Care Package Ideas!

This was the list of requests from him:

"**Copenhagen Snuff (it's like gold downrange)
DVD movies/TV Series
Battery powered electric travel razors
Mr. Coffee type coffee makers (their vehicles have AC power)
Hot water heaters (electric)
Ramen Noodles
**Redbull (more gold)
Nuts (pistachios/peanuts/sunflower seeds)
Single serving Propel drink mixes
Magazines
**Cigarettes (Marlboros and Camels)
Vacuum sealed tuna packets
Hot chocolate mix/Tea bags/ instant coffee packets (Coffee Singles- teabag
type)
Baby wipes
Beef Jerky/Summer Sausages

and of course....cards, letters and prayers........."

um - a Magnum?  Sorry ;)

MT I was thinking the same thing, could be embarrassing. I haven't heard the tampon story on my corpsman mom groups..  Chief88, let us know what you figure out!  

It's incredible.

Molly's group has this great photo of gals rejoicing over receiving a shipment of 'normal' feminine hygiene projucts - apparently the military's versions isn't too nice so gals appreciate them for their original purpose, too ;)  

Joanne, did you itemize things in detail on the customs form? Not saying one shouldn't, but when sending costly stuff it may be good to generalize a bit.

I just looked at sendcare.com, seems rather pricey vs DIY.  

Thanks Carla for the climate reminder! One of my groups has been discussing sending to "the sandbox," remember to include Q-tips & baby wipes for sand/dust.  I have three corpsmen to put boxes together for this weekend, yay Dollar Tree & Walmart, here I come!

Carla,

i started a discussion on "shopping links"  i've put some things in there including a link to fill in and print online custom forms

Thank you both very much.  This first package doesn't have much in it of any value.  He said he didn't need anything but an international converter for future port visits.  He didn't have one on this last port visit and he had some sort of "key duty" at the hotel, so he was on Skype most of the day and used up his battery.  Luckly someone had on he could borrow.  Other than that, he just asked for food.  I am sure that will change further along into deployment.  He's been gone for 1 month.  I am sure after this first one, we will be good to go from there.  Thanks again.  Take care.

You don't need to fit the "TO" information into the normal boxes (street/city/state/zip), as it obviously doesn't fit the categories except for the "Last Name/First Name" part.  

I generalize about items as you can see.  

Check "Gift" and "Airmail" at the bottom left.  To the bottom right, under "If non-deliverable," I check "Deliver to chaplain," figuring they'll do their best to get it to the right person, or at least disperse the contents to someone in need.  Of course, that wouldn't be the case if I was mailing a computer - then it would be "return to sender."  

You will get a receipt and a copy of the customs form.  Just press hard on your pen, it has to go through several copies!

Enjoy putting your boxes together for your son!

here's a link to for the post office to fill out an online customs form.

http://webapps.usps.com/customsforms/cp72sender_recipient_APO.jsp

I wonder about getting the bottom lid back on - guess I just have to try it and see how it goes :)

marcy

i want you to know how great i think this site is.  i'm on a carrier site and i've started a discussion called "useful links."  it's where we can post links we thing would be useful to each other and i have found a great resource on this site.

i would like to pass on a link to purchase individual condiment and other great things.  i ordered some propel, texas pete and mrs. dash for my daughter.  there was a slight problem and they handled it on the spot.  and their prices are great.

http://www.minimus.biz/

thanks!

carol

Carol, OH MY GOSH!!!  I love this website!  I send packages to many different troops in Afghanistan.  A problem they are having is keeping our young men and women hydrated because it's soooo hot.....some are actually getting sick.  They need electrolytes and this website is perfect.  Thank you!

FYI - these spammers have been on some other groups as well.  One person commented that it might not be malicous at all, but a virus or an email acct that was hacked and spread - this could be very true!  Hopefully not intentional, as we all love our N4M site!  :-)  It's good to know we can report to our admins. and get it taken care of though!

Cheif88 - Thanks for bringing up jerky - I'd forgotten about that, and he loves it! :-)

Thanks ladies for the fruit advice  : )

I double ziplocked them!!!

I sent my son the squeezable fruit in previous packages and didn't put in ziploc, didn't even think about it leaking out. Haven't heard anything from him about it yet. 

Oh, the things I have to learn. Crossing my fingers!!!