Care Package Ideas!

Good point 8)

Has anyone sent the premade tuna and crackers? How did that do?

That sounds like a nasty case of food poisoning waiting to happen.

The ones I buy are pre-mixed, you just scoop with a tiny plastic spoon. Should be ok if sending to a ship vs Afghanistan? I know that those stationed in Afgh are asking for the packets of just tuna to be sent over.

That does make more sense. Maybe I'll try that. I think I've seen those at Costco.

The Dollar Tree has them too!

I just have to share this with you guys..........I think you'll get a laugh. My rescue swimmer's birthday was July 17th. The week of I sent a present each day. That Friday, a cake arrived for him. Now, I had to send this particular cake which is his favorite......white cake with white buttercream icing from our local grocery store. I talked to our UPS people and they said, oh sure, we'll pack it for you. Dry ice. Put fragile all over the box. Also write "This end up." I told my son when his package arrived, he HAD to take a pic of it as it arrived. This is his pic below (guy with the wide open mouth is my son's buddy).

Bet that was the best tasting cake ever! I bet they all had a good laugh at the look but the taste was heaven!!

Years ago, when my BF (now husband ) was in BC I sent him homemade chocolate chip cookies. I packed them in marshmallows so the wouldn't get smooshed. After the guys finished the cookies, they ate the packing material 8)
I don't think condition is important, they are just thrilled to get something yummy.

I agree - the best advice comes from the source! Thanks for that Maussie :)

LOL! Yep, he said the taste was just as good as when he was home....said he turned it upside down, took the bottom off and ate it out of the lid. Now, I also love this kinda of cake and I was saying right before we took it to UPS that I was going to cut off a corner piece for myself...... but decided against it. Of course, the way it arrived, he would've never noticed! LOL!

Susan, forgot to mention how much I loved that photo!!!
That will be interesting Carla. You all have such great ideas! I've been shaking individually wrapped peppermints into my boxes to fill the tiny spaces, you can buy big bags of them.

Denise, that's the best news, so happy for you!!!

Hooray! That is fantastic!

Here's something we can all do right now to support our troops:
Molly's Adopt A Sailor project is up to #4 in the Pepsi Refresh Challenge!! If you could text 100521 to 73774 (Pepsi Refresh) each day till the end of the month, you'll be helping to get grant money for postage to send moms' care packages to our deployed Sailors and Marines.
WE are 237 members strong here, let's pitch in and vote!
N4M group: http://www.navyformoms.com/group/mollysadoptasailorproject
Website: http://www.mollysadoptasailor.com

superfeet...Here is the website http://www.superfeet.com/

Grab some fall leaves and send them in a zip lock... that is the smell of fall in our house... raking up all the maple leaves! How about football themed movies and snacks... Turkey Jerky, dried cranberries (Craisans), candy corn, mixed nuts... send it in one of those cheapy cornucopia baskets from the craft stores and stick some plastic or silk colored leaves around it and write a note on a nice autumn looking picture postcard !
If you have younger kids - or access to some, you can do some Thanksgiving crafts. The old trace-you-hand and color turkey comes to mind, and a scented air freshner or pinecones

Susan, you are such a creative person, thanks for the inspiration! Off to find football-themed movies. Big Lots is having a sale, DVDs $2.50 each.

I have the post office pick up at my office... easier than trying to catch me at home! Just be sure to fill out your customs forms on line if you are paying for postage and arranging a pick up!

Gosh... you are making me blush!! I am not that creative... just silly!!

dolly, where can I see this picture? We always use the flat rate boxes and pack them about as full as they can be. But, I do wonder what they look like when they arrive.

Yes I do! I will consider that when I ship next time. We usually fill in all the open spaces with candy. Preferred over packing peanuts. 8))
Just sent one out yesterday. I'm going to have her take a picture of the box before she opens it.

Sometimes the flat rate boxes are on full pallets... then they arrive in really good shape! The odd shaped boxes have to go in mail bags and individually... part of the shipping 'game' is where your package is going??? to a ship or to the sand...

If you ever wonder how much a package means to someone who is deployed this picture says it all...

This was a package sent by the Molly's adopt a Sailor group. This kid did not know what was in the box or who it was from... he was just so happy to receive a box!! Makes me want to go shopping to fill a few more boxes for the adopted sailors this month!!

Susan, fantastic photos. I'm feeling that dollar store fever too, and maybe another video soon! ;) I used the young man kissing his care package in the last one. Whenever you have time, could you email me what you have? "You've got mail" takes on a whole new meaning!

will do Marcy!!

Da Bush!, how do you celebrate Ground Hog Day?

I send my daughter (stationed on a ship) beef jerky and she says because of the closed ventilation, system as soon as she opens it she has people lined up to help her eat it. LOL

I found a great deal at Tillamook on jerky.
http://www.tcsjerky.com/
Only $2.99 per 3.5oz bag and free shipping. I ordered a boatload and send about a third to my son today. I know he'll have to share, so I always send lots of extra.

That's not bad. I usually get it at Costco where it's 10.99 for two 8 oz bags.

Just called the sales rep at the Tillamook Country Smoker website and she verified that they will drop ship to an FPO AP address. This way you can have the jerky shipped directly and no extra freight charges.

I love shopping at the Oberto outlet... they have the best deals ever! Usually half the price... but shorter 'code' dates... not that I worry about that as it is gone as soon as they receive it!!

My dad lives in Everett, WA and said they have the Oberto outlets up there. We don't have any down here in NorCal.

It's getting to be time to think about holiday mailings! The Naval Supply Systems Command's (NAVSUP) Postal Policy Division mail-by dates for pre-Dec. 25 delivery of holiday cards, letters and packages are here ~NAVSUP pre-12:25:10 delivery mail-by dates.pdf

I came up with a good idea of something to send my brother-in-law and wanted to share. His birthday is coming up so I made him a video of pictures, greetings and such to help him celebrate. I just collected the videos and put them into one. I thought it was a great idea to help us be with him on his birthday.

Hello everyone. I just saw the video clip on the USS Abraham Lincoln's FB page, showing all the items that the sailors have available on the ship. This should help some of you who have loved ones on ships, letting you know what to send.

Birdie - that was an eye-opener, I loved seeing that! http://www.facebook.com/USSLincoln?ref=ts I'm going to look at other videos they posted, too just for fun.
Walk, great idea, a lot of effort but to be treasured forever! Susan (mom to NIko) had a great idea that was used in Molly's Adopt a Sailor videos: she gave a white dry-erase board and colored pens to folks and they wrote messages of support to our troops. For those not able to do video, a slideshow of photos with happy birthday messages would be cool, too! Here's my MAS video http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=azmediapros You can get the board & pens at Walmart.

Marcy, if you're going to check out the Lincoln's videos, be sure to watch both episodes of The Boat Show. Very funny!

Carla, buying jerkey is way cheaper for me than trying to make it myself. I work full-time and have too many projects going on. There would need to be another 32 hours in the day for me to add making my own jerky on the list of thins to do.

Birdie, I'm hooked! Not only are they sooo funny, the production values are impressively professional. Oh, and the chandelier, and remote-control rack...love it! Not to mention that you get a great sense of shipboard life. I've shared this with other N4M friends. Thanks!

The Chandelier!!! I love that one! I watch them over and over and just crack up. Makes me feel closer to my son. :)
Can't wait for the next episode.

You know Marcy, we should have a "Chandelier for the Soldiers" Christmas project. Can you imagine their faces when they open that up?????

I actually got mine at the Tillamook Country Smoker.
http://www.tcsjerky.com/

Wish the chandeliers could light up! LOL. Thst was so cute (it's in the USS Abraham Lincoln show)

Saw this on the US Navy's FB page yesterday and it's worth scrolling through all the responses (168 and counting). Both informative and funny! One sailor received a box, 18"x18"x24" that was one solid Rice Crispy Treat :)
"U.S. Navy As we approach Halloween this weekend, our Question of the Week: What is the best treat you've received/sent in a care package? (Bonus: If you share a Navy trick. Mail buoy anyone?)"
http://www.facebook.com/USNavy/posts/156777784357310

A giant rice krispy treat! That is priceless.I was wondering about sending those. I make mine with butter. Might that go rancid? Should I use margarine instead? Shipping time has been about 10 - 18 days.
I also thought about sending a loaf of Wonder bread, a jar of Jif and jelly. But, I'm pretty sure the bread would mold. Any thoughts....?

What's interesting is that the sailors tell about their favorite care packages they ever received, so it's not about "Halloween treats." I just picked that one 'cause it's so funny ;)
I never cared for RCTs myself so can't help you. Where are you sending, to a ship or oversesas/the sandbox? How about sending Jif and jelly plus a box of Ritz crackers instead? (and a few plastic knives!)