Care Package Ideas!

Joanie, you can absolutely wrap your gifts!  Your priority box won't be opened, but you will list the contents on the customs form.  Be sure to mail plenty early.  Here is a link to the USPS for mailing deadlines to FPO addresses for packages to arrive by December 25 (click the link then scroll down) - FPO/APO shipping dates 2012

I'm taking part in the Navy For Mom's Holiday Project for the second year.  They warn us not to send chocolate because it melts.  It violates my most cherished beliefs to send a package with no chocolate!  Will M&Ms melt?  I know you guys will know!

I think the biggest concern is during the hot weather months.  Now though I'd send the M&M's!  i have a friend whose son is on a destroyer, he loves his chocolate from his mom and if his chocolate bars are melted he just squeezes the chocolate out and is a happy guy :)

The problem is I don't know what hemisphere they're in.  I don't if they're in summer or winter!  I think I'll do M&Ms and put them in an extra ziplock bag.  That should limit the potential for disaster. 

I'm sure this has been answered already...I just can't find it...if we send Christmas/Birthday presents, can we go ahead and wrap them in wrapping paper before placing in the care packages?

Yes, you can wrap presents.

2sonmom: Thanks

laffy taffy now comes in chocolate and I dont think that would melt so easy as that taffy is always kind of hard. or maybe a lil dry ice will help choc. from melting so quickly. Just ideas. 

Hi Julie!

Here's a good reference page on the U.S. Postal Service website that includes a link to a list of hazardous materials not permitted, and it unfortunately includes dry ice - "Can You Mail It?" from USPS.com   It also says, "Don't send alcohol.  And, in most cases, don't send prescription drugs, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, or handguns."  Details are at that link.

Hello all!  Would someone please give me a recommendation for some good socks for work boots? Our sailor is deployed and I know he'd appreciate some new socks. Thank you!

Congratulations, grandma Carla!! Thank you for the covert threads info. I will check out that site.

Our son is on the Eisenhower, deployed.  He has been there maybe a week, not sure because we haven't heard from him yet.  We want to send him a package but not sure it will reach him if we don't have a more specific address than just the IKE one on the website.  Getting nervous with Christmas just around the corner and this will be my 18 year old's first time away for the holidays.  Any suggestions for this newbie Navy Mom?

@ AF Wife/Navy Mom...My son is on the IKE also.  Here is the address I use:  USS Dwight D Eisenhower CVN 69, FPO AE 09532-2830.  I see where we have to have any packages in the mail by 12/4 to ensure that they are there before Christmas.  I just spoke to my son this afternoon and he said they hope to be in port over Christmas!  That is always a treat for them!  This is Josh's first time away also.  It will be kind of a sad day for us.  We miss him so!

Hello my son is in Afghanistan and needs help with care packages. Who or where do I sign him up? Any help would be appreciated.

A reminder from the Armed Forces Network ~ HURRY UP! You better mail your presents!

The 2012 Christmas mailing deadlines for mail coming to and from the U.S. are listed below.

Space Available Mail: Nov. 26

Hi joshuasmom!

What kind of "help?"  Can I do something?

~~~gabrielsmomma

Oh yea...  joshuasmom --- Blue Star Moms & Home Front Moms...great organizations to become involved with to support our sons & daughters...our heroes...

~~~gabrielsmomma

My son is on the USS Green Bay....do I need to fill out customs papers to mail him a care package?

Green Bay mom,

all apo and fpo addresses need a customs paper

How do you go about getting a customs paper for an apo or fpo package? Post office? 

MommaG

you can either go to the post office or online

https://cns.usps.com/go/ShippingInformationAction_input

Momma G/Green Bay mom...

Yep...you can obtain customs papers from the Post Office.  I keep extra on hand so that I can fill them out at home.  I have found the Post Office to be very helpful with this.  I believe APO/FPO pkgs are also discounted & don't forget the flat rate boxes!  Good luck!  :p

I know, seems confusing b/c our FPO addresses don't fit the standard boxes., but it's ok - you can put it on any line below the name. Here's a sample ~

Here's more info about getting the USPS large-size FPO/APO boxes, rates, etc:  http://www.navyformoms.com/group/carepackageideas/forum/topics/usps...

Kym proud mom   thank you so much...that explains it!

Just a note, tomorrow, Dec 10, is the last day for getting priority-mail care packages in the mail  in time for the holidays per the USPS :) http://www.navyformoms.com/group/carepackageideas/forum/topics/fpo-...

Hey everyone!!  Happy 2013!!  I have put together some really great little Deployment Survival Kits.  My son called it a "bag of awesome" when he got his and it put a hugh smile on his face.  I would be happy to ship these directly to your Sailer with a personalized not care from you.  Our Sailers constantly need happiness boosts when they are deployed and this is just something a little different you can add to you your care packages too! 

Deployment Survival Kits

I GOT TWO LETTERS from my SR!!! He said the first day at BC was brutal. they got in at 10 pm (not accounting for the two hour time change)  and stayed up until 8. (morning or night? not sure) He said he is an RCPA :religious chaplin. He sounded good, talked about making their racks in certain amount of time and he has to put it back together making a smiley face( ??). they only get to read and write letters on sunday, so i wonder if spreading out the letters may not matter. He asked for pictures... (already sent them) They had a Christmas dinner and a bag of candy - he thought it was chocolate covered  almonds but it was actually chocolate covered everything... raisins, milk duds, whoppers. He HIGHLY recommends them. :O) He said he doesnt need bandaids. Its pretty tough to study there as he has a certain way that works better for him. 

Next email you get, click the link under "To stop following this group, go to:" - that should do it!

Welcome new members!  Love hearing about letters from bootcamp, Sailsetter - there is NOTHING like getting those letters!!  Funny about the chocolate :)  You can't send care packages to BC as you know, but absolutely send all your letters whenever for those Sunday "reads."

I learned how to send care packages (boxes, customs forms, etc) when I joined this group http://www.navyformoms.com/group/mollysadoptasailorproject - but there's plenty of info and a lot of experts here in this group, too :)  

For anyone interested, this month's Molly adoptee is the crew of USS Gonzalez  http://www.navyformoms.com/group/mollysadoptasailorproject/forum/to...  Lotta fun!  

My SR made me promise there would be no packages sent to BC, only letters!!

sailsetter....Packages are not allowed in BC   but YES write everyday!!  Mail is like gold to them!

Remember only send plain white envelopes - NO musical cards or colored envelopes to BC

TexasDocMom just turned me on to this link with single-serve, microwaveable treats in a mug - don't know if or how they'd ship, but they surely look good!  :)

http://lacreativitedelafille.blogspot.com/search/label/single%20ser...

For those who mail to FPO addresses, here's some new info:  

Packages to A school...USPS or UPS?

USPS...When Sailors live on base or a ship NEVER send anything UPS, FEDX or overnight.....it will only be delivered to the main gate  and then to the Military  Post office then later to be delivered to your sailor.   Priority flat rate Mail boxes from the PO is the best cram as much stuff into them for one low price.  you can get insurance but again the Once it is delivered to the gate that is all the insurance will cover to.

Thank you Angie!!!!

your welcome! 

I expected the flat rate box to be bigger than it was. I got pretty much everything off in 2 boxes though; not bad. They should be delivered by Thursday. Thanks agaun for your help Angie.

I have used a space-saver vacuum bag to send towels and sheets :)  Don't forget to take things out of their original packaging to save space!  Ziplock bags are great for tucking things into.

Sherri-TJs Mom What do ya put in your deployment survival bags? I'm looking for new ideas!

I have a question I hope someone can guide me as i dont want to do anything wrong..lol I want to start getting my duck in a row to do some care packages for the boys when they move on to A-school. Of course I will send to my son but I would also like to send to a few of the boys who dont get stuff:( Can I just do this on my own or do I have to follow some sort of procedure to collect items, I will also have to get donations for money for postage...am I allowed to do that?

One important thing to consider about sending anything to A school is that whatever they accumulate, has to be carried in their seabag a to their first duty station or shipped home.  In the' Hospital Corps A school' N4M group, we don't recommend sending more than a box or two - they have to stand and wait in long lines to pick up mail, and they tell their moms it's not worth it, they'd rather be resting and studying in their 'off' time.  I wouldn't worry about them too much; they're busy studying and doing stuff with their shipmates :)

Can someone let me know what "list" of items a sailor can have that is deployed in a care package?  I have tried to get a list but have not seen or heard from anyone that I know who could help. He just left, but we want to send a package at least once a week, so if he has more coming, he can share it with others. I just want to make sure that we don't send something that may get him or us in trouble.  Any help is welcome.

Mama Spence, my son has been deployed on an LHD so I can relate :)  He would ask for an assortment of protein/meal replacement bars, especially these PB&J protein bars; and homemade brownies and cookies to share.

During the USS Iwo Jima's last deployment, Molly's Adopt a Sailor adopted the junior enlisted in August, and the wish list from them included toothpaste, lotion, hand sanitizer, Purex 3-in1 laundry soap (great stuff, easy to use), dark blue T shirts compatible with NWUs, black over-the-calf tube socks, and black shoe polish - these are things the ship store runs short of.  

They have access to microwaves, so popcorn is good to send, as well as chips like Pringles in tubes.  Playing cards and card games like Phase 10 were asked for.  The USPS has this list of what's prohibited, including aerosols, alcohol, perfume, lithium batteries.  

Ziplock bags are definitely the way to go!  Don't pack things like soap with food, the scent will permeate the food.  Take things out of the original packaging to make room for more stuff.  Have fun!!!