Support Our Troops: Send 'Em A Fun Holiday Care Package
Last year was the first time we sent a care package to U.S. soldiers we didn't even know.
We were inspired by all of the responses this article I wrote which included dozens of fun ideas for soliders' care packages.
So Jim & I went shopping with a couple hundred dollars... we loaded up the biggest box we could find... and mailed it off to some medics in Baghdad.
Our care package was very well received, so I thought I would share some of the items we included inside in case others are still looking for ideas...
Is There Still Time To Send Packages?
Perhaps the best news is... it's not too late.
I know they said the last date to send packages to soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq was a couple days ago (mid-November is usually the cut-off, ideally speaking).
But if our experience last year is any indication, then you can actually send packages as late as December 7th (that's what we did last year) and they'll likely still receive them by Christmas (December 19th in our case).
NOTE: Erin posted a comment stating that December 11th is the last possible date to send military packages overseas in time for Christmas. And here's a list of USPS holiday package delivery dates.
In my opinion, the date isn't as important as the thought and whatever gift(s) you might be sending, anyway. Remember, the Troops will appreciate your gifts any day and any time of year... not just Christmas!
Some Of The Things We Sent Last Year
- Poker cards & chips set
- Bouncy balls
- Bubbles
- Stress balls to squish
- Chewing gum
- Frisbees
- Caramel candies
- DVD movies
- Cracker Jacks
- Athletic balls to play catch (soccer, football, basketball)
- Water balloons
- Cribbage game
- Dice & Yatzee game
- Crackers
- Hard candies
- Chapstick & Carmex
- Jenga game
- White chocolate-covered pretzels
TIP: If you're planning to send a care package, it's best to send several of the same items -- that way lots of soldiers in the same unit can participate and enjoy all of the fun surprises.
Some Of The Things We Might Send This Year
Our nephew is currently serving in Iraq... so we'll be sending our overstuffed care package to his unit this year.
We plan to include some of the same items mentioned above, plus some of these:
- Flea collars
- Chex mix
- Gatorade
- Hand Lotion
- Toothbrushes & toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Microwave popcorn
- Sunflower seeds
- Oreo cookies
- Pop tarts
- Granola bars
- Batteries (AAA and AA)
- Baby wipes
- ThermaCare heat wraps
- Pillows
- Mouthwash
- Foot powder
- Christmas candy
- Ziploc baggies
- Twizzlers
- Tootsie Pops
- Hacky sack footbags
- Instant oatmeal packs
- Pistachio nuts in the shells
- Hot chocolate
- Canned chicken salad
- Peanut butter
- Pillowcases
- Peanuts in the shells
- Tootsie roll candies
- Sudoku puzzle books
- Canned microwavable foods
- 15-in-1 game set
UPDATE: 11/17/07:
Here are some photos of the items we packed into our 2007 Care Package:
More great gift ideas here, here, and here.
UPDATE 11/30/08:
Here are some of the things we sent this year:
P.S. For the record, this year our local Post Office said they wouldn't accept our box filled with goodies because it was too big. (Even though it was a tad smaller than last year's box.) They said the maximum sizes allowed were: 20" long x 12" wide x 12" high or 68" total. Fortunately, our local Mailboxes Etc. delivered it for us without a problem.
And Finally, A Gentle Reminder...
When you are making out your holiday card list this year, you may want to include the following:
A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20307-5001
Happy holidays, everyone. Thanks to all who have generously continued to Support Our Troops!
For the person looking for something simple to send to a friend, perhaps a greeting card with an iTunes gift card. I know my friend who is based in Kuwait downloads a lot of mp3s to listen to. It's small but will still be appreciated I'm sure. Hope this helps! What a great website! So glad I found it. Thanks to all for the great ideas!
i would luv to help Deborah. my name is Lisa and i live outside of Chicago. please email his address ldiehl5572@yahoo.com
i want to send somethin simple to a friend serving out in helmund i dnt want to send a care package rite away jst somethin simple i wud really appreciate some help if anyone has any ideas thnx so much x
When you send your package, usps flat rate boxes, be sure to insure them and then pay for the tracking. I sent two boxes months ago and he only received one of them. The last two boxes that I sent I paid extra for the tracking! I want to make sure our soldiers get what they so deserve!
My son has been deployed to Iraq. If someone would like to help me send care packages to him I would appreciate it very much. I have lost my job and don't have very much money to sent the packages. E-mail me and I will give you his address!
talleydebra@bellsouth.net
thank you all for the great ideas by boyfriend is not in iraq and i needed ideas for care packages this site is great.. again thank you and god bless you all
Tanya
Hi Maria. My husband is in Iraq, and I hate to ask for this. but would your triplets like to adopt my husband to send packages to. In this day and age you have to have a specific soldiers name to send packages to. You can email me at sayrelilley@yahoo.com if you'd like. and I'd love to give you his address. We just don't have the money to buy all the things he needs, and ship them out there to Iraq.
There is a program through usps. You call 1-800-610-8734, ask them to send you a military kit. This kit includes the priority flat rat boxes 2 of each size, the taps, name tags, and paperwork needed to send. FREE! You just pay the flat rate of shipping.
Hey Kaycee.
Thank you someone told me about the flat rate boxes. But they aren't very big. Do you know how much it costs to send like one bigger box? or would it just be outrageous? my email address is sayrelilley@yahoo.com
Lilly, please feel free to email me, I have mailed several boxes to my boyfriend, and best friend. I am now packing a box for my best friends husband. You can get the APO boxes for free from the post office it is a 12.95 flat rate shipping charge but if you insure it, it will cost a few dollars more. This is something I reccomend.. Any other questions please email me, I will help you any way I can..
Sayre Lilley - please email me at marcileary@gmail.com!! I have adopted soldiers myself and I have several friends who would really like to participate. Please let me know!!! We would love to send things to your husband! Thank you!!!
You can Support The Troops with a bracelet from SupportUSA.org - proceeds benefit disabled veterans.
Hi. This is my husband's first deployment and I wanted to send him a care package. but I didn't know is there a discount for military? I'm worried I don't have enough money to send the package once I finish buying all the stuff to put in it! lol Is there a way to sign my husband up to receive items from other people? We don't have enough money for me to keep buying all this stuff and shipping it over to him.
I just sent a package off to my step son this afternoon so no, it's not too late to send off a package to the troops.
And tell your son we said "Thanks!"
I have 9 year old triplets who would like to send a care package to soldiers serving in Iraq for us. We are very appreciative and would like to do something to help in some way. Is it too late for me to send a package? If not, where do you recommend address it to? Thank you!
Holiday cards should be mailed to:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD. 20791-5456
All cards must be postmarked no later than Dec. 10. Cards should not be mailed or delivered to Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
For more information, visit www.wramc.amedd.army.mil or www.redcross.org/holidaymail for Holiday Mail for Heroes program guidelines.Walter Reed is not accepting mail addressed to "A Recovering American Soldier."
These are some wonderful ideas, Lynnette. God bless your nephew and all the other fine young men and women serving overseas to protect our nation.
Wow, what a bummer.
Thanks for the info, Kelly.
In case anyone's wondering, here is the Walter Reed Medical Center's official statement about this:
Found your blog today and think it's great for sending packages to the soldiers. Just wanted to let you know though, that Walter Reed Medical Center will not accept mail with "A Recovering American Soldier" on it. The mail needs to have a specific soldier's name. Thanks for remembering and supporting our troops!
Kelly