Care Package Ideas!

Oh that's a good idea!  The only thing that may leak is the hand sanitizer I think!  I'll make sure I do that!

Last year I got involved in the Navy For Moms Holiday Project and sent 50 care packages to the USS Stennis.  The folks at the post office were very nice and very helpful about helping me to figure out the cheapest way to ship all that.  I made sure I wasn't there at the busiest time of the day and everyone was very generous with their time.  (By the way, it's on again for this year, for the Eisenhower!  Check out the group Holiday Projectif you're interested.  I had a blast last year, and as soon as Christmas was over started planning for this year!)

Calliecl, that's nuts!  I use those too and the price is set.  This is from the USPS.com website...How about going to the website page and printing it out, and taking it with you when you ship next time?  :)  

Link: https://store.usps.com/store/promo/campaignProducts.jsp?productId=P...

Here's what it says on that page:  

A quick, easy, and convenient way for you to ship Priority Mail packages to military personnel serving overseas. The Priority Mail APO/FPO Flat Rate Box features predetermined rates regardless of weight (domestically) or destination, similar to our other Flat Rate products.
Inside Dimensions: 12" x 12" x 5½"
Outside Dimensions: 12¼" x 12¼" x 6"
Some key benefits:

• Only $13.45 when used to send to APO/FPO addresses; $2.00 less than our domestic pricing.
• Box features the “America Supports You” logo and APO/FPO addressing block.
• Commercial Base prices are available for postage paid through Click-N-Ship service at usps.com, authorized PC Postage vendors, and other authorized postage payment methods. The APO/FPO price is $12.65.
• The U.S. Postal Service offers free Package Pickup from your home or office at a time and place convenient for you. To schedule Package Pickup and for other pickup options and availability, visit usps.com.

For more information, please visit: The Shipping Center

ps I didn't make the print larger, it just did that when I cut and pasted lol

Thats terrible that they don't even know how much to charge you. It was 10.45 about 1.5 to 2 yrs ago but then went up to 13.45. Our post office keeps running out of the military boxes and I said one time when I was their to pick up supplies that my mom won't ship in any other box because she is afraid of shipping errors and being charged wrong  and he said that when they enter the APO/FPO and check the box size the amount comes up as 13.45 so he said if I used a normal priority box that is related is size to the military one when they input the APO/FPO should be charged the same.

So I am wondering if the postal employee where you go is not clicking on the right size of box, which is lazy in my opinion. I am close to 4 post offices so I have a choice where I can go, if you have another I would go there but first go back if you have reciepts and get reimbursed for wron charges.

I am new my son just went on his first deployment nice to meet everyone! Paula

Hi! I'm new to the group. I just read the Advice paragraph above and I went to the post office website. Thank you for the info. on the free boxes shipped to my home. Are the custom slips all the same? I found Customs slip (2976) Thanks for your help.

Our son will be deploying next month. So international shipping is brand new to us. I appreciate everyone's advice.

i got tired of having to write everything on the customs forms so i put down an item for each line, i don't care what's in the box (even sent an iPod);

ramen noodles

chap stick

gum

hard candy

slim jims

Thanks about about Kroger tape :)  I started using Duck Tape's Easy Start clear tape; just looked at their website and don't see where it's made, hm.  

Just bought Purex UltraPacks at Walgreen's, buy one package of 18 (they're like little single-serving pouches of laundry soap) for $5.99 and get one free, not exactly cheap but they're handy.

If you're just itching to send a cool care package this month, head over here!  We've adopted the deployed junior enlisted on USS IWO JIMA who are midway through a long deployment, and there are plenty who aren't receiving mail or treats from home.  Mailing is the end of the month.  Join MAS or PM me for info.  Watch and meet our adoptees (and have the sound UP!)   :) 

USS Iwo Jima August 2012 from Marcy Scott on Vimeo.

There rally aren't any restrictions...however it imight  much cheaper to send  a couple of the USPS "flate rate" boxes rather than on large box especially if it is heavy....  you can stuff as much in them as you want. It is not fact but I think that the flat rate boxes make it "there" quicker and with less damage to the insides....  Also  to get as much as possible in the boxes I take everything out that are in boxes: like granola bars, slim jims, mac and cheese singel serve, stuff like that  you can get a lot more in a box also put anything liquid in zip lock bags.

Nancy,  send the box to my son with a not telling him to share with the gruop.  He tells me his IT radio group does that with every box that comes in.  Good group of sailors.

I have been sending a box every week thru this current deployment. I don't know if my son is sharing, or eating everything I send! This time I sent him some gummie vitamins and some of those plastic sleeves of ice cubes you use in coolers. I figured he could freeze them and put them on his neck or even on his pillow at night--since it is so hot out there!
He has told me to keep the boxes coming, and he will take whatever I send.
I thought you had to have a specific sailors name to address a box to.....
And definitely use the flat rate boxes--they are much cheaper to ship--$13.45 no matter how much it weighs!

When my sailor was state side I didn't fill out a customs form.

Seems logical to me that you'd always have to do a customs form when mailing to an FPO address, because the USPS can't know if the address is to a shore command, to sailor's ship to a port in the US, or deployed or at sea, right?  Will ask at the PO next visit!

Hey, just a note to new members that we have a fun group sending care packages every month at Molly's Adopt a Sailor here on N4M!  :) 

Can we send packages to A school and what kind of things do they need while they are there..My sons PIR is 10/12/12 and will be going to SWCC training in California. So I am trying to get some ideas of what they might need when he gets there..

I purchased the food saver vacuum sealed just so I could send my daughter her favorite cookies. She says everything is always fresh. My daughter told me that when she gets a package, the first thing everyone asks her is if there is any chocolate. So I started making chocolate bark. I use the small aluminum containers with the clear plastic lids. Line with parchment paper, add chocolate and various toppings, let set up, flip lid upside down and vacuum seal. So even if it melts all she has to do is let it set up again and then break apart. She tells me that her friends love it when she gets a package because I always send enough to share.

I usually keep several boxes made up at a time. Everytime I go to a store I find things to send and just come home and throw them in a box. When they are full, I organize them and ship them out. I try to send one or two packages a month esp when they are at sea. Usually one box with snacks and another with movies, personal care products and fun silly stuff to make my daughter laugh.

Hi Tonya,
Yes, I have. I just double ziploc'd & made sure the items had sufficient packing around them. It arrived just fine. The only other advice I've heard was to make sure these types of products don't go in a pkg mixed with food items so chocolate chip cookies don't taste like Bath & Body Works products. :) Good luck!

Getting a little help with this box....or maybe somebody wants to go see their sailor!!

Oh how cute "cat in a box" lol!!  my sailor is missed by our 2 dogs, just the mention of his name and they are searching the house.

Yes - stuck in the packing tape ;)  And I took a photo and composed a letter from the cat..."I wanted to come visit you but Mom won't let me...."

I love the picture and the letter from the cat.

I'm working on filling my first care package. Looking back through past entries, I saw someone list tuna fish. So, cans will travel well? What about glass jars? I know my son would enjoy salsa. I'll be wrapping things in baggies, but I would still like to avoid any breakage or containers exploding. If the heat melts chocolate, is microwave popcorn a problem? Thank you everyone for your help!!

I have sent microwave popcorn and he has received it just fine.  My son always asks for those single serve mac and cheese, ramen noodles and cereal also.

Thanks, Cindy! I'll pick up some microwave popcorn. Today when I was at Bed Bath & Beyond, I saw a ready made spaghetti sauce that comes in a bag. I had never seen that before. I asked if they had salsa but they don't. My goal is to get this out in the mail by the end of the week for his birthday in Nov. I have no idea how long it will take to get there. When does everyone mail the Christmas box?

2sonmom, if you're looking for ready made salsa...go to www.hnhbrands.com.  This company is veteran owned and your son/daughter can make some delicious salsa.  My son used to love it when he lived at home.  They sell the salsa seasoning, and all he has to add is tomato sauce and diced tomatoes to it.  We'd get the mild, as he didnt like it too hot. Its very easy to make, one scoop of their seasoning, to one can of diced tomatoes.  Just wanted to throw that out there! =0)

Thank you Proud Mom!

2sonmon - I send the tuna that comes in foil packages. That way he doesn't have to worry about a can opener. (I buy them at Target.) We've sent lots of different things, but he's requested more tuna! And no...there was no tuna in the box with the cat! lol

Everyone is so helpful! I appreciate everyone's advice. A can opener would be one more thing to store when space is valuable. The photo of your cat on the box was great, Carol!

Hi Isabellamom! A big thank you to you and everyone at your church involved in making care packages! I'm sure there are so many that would love a care package. I know there is a group called Molly's Adopt A Sailor on this site. I'm sure they could give you lots of info. That would be one source to check.

Hello ladies - 

I'm fairly new to this group. My son's PIR is 10/12 and he will be at GL for A school. What can I send him while he is in A school?

Thanks bunches =o)

Hi KelleeNick's mom,

This is what my son needed after his PIR but make sure you buy them on the cheep because sad to say when my son was at Great Lakes during A school in the "dorms" I don't know what to call it, he had his electric shaver and a few other costly things stolen. So I replaced the razor with a cheeper one (which worked just as good) 

I made him a basic travel like kit with

Alarm clock

shaving cream & razor

electric razor

New tooth brush and paste

Soap & shampoo (generic takes a toll)

His cell phone

IPod with ITunes card (his room mate had a computer to download music)

Extra ear phones because they are easy to loose (Big Lots have name brand for $5) Music was a huge thing for him, when working out jogging and down time.

Gift card to fast food places on the base were nice too. Can't remember what was on the base he will be on after PIR I think there was a Taco Bell, Subway I am not for sure on those so you might want to do a search on that.

A Navy Mom friend was telling me that the USO is on the base and they have volunteers that bring in home cooked meals, soda, big screen TV, video games, and her son said the best thing was when he found it because he would eat there and lay on the couches catch some TV and not only was if free but he said he felt a little bit like home there, that meant allot to her, now she volunteers at the USO at Navy Pier to give back.

Feel free to write me any time it has been 2 yrs now since my sons PIR and it has flown by.