, pepper
Smoked oysters and sardines
Squeeze butter
Pringles chips
Individually-wrapped licorice
Microwave popcorn
DVD movies
Ramen noodles
Macaroni & cheese
Disposable shower towels
Olives, pickles, peppers (Be sure to add lots and lots of bubble wrap around these items.)
Cereal bars/granola bars
Microwave pasta that doesn’t need refrigeration
Bed pillows (these were a hit with my nephew!)
Hot cocoa mix
Soup mix
M&M’s (plain or peanut)
Newspapers
Magazines (these don’t have to be brand new)
Koozies to keep water
bottles and cans cool
AA batteries
D size batteries
Air fresheners (…like stick-ups, F’breeze. My personal favorite is Citrus Magic in the pure linen scent.)
Canned air to blow dust out of electronics
Stress relief squeeze balls
Sewing kit
Baby wipes
Board games
Shoe laces for gym shoes and boots
Brown t-shirts
Boot socks
Underwear
Hand warmers
Inflatable seat cushions
Razors
Juice boxes and drink pouches
Ink pens
Notepads of paper
Word Puzzle books
Air activated heat wraps for sore muscles
Foot massager
Icy hot patches
Microwaveable plates, bowls, paper plates
Foot powder
Vitamins
Paperback books
Gift baskets filled with lots of useful items and packaged as a present
Video games (Nintendo Wii, Playstation, Xbox)

 

Other Fun Ideas

Now, for a few really unique ideas that I put together after talking with my nephew who is a U.S. Marine.

These are things that most people don’t already have, and you can bet they would be a welcomed diversion:

 

 

UPDATES:

Ideas for gift baskets sent to soldiers as care packages.

Tips for sending packages to U.S. military overseas.

Fun new gift ideas for soldiers and their families.

Thanks that cost less for military care packages.

What we sent to a couple of military units in Iraq the past few years.

How to find military addresses for those would like to receive soldier care packages.

Tips for sending food items to U.S. troops.

 

Lynnette Walczak

I like to help people find unique ways to do things in order to save time & money -- so I frequently write about "outside the box" ideas that most wouldn't think of. As a lifelong dog owner, I often share my best tips for living with and training dogs. I worked in Higher Ed several years until switching gears to pursue things I was more passionate about. I've worked at a vet, in a photo lab, and at a zoo -- to name a few. I enjoy the outdoors via bicycle, motorcycle, Jeep, or RV. You can always find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun websites).

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  • MaiaD1

    I am a soldier in Camp Carroll, South Korea. With this economy now my family does not have the money to send me care packages. I would be really grateful if i can receive one. Anything will be helpful. My address is:

    PV2 Dinger, Maia
    551 ICTC 
    Unit 15771
    APO AP 96260

    P.S.-  My roommate is pregnant and is struggling with money as well. She doesn’t know what she needs for a baby. She is going to have a boy. She has the same address and her name is PV2 Turenne, Courtney. 

                                                                                                        Thank you!

    • Guest

      MaiaD1, 

      I hope you have gotten a response to your post.  I have an adopted male soldier and I have been wanting to send items to females, so I will get a package for ya’ll on the way! 

      Take care! 

    • Kwedel17

      I just had a babyboy about 7 months ago. I have some stuff. I’ll get together a care package and send some stuff for you and Courtney. Hope it helps the both of you out. I don’t have much money but I’ll do what I can because I care. <3 Kilshandra Wedel aka Kelly

    • Kathi Allison

      How long will you be at this address?

  • Marge

    Lynnette,
    KLASSY Toffee (www.klassytoffee.com) gives a free box of toffee away to a Soldier stationed in a combat zone for every box they sell. If you buy a pound, they will ship a free pound to a troop. It’s a great thing to do and I thought you could maybe add it to the list. I bought 5 pounds and 5 pounds were sent to a unit in Afghanistan (they wouldn’t tell me the Soldiers who got them due to opsec reasons though).
    Just FYI

    • http://thefuntimesguide.com/ FunTimesGuide

      That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing this information, Marge :-D

  • Karamelkreme69@hotmail.com

    If I wanted to send Hershey kiss in my care package would it melt done we are in the winter months or should I be ok to do it

  • Ashleyw8

    M&M’s melt in your mouth not in your hand…. Those are the best type of chocolate to send.