Care Package Ideas!

Anne,

Is your son on a ship? If so you can try contacting the ombudsman, they are super helpful.

Yes, he's on the Truman. I will definitely contact them! Great idea. I didnt even think of that. Thank you. :)

Welcome new members!  Thinking that it would be great to see some pictures of care packages being sent nowadays, cool ideas you come across on Pinterest, whatever!   

MaeJay,
That's a great idea for a care package!

My favorite is filing prune canisters.  I save them including the inner seal.  Then fill them with drink mixes, energy bars, puzzles, candy, gum, command strip hook etc. Then hot glue the inner seal back on.  9 fit perfectly in the large flat rate box.  Then my son has fun sharing them, makes for a laugh for them all.   So each time he gets relocated I get a new bunch to share this with.   I love creating surprises.  Recently sent a snow box, as my son loves snow.  Now working on all things green.

Thanks, Imnadelady!  Do you mean the 7 oz Sunsweet plastic canisters filled with wrapped prunes? What a great idea - you sound like a very creative person...

I was just on the USPS site to order some of the boxes and it said they are currently not available. I'm assuming we can still get them at our local post office?  Thanks!

anniebananie55  No it is an 18oz container.  Our local (Wegmans) sells raisins in the same size container, but not as much fun as receiving prunes.  LOL!

Love it...time to start buying and eating prunes! Thanks!

Thanks for the great image of prune canisters in a box, love it!  Anniebananie55, you can use the regular (large 12"x12"x6") priority mail flat rate box at the post office and still get the APO/FPO discount.  

thanks, Marcy. I will work with our local post office on this.

Ok ladies,  I need to ship a birthday box oversea.  Looking for birthday cake ideas.  

WELCOME new members!  Great ideas and inspirations are to be found in the Discussion Forum above and from other memers here.  Inmadelady, I'm sure you came up with a great birthday box.  Brownies have always been my go-to.  Everyone loves chocolate, and they can be shared!  

how long does it take to get the care package it has been almost i month since i sent it to sea 

The short answer, unfortunately, is "It depends," on such variables as where they are, what they're doing, and the UNREP schedule.  It can be as long as six weeks or so.  

This is a video of an underway replenishment (UNREP) that includes connected replenishment (CONREP) and vertical replenishment via helo (VERTREP).  The whole process is amazing and fraught with all sorts of danger.  Bravo Zulu to all the sailors who pull it off, all over the world, every day.  The ships in the video are USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and USNS Wally Schirra.

For me it's been 3-6 wks but I know for some it's taken 2 mo or longer...or never as sometimes they get lost

Yvonne just posted what she does for birthday care packages in the Norfolk group.  She and her husband host sailors at their home for home-away-from-home game nights, holiday dinners etc.  I love this!

"Whenever one of the sailors who come over to our house on the weekends deploys, this is what I have done in the past. For their birthday, instead of sending a cake or brownies, etc., I have made peanut brittle in the microwave and put it in a round cake pan.  I put a straw in the middle and it hardens that way.  I pack that, a candle, balloons they can blow up, little games from the dollar store like a mini pool table or other mini games, movie candies, sometimes a Little Rascal movie or other funny movie, a match or two to light the candle, etc.  You can add little plates or napkins too if you like. It may sound silly, but all of them have really liked their birthday care package.  Chewing gum is a great thing too. 

Anyway, that's my two cents worth! :)

Yvonne"

Wow! I did not realize there is a 2.00  discount when sending to APO/FPO.  I'll say something with the next ones I send.

Yvonne

Welcome IslandGal!  Happy to see you here and hope you'll share ideas too.  There are some fun ideas with themes in the Discussions above to give you some inspiration, for starters  :)  What are you thinking of doing to make a New Year's box?

Always looking for new care package ideas!

Just joined this group, looking for ideas/tips on sending care packages overseas

Can never have too many ideas!

Here for care package ideas!!

Care Package Moms - Navyformoms.com is being updated and upgraded by the agency that oversees it, and part of this effort is making room for new members.  To do so, members who have not been active since 12/1/15 will be removed but will be able to re-join.  If you haven't posted since that date, please do so right away.  This is all part of an effort to make Navyformoms.com the best it can be for everyone, seasoned moms and new members alike.  Watch for good things to happen, browse the Discussions above for some great inspiration, and PLEASE tell us what you're sending, take pics of your awesome boxes before you mail and post them here!

Would like to remain a member of this group.  My thanks and happy holidays to all!

I would like to remain a member of this group. this is my first holiday season away from my son, need all the ideas I can get for christmas and birthday ideas!! :-) 

I am looking forward to reading your great ideas for care packages! thanks

Here for care package ideas!!

2 SIZES OF PRIORITY BOXS IF U GET SNACKS TAKE OUT OF BIG BOX N PUT IN ALOT MORE ROOM N IF ANY BREAKABLES GET BUBBLE WRAP FOR THEM I SENT FOUR TWO FOR DEPLOYMENT N  TWO WHILE AT BASE HE ALWASY ASK FOR JERKY SNACKS FLAVOR PACKETS FOR WATER STUFF IS HIGH ON SHIPS HOPE I HELP A LIL 

Hi everyone !! Just checking in !! I read all of the posts, but havent actually logged in for awhile. Hope everyone is doing well.

just found out about this group:)

I am still here, I read most of the posts

I am still here!

the customs form is smaller and less detailed than it was last deployment.  new form, same basic thing.   I had to list things and give money amounts for each, but I didn't put weights individually, and it was fine.  ps.  I lied about the things and put books, magazine, candy etc.  inexpensive things, never mention if you put something nice inside.  fyi, it may get stolen or lost.

I love the ideas you all post for care packages. Please keep the great ideas coming. Thank you for all you ladies do.

"Keep it simple" is a good idea when filling out the customs form.  Don't detail every item, just lump together in categories, i.e. "Snacks," "Personal hygiene items," that sort of thing, and estimate values - don't worry about getting it to the penny! 

Happy New Year!

WELCOME to all our new members!!!  Anybody planning their Valentine's care packages yet?  Got some good ideas?  Here are some suggestions from the Discussion Forum above... Care Package Theme Ideas

I have a very unique item that needs to be in every care package.  My poor son got white rice with almost every meal and this really helped add a little variety.  Any comfort from home means the world to our Sailors.  This gift set also includes a survival bag filled with little motivational saying and items as well as a spice refill.  Go take a look at Pugtail Originals

Good idea, Sherri!  Another way to to spice up their meals is to gather up and include single-serving packets of your Sailor's favorite condiments -I for one would appreciate Taco Bell hot sauce! lol  I've also poured hard candies into a care package box to fill in the air pockets to take advantage of every available space.  

This is pretty cool - you can order a PERSONALIZED mystery, classic, or romance book at Bookbyyou.com.  Try a free personalized demo using Phantom of the Opera at  http://www.bookbyyou.com/classic/phantom/demo.asp

Cost:  $19.95 for immediate ebook download; $29.95 for paperback; $49.95 for hardcover.  They have teen and kids books too  :)  

To Jessie, who sent a message about a group for moms of Sailors at Dam Neck - this is an active group that covers the bases in the area - Norfolk Sailors - Family and Friends.  My son was stationed in the area for four years, so I may be able to answer a question or two as well  :) 

I'm confused.  I've been told on another site, and by my son that I shouldn't send a package.  They are discouraging packages since mid February. 

Sjumom, every Sailor's situation is different at any given time - they may be at "A" or "C" School, in some training program, or at their duty station or deployed, for example - so it just depends.  If your son says No right now, that that's who you should listen to.  

I know that with corpsmen at their "A" School, they mostly prefer not to get care packages because it's a hassle to get them on their day off, and also once they graduate they have to figure out how to get whatever's been sent to them to their first duty station (crammed in a seabag or shipped).  Later is a different story.  So you just have to pay attention to your own Sailor's situation and see what they say.  

Since you can't send a care package at the moment, consider sending an e-gift card via email that can be used immediately.  That way, your Sailor can choose what he really needs right now!   http://www.giftcards.com/gcgf/send-electronic-visa-giftcards