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Comment by Stbl on November 19, 2018 at 7:14pm

Anti M I’m so sorry for your loss especially with the holidays coming up. ❤️

Comment by Allison on November 18, 2018 at 10:44pm

I had to edit after I told my husband because when we talked about it, I just felt you should know  

AntiM, if there’s ever anything you need, or if you ever want to talk, I hope you know my husband and I are always here for you. You and your husband have helped us both so much with your combined knowledge on our journey, more than you probably even realize. We just talked about times we actually fought over what you had told us or posted somewhere else vs. what his chief or sponsor had told us, and we would take the chance and put our faith in you, and you never steered us wrong until eventually, we didn’t fight it anymore and used your posts, old and new, almost exlusively to guide us. And it was more than just my husband’s career…just through the bits and pieces you shared over the last couple years, the stories you shared and the way you talked about him, you and your husband had a positive influence on our marriage as well. For once, I’m actually at a loss for words (haha) trying to describe the impact you guys had…but you like changed our perspectives on a lot of things both military and non-military related. You guys mean a lot to us, and we are both so sorry to hear of his passing. 

Comment by Allison on November 18, 2018 at 9:45pm

Oh yeah. That’s a good point that I didn’t make clear. I cut and glue construction paper/wrapping paper, etc. to fit inside the box and write messages on the underside of the flaps, so the boys see them when they open the package. You can decorate the outside, but I found after my first care package I sent that they will advise you not to at the post office because it can cause confusion and shipping delays, so I wrapped it again in brown paper. This is also a good tip if you want to send something gift wrapped but don’t want to have to get another box just to mail it, just wrap it in brown paper! 

Comment by BusyBee mom on November 18, 2018 at 9:32pm

Anti M so sorry for your loss. May he Rest In Peace. 

Comment by Anti M on November 18, 2018 at 8:34pm

I wish my husband was here to answer the ship questions (he passed away this summer, not sure who on the board knows or does not).  He was an ET, they had a microwave in the workshop.  Other sailors might not be able to do that.

Most barracks do have a common kitchen area even if they do not have individual microwaves and fridges in their rooms.  It will vary, because some of the barracks are far newer than others.  The one I was in decades ago is still in use.  I feel really bad for anyone who has to be in those!

Tip: decorate the inside of the box instead of the outside!

Comment by Allison on November 18, 2018 at 7:29pm

Sorry! I try to use good punctuation, but then I end up just typing stream of thought haha. Anyway, my husband had a microwave in his barracks room on the USS Wisconsin and I can’t remember the ship he was transferred to after that, but they had them as well. I can’t say for sure they’re in every barracks though, so if your sailor doesn’t have a microwave, they might want to check if they have like a “kitchen area” on the first floor of their barracks. I used to bring food to my husband’s first barracks, and there was like a little area with an oven, a stove, and a microwave that I could heat stuff up, and there was a table I could set it out on buffet style. 

Now, on an actual ship, I don’t know. My husband didn’t go to ships like most sailors. I’d assume they have some kind of hot water in the galley, and for things like cup of noodles, you can just put the hot water for tea in it and cover it for 5 min. 

Comment by BusyBee mom on November 18, 2018 at 5:03pm

Thanks Allison! So many great ideas!!

Comment by Smoothsailing on November 18, 2018 at 4:07pm

awesome post Allison. I had to pause for a second as I pictured all these Navy guys lined up in the break room at target to heat up their mashed potatoes. LOL  Had to do a double take on that sentence. Sorry, now I get it. So you are saying that they have a microwave they can use in the barracks at GL? My son is aboard the USS North Carolina- I’m assuming they all have access to a microwave?   (When he lived in the dorms he had to take his own) Thanks. 

Comment by Allison on November 18, 2018 at 3:29pm

BusyBee mom, hair clippers make a great Christmas gift for male sailors and females who choose to keep their hair short. My husband used them all the time, as did his friends panicking before inspections haha. 

Myjazzy, I usually send themed prepackaged foods. The internet is full of ideas, but you just have to be really specific like military care packages or thanksgiving care packages. Last year, I found one that my husband LOVED. I bought him everything for a “fake” thanksgiving. I got like sweet potato chips, turkey jerky, crasins, the little debbie’s pumpkin muffins, etc. Then I decorated the box with orange/brown/yellow construction paper and wrote like how thankful I was for him and everything he does for us. I even found some instant mashed potatoes you can make in the microwave at target. He said they weren’t bad. For Christmas one year I did like a small stocking with a couple gift cards, Christmas themed candies like peppermint bark, candy canes, and stuff like that…he loves the sugar cookies that come out this time of year, and I found some cheap little toys from target’s stocking stuffers, like a LEGO Santa and a reindeer that pooped chocolate lol. I also found a tiny tree and fairy lights he could put in his room…that wouldn’t work for someone deployed, but he thought it was fun and kept his spirits up. One year for Easter I bought cheap plastic eggs and put candies and coins and notes in them and used tissue paper to make it like a “hunt.” 

Anyway, yes you can directly ship through amazon, but you can also order priority mail boxes from Usps and you save a $1-2 on shipping since it’s to a military address if you have things you want to send with it from home like pictures or cards or things he already owns and wants. I like to do it that way, so I can make the boxes for my husband and his friends more personal and festive. 

As for top ramen, he should be able to microwave it in a bowl. Having a bowl/plate/a couple pieces of silverware shouldn’t be an issue, but maybe send a cheap one from target or dollar tree if you’re worried. Otherwise, they make microwaveable things similar to top ramen like bowl of noodles and stuff. 

Comment by Myjazzy on November 17, 2018 at 10:45am

Idea on care packages what to include.   My son wants food but says they have not way to use silverware or plates.  Ideas what to send.  I was thinking fruit snacks, oatmeal bars and other items that are pre packaged. He wanted top rammen but no idea how to cook it.  Can you just order off Amazon and have it shipped directly to them? 

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