Care Package Ideas!

Happy Father's Day to any dads who belong to this group!

Hi moms, I'm wondering what treats do you MAKE and send to your sailor, are you sending to a ship or shore and what are some of the favorites?  Thanks!!

Wow, what an array!! I'll bet they loved every bite. Like the slice-of-bread tip :)  I send oatmeal cookies in Tupperware-type containers and they seem to do fine, too.

Good thinking!! Keep those tootsies funk-free :)

marine navy mom....when you say you include bread, is it just one slice in each vacuum seal bag?  My son wants me to send BBQ brand that is only in Oklahoma to him on the ship.  The BBQ is in a glass bottle so not sure how to ship...any suggestions?

when i sent my daughter stuff on the ship that was "breakable" i would double bag anything in glass as well as anything that might melt (chapstick was always wanted and always double bagged).  for things like chips and crackers i would buy plastic containers (rubbermaid, glad or ziplock) and put the chips in there. depending on the size of the containers and bags of chips i would open them and pour them in.  got there fresh, intack and the containers are reusable for personal items.

Wow, that's a great theme and package, very cool!  Lucky to have you :)

How about some thank-you notes to sailors from friends or co-workers thanking them for being there for us?  They don't have to be addressed to your sailor.  They love knowing that they're being thought of back home.

They say ginger is good for seasickness too, like ginger tea - and the Pepto is good for that and all kinds of stuff that ails 'em :)

Thanks all great ideas I will try.  My son wanted Freebrez spray...guessing it gets kind of stale smelling below ship.

Christy - be sure it's in a ziplock bag, and the pump, nor aerosol.  

Calliecl, aerosols are a no-no with the USPS.  Hopefully they get there ok!  Here's the hazardous materials info from their website:

Many household items can’t go in the mail.
Hazardous materials come in a wide variety of forms and can be chemical, biological, radioactive, or a combination.

The Postal Service's™ definition of a hazardous material includes many common household and consumer products. They may not be dangerous on your shelf at home, but they can become a hazard when shaken or when the temperature or pressure changes.

Some common hazardous materials include…

• Perfumes
• Nail polish
• Flea collars or flea sprays
• Aerosols
• Bleach
• Pool chemicals
• Paints
• Matches
• Batteries
• Fuels or gasoline
• Airbags
• Dry ice
• Mercury thermometers
• Cleaning supplies
• Items previously containing fuel
• Glues
• Fireworks

Not sure if what you’re sending is hazardous or prohibited?  Just call 1-800-ASK-USPS or your local Post Office.

Who is mailing an airbag as a household item, I wonder.... :)

My son just arrived in A school in Florida!!   I need care package Ideas.  Any Suggestions?

I would like a link to the "curtain" that was mentioned here a while ago for the bunks. When my sailor first left; he wasn't interested. After a year out; I guess it now sounds like a good idea.

thanks

Good afternoon all this is a group full of wonderful ideas so glad I join my son is on the USS George Washington and I know he will love all of these ideas.

Found the gillette shaving gel (and you are right --it is expensive!)  I am going to try my local dollar store and see if they have any.  I did just buy him the 21 Jump Street DVD.  Since his iPhone broke and he can't listen to his music, he bought himself a portable dvd player to keep himself entertained.  Since we can't send anything with lithium batteries, he will have to wait till he returns to replace the iPhone.

@ Calliecl you can also find some good $5 movies at Walmart. I have started a new box and every time I go I look to see what I can find. I don't know where your son is mine is in Japan so they really don't care what it is they just want something to watch lOl

i sent my husband 21 jump street also. he already added a bunch of movies to his laptop before he left thought, so im not sure if he's watched it yet.

one thing i sent my husband for july 4th (its our marriage anniversary) was a card from walgreens.. you can make your own cards with pictures on it. my husband loved it. it even lets you type your own message also :)

my son is in the persian gulf.  i was also thinking of getting some tv series dvd's. i know he misses watching some of his favorites tv series.  i will check out walmart.  Hopefully I can find some of his old favorite movies too.  has anyone sent sheets?  my son said he had to buy some.  not sure if it was because he didn't like what was offered or perhaps he wasn't washing them enough. ha.  but not sure what they use?  Are they just regular twin sheets?

Thanks for the info!!!

Sandra AM mom - how was the tiger cruise?  My husband is planning on doing the tiger cruise from Hawaii to San Diego.  I think he wishes it wasn't so long.   supposed to be a week? I know my son is really looking forward to having his dad with him, so he is planning on going.

So far anyone that has been on a tiger cruise seems to feel it is a wonderful experience.  i am glad my husband decided to go.  i think he (and my son) will have a great time.

Still no word from my son.... No email, no FaceBook. Nothing... I post messages to his facebook everyday with little positive quotes and updates. Maybe someday I'll get an update.

On another note my 2Moms~1Mission, Operation Help a Hero is off and running here in NH. I'm so excited. Can't wait to see how many care packages we fill and get to the ship for our Sailors!

darlene,

depending on the ship he is on he won't have access to facebook.  if you haven't heard anything for a few days it could be that they are in river city and aren't allowed to send any email

Anyone out there with ideas for a care package, would be greatly appreciated.

Daltonsmom and monmmelt...check out the discussions above  there are lots of ideas there...also in the corner of the discussuin Forum above is "VIEW ALL" in the right lower corner...that will bring you to the page with all the ideas...hope that helps get you started!  =]

Here is some info that I got from a friend on another group and thought it could be helpful to many of you here.

As of May 16, 2012, the U.S. Postal Service banned the shipment of electronics that include lithium batteries to international destinations and/or military (APO, FPO, DPO) addresses. Lithium batteries are included in many popular electronic devices such as iPads, Kindles, smartphones, cameras and other electronic devices. The ban went into effect because lithium batteries can explode or catch fire in certain conditions during overseas transport. For more information, visit the USPS Lithium Battery Ban at the USPS Postal Explorer information page.

DaltonsMom (& anyone else missing their sailor & going nuts!) a really fun group on N4M is Molly's Adopt a Sailor project.  Every month the group is a "virtual party" when a unit or ship is adopted, there's a theme, and everyone mails at the same time.  it's so worthwhile, you know you're making a difference to our sailors' lives, and have so much fun.  Some moms organize "packing parties" in their areas, too  It's a lot of fun and great way to meet and chat with other moms.  The link is http://www.navyformoms.com/group/mollysadoptasailorproject, Pat in IL will send you a welcome, and she and everyone there will answer any and all questions to help you get started :)

Can anyone comment on how much they can keep when at OCS Newport? They are only on week 3 but I am already planning on a care package or 2. He desperately wants chocolate but I will just pack some for graduation. Wilbur Chocolates, here in Lancaster County, PA, makes Wilbur buds and they can't be found in RI!

I usethe large  flat rate box too!...I can get a lot of things in it!

Immy...sorry I have no idea when it comes to OCS

From the west coast, regular Priority Mail boxes are often cheaper to send than the flat rate boxes (depending on how heavy - less than 10 lbs for me). I'm with chriscwick, though, I just use whatever fits!!

Carol, aren't priority boxes and flat-rate boxes the same thing?  I usually send the large box - good up to 70 lbs -and have even used a small size, vacuum-out-the-air Spacesaver bag to cram in towels and sheets! :)

Marcy - the regular Priority Mail boxes are not Flat Rate - so postage depends on how far it's going and the weight of the box. They are available at the post office too.  My sailor is in Japan, but his FPO zip code is in Calif. So it works out to be cheaper to use a regular box unless I'm sending heavy items. I guess if you're sending things across the country, Flat Rate is probably the way to go. Spacesaver bags are a great idea!!

Hm, I'm confused then!  This is what I send, and they call them Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes.... 

There are just some Priority Mail boxes that aren't the 'flat rate' ones. I'm sure you're sending the best ones - the post office worker just told me that for such a short distance (Japan-lol) the regular ones were cheaper.

Now I am curious to know what you put in the box to get up to 70 lbs!! Must have been some awesome Christmas presents :)

The care package I put together for my Sailor! I mainly wanted to show the decorating I did.  He doesn't know it's coming or especially that I decorated, so I hope he likes it.  He was complaining that he didn't have a picture of us together, so I made sure I printed one for him.  Then he wanted a couple more picture of me for his rack.  I promise I'm not narcissistic and just putting pictures of myself everywhere haha.  Those stickers I got at Wal Mart and I was so excited.  They say like "I <3 my Soldier" and "My Hero" and stuff on them.  Super cute. Also, every item has a little message about the item and why it's included.   That was fun.  I can't wait to do it again!!

Ashley...looks great and you have some good stuff in it!  I would encourage you anything liquid put in a ziploc bag incase they leak!!  I know your sailor will love it when he opens it!