My nephew just recently deplyed to Iraq. We are looking to put together a care package for him. I thought I would find an easy list - boy was I wrong. So here is my list that I put together after visiting many sites and reading lots of blogs.
If I can give some ideas even for one soldier's family - I am happy....
Personal Care: (Think travel size)
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste Travel Size
- Floss
- Multi Vitamins
- Unscented Baby Wipes Travel Size
- Hand Sanitizer
- Lip Balm
- Disposable Razors
- Bug repellant (like Deep Woods Off) to keep the sand fleas off.
- Waterproof sunscreen
- Aloe Vera lotion
- Deodorant
- Lotion
- Small packages of Kleenex.
- Throat lozenges
- Eye drops
- Pain relievers, like Tylenol, Aspirin, Motrin, etc.
- Jock itch powder
- Feminine Itch Powder
- Tampons
- Feminine Hygiene Pads
- Hair Bands
- Small Mirrors
- Foot powder, packed in a Ziploc bag.
- Moleskin
- Shaving gel in tubes (no shaving cream)
- Toilet Paper
- Boot insoles
- Unscented Baby Powder
- Nail Clippers
- Nail Files
- Ivory Soap
- Medicated Face Wipes
- Eye Drops
- Cotton Balls
- Mouth Wash
Snacks & Treats:
- Hard Candy
- Mints
- Starburst
- Skittles
- Gum
- Dried Fruit
- Fruit Roll Ups
- Cigars
- Lifesavers
- Pringles
- Doritos
- Cheetos
- Beef Jerky
- Crystal Lite Drink Mix
- Peanut Brittle
- Bubble Gum
- Sardines.
- Small packages of ground coffee
- Instant hot chocolate.
- Nuts
- Sunflower seeds
- Trail mix (no chocolate - it melts)
- Crackers
- Mrs. Dash
- Hot Sauce
- Tabasco Sauce
- Mustard Packets
- Relish Packets
- Quaker instant oatmeal
- Instant espresso powder
- Instant Flavored Coffee
- Tea Bags
- Single Serving Dry Cereal
- Spices (onion powder, red pepper flakes, garlic powder)
- Lollipops
- Ragu Express
- Granola Bars
- MILK Parmalat packs 2% milk
- Powdered Creamer
- Sugar Packets
- Single Serving Mac & Cheese
- Single Serving Hamburger Helper
- Soup packets
- Tuna lunch-to-go packs
- Meal replacement drinks, such as Ensure in lightweight bottles
- Powdered Gatorade
- Ramen Noodles
- Chewing Tobacco
- Salad Dressing
- Canned Chicken
- Salsa
- Snack Cakes
Other Desirables:
- White Athletic Socks
- Dark Green Boot Socks
- Underwear
- Beanie Babies (They are giving them to the kids)
- Brown or Tan T-Shirts L & XL
- Ziploc Bags Gallon Size
- Stationary
- Envelopes (no stamps needed)
- Pens
- Disposable cameras
- Prepaid phone cards. (AT&T is good in Kuwait)
- Cigarettes
- Q Tips
- Pipe Cleaners
- Deck of Cards
- Uno
- Neck Coolers
- Flashlights (ones that clip on and small hand held)
- Battery Powered fans
- Small colorful calendars
- Portable Shower
- Blow Kiddie Pool
- iTunes Gift Cards
- Disposable Hand Warmers
- Stress Ball
- Yo Yo's
- Squirt Guns
- Frisbees
- Hackie Sacks
- Balloons
- Sidewalk Chalk
- Miniature Nerf Footballs
- Miniature Nerf Basketballs
- Slinky
- Bandannas
- Small Board Games on Keychains
Magazines:
- Fitness
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Boating
- Cars/Hot Rods
- Guns/Ammo
- Crosswords
- Word search games
- Anagrams
- Pocket Bible
- Paperback Books
- Soduku
- Rubik's Cube
- Madlibs
- Mail order catalogs, so military personnel can shop for friends/family back home.
Notes from us to the soldiers to let them know we are supporting them. They can hold a letter and read it again and again. They can't hold an email. You can include a self addressed envelope - you might get a pen pal.
Send small boxes - and check with the post office for the right way to mail them. Lots of mail calls makes a happy soldier.
Comments(3)