Care Packages to Afghanistan

[walk6776]

This is an awesome group and I am getting a lot of ideas for things to include in care packages to my brother-in-law who is going to Afghanistan.  Does anyone have a good idea of the regular things soldiers in Afghanistan want?  I have heard soft toilet paper, baby wipes, candy.  Anyone want to provide some more suggestions?  Much appreciated.  This is my first time doing care packages, but we have promised one a week.

[Lisa]

Heres a list I put together for our sailors!! Hope this helps you out!



1. Individual packages of hot chocolate, cider, latte's, cappochino's, coffees.
2. Powdered drink mixes for water bottles, such as crystal light, kool aid, propel, and gatorade.
3. Beef jerky, summer sausage, slim jims
4. Crackers and cheese packages, crackers of any kind, chips, pretzels, chex mix, combos, gold fish, 100 calorie packets, nacho chips and cheese or salsa.
5. Candy of any kind, gum, jaw breakers, mints, jelly beans, licorice, hard candy, suckers.
6. Trial size or regular size bottles of shampoo, conditioner, deoderants, face wash, kleenex, Qtips, mouthwash, tooth paste, toothbrush, baby wipes.
7. Tylenol, advil, motrin, excedrin, cough drops, cough medicine, allergy medicine, vaseline, chap stick, neosporin, dental floss, bandaids.
8. pies and cakes in a JAR, refer to Discussion Forum above, and hit VIEW ALL.
9. Home made baked goods, probably best if vaccum sealed.
10. Laundry soap, fabric softener, dryer sheets, laundry boosters, Purex Complete 3 in 1 is wonderful.
11. Canned fruit and veggies that have the pop off lids.
12. Pudding cups, applesauce cups, jello cups, fruit cups.
13. Tuna and chicken salad kits (that come already made w/crackers)
14. Power bars, Protein bars
15. Cereal, (little individual boxes), milk that doesnt have to be refrigerated, cereal bars, fruit bars, granola bars, pop tarts, pop tart sticks, rice krispie bars, oatmeal packets. Muffins
16. Koozies (drink holders to keep them cold) Personal Fans, air fresheners.
17. DVD's, Music CD's, computer games, hand held games, batteries, dice games, dice, card games, decks of cards, newspapers, magazines, books, word search, suduko, and crossword puzzle books, small board games, yatzee, mancado, dominoes, uno, pictures, magnetic frames to put them in, black and blue pens, pencils and erasers and sharpeners.
18. Nuts, sunflower seeds, raisins, dried fruit, popcorn, trail mix
19. Restaurant packets such as: jellies, honey, sugar, creamers, salt and pepper, mustard, ketchup and mayo packets, sweet and low, and then from home, plastic silverware, napkins, plates, cups.
20. Tshirts according to what color they need for work, socks according to the color they need and boxers.

[Carla Street]

One of the moms on another site says she takes a picture to send her daughter of what was in the package so she can see if it's tampered with. Just a thought!

[Susan mom to Niko]

It all depends where they are... if they are on a base then the list below is great... if out on patrol then remember they have to carry what they get... they love a meal in a box also... I like to pack boxes with themes... maybe it is just more fun for me... but I get more responses from themed boxes... gives them something to 'talk about' when they say thank you or chat about with the other guys and gals when they open the package...

Pick a color... blue, green, red... then everything in the box is that color... gum, mints, yoyo, juggling balls, silly putty, balloons, etc

From the local zoo:
animal crackers, peanuts, peanut butter from the elephants, beef jerky from the lions, dried banana chips from the chimps, trail mix from the birds ,Hostess Snowballs from the polar bears, tuna from the seals, postcards, stuffed animals or plastic zoo animals

Fiesta theme:
Margarita drink mix, Pina colada mix, lemonade, Salsa, Torango Chips (in a triangular Pringles type can), cheese in a jar (found in chips isle), hot tamales candy, Fire Balls candy, Red, green, yellow balloons, Chili peppers (canned), Refried beans, taco or fajita seasoning, Tabasco Sauce, piñata (filled with candy),Taco Bell sauce packets

Lets Play Ball:
baseballs, peanuts, major league gum (Big Chew), sunflowers, baseball cards, baseball hat, shredded beef jerky (looks like snuff), sunglasses, popcorn, fake beer (near beer?), Cracker Jacks and a pennant from a hometown team, game day programs, stats on teams and players, sports magazine

Emeril of Afghanistan
all kinds of hot nuts and sauces and spices, Sun-dried tomatoes, dried shitake mushrooms olive oil, minced garlic (jar), balsamic vinegar, dry rub spices, marinades, specialty oils pesto, capers, anything from Emeril's food product line (esp BAM! essence), perhaps some grilling utensils (spatula, tongs, etc), Emeril recipes/cookbook (Every Day's A arty sounds like a fun one) napkins, coasters, etc from his restaurants in New Orleans, Las Vegas, or Orlando

Under the Sea:
anything with Sponge Bob? Fish shaped crackers, salt packets, Blue colored Kool Aid, shark gummies, Swedish fish, little game that has those fish going around and you have to fish for them? Goldfish game cards, At Oriental Trading Company you can buy those toy fish. Also a Go Fish game, Tuna, those Sea Monkeys you add water to and they grow. Maybe the crystals you add water too and they grow to resemble underwater coral growths, How about one of the medium sized Conk seashells so he could hear the ocean? Salt water taffy is always a hit too

You Stink:
soap, deodorant, socks, laundry soap tablets, air fresheners, Foot powder, Odor eaters, baby powder, Fabreeze, baby wipes, new undies, tee shirts, whoopee cushion

Big Cheese/Promotion Box:
Cheese curls, cheese balls, cheese flavored chips, cheese Doritos, cheese popcorn, cheese and crackers, cheese flavored crackers, tubs of cheese spread, cheesy instant mashed potatoes

Jamaica in a Box:
Jerk Seasoning for their MRE's, Bob Marley posters and CD's, sand bucket and shovel (They have all the sand they need there), travel magazines from Jamaica Some beach towels with board games like twister, checkers on them, sunglasses, tropical fruits (since you can't send fresh fruits, he thought either the canned ones or dried fruits) pictures of the Jamaican countryside we took, little tropical things like palm trees, fish, etc that you can get from Oriental Trading Company postcards from Jamaica, sunscreen one of those hats with dread locks attached, translation guide on how to speak Jamaican or Patois as it's called there, a Jamaican Flag with an explanation on what the colors mean

Sun Tea:
Get one of those plastic 2qt jugs with the handles and the push button spout.. fill the inside of the jug with tea bags, sugars and sweet and lows and see about finding a restaurant that carries those little packets of real lemon...or even include a few real lemons??? Include a spoon and some cups... or Celestial Seasonings 'summer tea' bags that you use with cold water....

Pool/Sand Party:
a cd with the 'beach boys' or any other group singing about...summer time fun... beach ball, squirt guns--water balloons--ummmm, Kool-Aid and those little paper umbrellas, several different types of "water bombs" that you soak in water and toss around, footballs, volleyballs, sand toys, those Velcro pads you wear on a hand & the balls that stick to them. bunch of beach towels, , chap stick, bottles of aloe vera, Beach Towel board games(Twister, Checkers & Tic, Tac Toe), hacky sacks, insect repellent, plastic baseball bat and ball sunflower seeds, buckets and shovels(to build sand castles), soft-sided cooler plastic Trucks to play in the sand with, croquet game, kiddy blow up pool, ice tea, lemonade, sunglasses, sunscreen

Hawaiian/Luau:
Macadamia nuts, coconut creme cookies, Kona coffee, sugar in the raw packets, photos/cards with Hawaiian scenery, go to orientaltrading.com they have a TON of Hawaiian things like paper palm trees, grass hula skirts, leis, coconut novelties, tropical straws w/ palm trees, flamingos, pineapples, etc. pineapple chunks, 'Hawaiian tropic lotion smell', Hawaiian punch juice boxes, sun glasses, pina colada drink mixes, bag of seashells, line the box with tropical themed wrapping paper, Hawaiian girl car ornament, inflatable fish, sharks, palm trees, Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, Dole tropical fruit cups, dried mango, papaya and pineapple, those L’Oreal Kids Shampoo in fish shaped containers, teriyaki chicken and beef nuggets, Barbie dolls dressed in bikinis, colorful flip flops

Kick back and have some fun:
Dominoes, playing cards, magazines, books, music CD's, those relaxation CD(the ones with sounds of waves, etc), crossword puzzles, word searches, jig saw puzzles, hand-held electronic games, squirt guns, water balloons, bubbles, hacky sacks, Nerf Balls, jokes and funny pictures and cartoons

Going Nuts/Hang In There Package:
banana chips, barrel of monkey game, I think Little Debbie makes some Curious George Banana Twin cakes, Bath & Body Works has some Kids Bananarama wipes, all kinds of nuts - caramel corn with nuts, peanut butter, peanut butter crackers, Baby Ruth, snickers, almond joy, planters bars, peanut brittle, Peanut - Almond or Peanut Butter M&M's, all flavored corn nuts

Cold Season :
some cough drops, Kleenex, tea, instant noodle soup, hot chocolate, get well card phone card to call MOMMY

Poker Party:
Poker chips and cards... for snacks cheese and BBQ Pringles, sunflower seeds, Tabasco flavored microwave popcorn (found at dollar store)... cheese/cracker snack packs with Pepperoni pieces, chips and dips, salsa, pretzels, shelled peanuts, dice, play money, dealer visors and a lucky rabbits foot and shot glasses, felt to play on, Crackers & Pub cheese or velveeta (no refridge req'd kind), beef summer sausage, salami, or pepperoni, drink mixes (Bloody Mary, Margarita, etc - for virgin drinks), Gatorade or iced tea powder some kind of multicolor hard candies (in case they run out of chips, chocolate - Tasteations or Nips or equiv. for the summer, men's magazines, CDs/Music & batteries, cards, chips, dice , bubble gum cigars & candy cigarettes - party-themed napkins/plates/decor

Salute to the Heroes:
bag of toy soldiers, donuts, water guns, small black flashlight, there are some fire stations that will give a t-shirt to another fireman in a different area that may be visiting, maybe if you explain what you are doing they may give you a t-shirt from their station a St. George Medal. St. George is the Patron Saint of the Military. The inscription on the back reads: "Keep us safe, day and night. Give us courage, strength and might."

Warm Them Up:
Hot Tamales, flaming hot Cheetos, hot sauce, hot nuts, Cajun spices, Fritos and Jalapeno Dip, Atomic Fire Balls, Cinnamon Gum, Red Hots, Hot-Flavored Planters Peanuts, Mini bottles of hot sauce, Cinnamon TicTacs, IcyHot Sore Muscle Rub, Crystal Lite Iced Tea, Andy Capp Red Hot Fries, Jalapeno Jelly Belly Beans, a Hot Rod magazine and Tums,Icy/Hot Cream

and Cool Them Down:
A few of Angel's chilly willys squirt guns, Fan/Mister & Batteries, Dentyne Ice & Koolerz gum IceBreakers mint tin Lemonade Drink Mix SnowBall cakes Cool Ranch Doritos, Sunglasses, water bottle "wet suit", candy, ice cream cone thing-a-ma-jigs

American A-Z:
A- Individual Apple Pies B-Baseball: Plastic or nerf baseball and bat C- cotton candy in a bag, chocolate chip cookies, D- Ding Dong Hostess Cakes E- F- Flags, Nerf Footballs, G-Gatorade powder H- Hot Dogs(Vienna Sausages(chicken)) I-Ice Cream -The astronaut Ice Cream someone else mentioned J- Jokes, jelly bean ( red white and blue ) K- Kool Aide mix, Kellogs cereals L- M- mac n cheese N- O- Oreos P- poker cards/chips,phone card to call home, Mr Potato Head, popcorn Q- Q-tips R- Racing: Die Cast Cars, Schedules from Race Tracks, Ritz crackers S-Sunflower Seeds, Soldiers (Toy Soldiers), slinky T- tea for sun tea, twinkies, taco bell sauce U-Unity: Photos showing people's support of our soldiers(signs in yards, etc) V- volley ball and net W- watermelon flavored hard candy X- Y- yo yos, yellow mustard Z- zingers

Fishing:
a box of "Whoppers, the game Go Fish, some little plastic fish from Oriental Trading Co, they've got all kinds of fish and things like that, rig up a little fishing pole out of a piece of dowel rod and string, a hat with fishing flies on it, pepperidge farms goldfish crackers, Swedish Fish, Field and Stream magazines, gummy night crawlers, tuna kit

Lets Play Ball:
baseballs, peanuts, major league gum, sunflowers, baseball cards, baseball hat, shredded beef jerky (looks like snuff), sunglasses, popcorn, Cracker Jacks and a pennant from a hometown team, game day programs, stats on teams and players

Gentlemen start your engines:
Any racing related items: NASCAR, NHRA, BUSCH, Formula One, little remote control car, they also make die cast car replicas of the individual driver's cars

Pamper Party:
I'm thinking of including 2 bottles of foot soak and a small inflatable pool so they can all soak their feet, also some foot lotion, foot powder, foot files, new socks, some mud mask stuff, and some cappuccino or International Foods coffee and some cookies, some shampoo and deep conditioning treatment too, scented lotions, peel-off facial masques (individual), travel size Caress body washes & lotions, travel size baby powders, chap sticks, clear fingernail polish, emery boards, foot scrub & foot/leg lotion, new socks & underwear, microwave popcorn, fancy chocolates, the movie "Thelma & Louise", Cosmo & other magazines, stationary, plastic soap dish's with lid's and used those to pack several small bottles of nail polish & toe separators. Wal-mart has a little itty bitty bottle for $0.88 in various colors. Liquid body gel & lotion in matching scents, a soap scrunchie, a back washing "strap", packet of pony tail holders, case of bobby pins, a small pair of trim scissors., nail clippers, tweezers, disposable "ladies" razors, toothpaste, toothbrush

For Fun and Entertainment:
Batteries (AA, AAA, C), Blank Greeting Cards (for Soldiers to send home), Books, Magazines (Please see disallowed items list), Card games (Uno, Skip-bo, etc.), Colored pencils, Crossword Puzzle Books, Decks of cards, Dice, Disposable Cameras, DVD/CD cases with zippers, Bandannas, DVD’s and VHS Movies, Electronic hand held games (poker, blackjack, etc.), Flashlight with a red lens, Frisbee, Envelopes, Global phone cards (pre-paid), Hackie Sacks, Hand-held games, Jigsaw Puzzle Books, ,Jokes & comics, Journals, Jump ropes, Mini-fans, Music CDs, Nerf toys (small footballs, basketball, etc.), Paper / Stationary, Pencils (mechanical), Pens (Black ink only), Pocket size notebook, Slinky’s, Softballs, Squirt guns, Travel games, Word Search Books, Wrap Around Sunglasses (Blaster Shield Style), Yo-yo’s, you could also use newspaper for packing material that way they could read it afterwards.

Food and Snack Items:
Crystal Lite Drink Mixes (Just add water) Beef Jerky, Beef Summer Sausage, Breakfast Cereal – Individual sizes, Cereal bars, Instant Cup of Soup (Just add Water), Cheese and Crackers, Chex Mix / Snack Mix, Instant coffee (various flavors), Chocolate, Coffee Singles (like a tea bag), Coffee-mate Non-Dairy Creamer (powder), Condiments (Fast food restaurant type packets), Cookies, Equal (packets), Fruit Cocktail / Applesauce Snack Packs, Gatorade (presweetened, powder), Granola Bars, Gum, Hard Candy, Hickory Farms Beef Stick, Homemade cookies / baked goods, Hostess Snack Cakes, Hot cocoa / Hot chocolate (Just add water), Hunt’s Snack Pack Puddings, Individually Wrapped Snack Items, Instant Grits (Just add water), Instant Oatmeal (Just add water), Jell-O Snack Packs, Kool-aid (presweetened, powder), Kraft Handi Snacks, ,Lemonade Mix (presweetened, just add water),Life Savers / Certs / Tic Tac’s, Little Debbie Snack Cakes / Treats, Malted Milk Mixes (Just add water), Maruchan Instant Lunch Cup of soup/noodles, Milk & Cereal bars, Nacho dip, Peanut Butter and Crackers, Pop tarts / Pop tart sticks, Power bars, Pretzels (Regular, Yogurt dipped, etc.), Pringles snack size packs, Rice Krispies Treats, Salt / Pepper packets, Snack Crackers (Wheat thins, Ritz), Snack Size Chip Varieties, Sugar (packets), Tea Bags, Trail Mix, Tuna Snack Kits, Velveeta

"Spiritual Journey"
devotional literature; encouraging studies; bulletins, notes, & recordings from congregation; books by favorite authors (to be shared with one another then donated to the chapel), etc.

"Surviving the Sandstorms"
eye wash, nasal spray, chap stick, sand scarf, bandana, etc.

"Laundry Load"
laundry soap (sample size), fabric softener sheets, cleans socks, socks, underwear and bras fare always eaten up by the washer and or dryer.

"Lotta Java"
Tea, cocoa, coffee singles, creamer, sugar, international coffee tins,

"Thanks a Million!"
Things that "seem" expensive such as Grey Poupon, small amount of cash, electronic version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, and wrap items in green tissue paper, monopoly money, chocolate coins

"Hang in There!"
Stuffed animal monkey, banana bread, banana chips, banana pudding, Monkeys in a Barrel game, card with a monkey on it

"A Day at the Beach"
sunscreen, beach towel, beach snacks, flip flop sandals (shower shoes), Aloe Vera gel, sunglasses, beach music, beach ball

"Medicine Cabinet"
Aspirin, band-aids, Neosporin cream, A&D ointment, cold medicine, Alka Seltzer, Rolaids, etc.

"Staying Healthy"
Nutrition/health bars, vitamins, nutri-grain bars, Gatorade or PowerAid,

"MRE/Mess Hall Survival Kit"
Restaurant size condiments and snacks

"Action Heroes"
Powerbars, squirt guns, Red Bull drinks, small Army figurines, towels with action figures

"To Be a Kid Again"
silly string, bubbles, small bouncy balls, hacky sacks, brain teaser toys (Rubix Cube, etc.), deck of cards, dominoes, whoopie cushion

"Bathroom in a Box"
toilet paper, razor refills, foot powder, bars of soap, washcloths, travel size shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush

"Stress Reliever"
back scratcher, bubble wrap, yo-yos, bubbles, squeezy tension

"I’m Nuts about You"
peanuts, cashews, pistachios, peanut butter cookies, any

"Rocks On"
Pop rocks, CDs, Itunes/Napster music gift card, music dvd

"And this Little Piggie went to the Sandbox"
(foot care kit) foot powder, boot inserts, foot lotion, foot file, fresh socks, toe nail clippers

"Chili Today, Hot Tamale"
Hot Tamales (candy), small cans of chili, red pepper flakes, salsa flavored sunflower seeds, Cajun flavor Pringles, Spicy Chex mix, Boston Red Hots, peppered beef jerky, Taco Bell hot sauce packets, Extreme Doritos, chili powder, nacho cheese sauce in a can

"How do you eat your OREOS?"
regular Oreos, peanut butter Oreos, double stuff Oreos, chocolate filled Oreos, etc.

"Pick Nick Basket"
Line basket with linen napkin and fill with juice boxes, beef summer sausages, pre-packaged cheese, fruit roll ups, chips, nuts, cookies, candies, pickles, olives, etc. Throw in some plastic ants and photos of your pick nick back home

Hot & Spicy Extreme Pack:
Hot sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, extreme Doritos, extreme cheese sandwich crackers, microwave popcorn (use chili powder on this), Nachos, jar cheese, salsa, tums.

At the Movies:
New release movie, or taped sitcoms, microwave popcorn (get empty popcorn tubs from movie theater for putting popcorn in), cups & straws, Koolaid mix, movie candy (good-n-plenty, whoppers, malt balls, etc)

Saturday Morning Cartoons:
tapes of cartoons, mini boxes of cereal, poptarts, cereal bars, fun socks or boxers, fun pillow cases

Fun & Games:
Nerf balls of all kinds, bubbles, cards, card games, hacky sack, squirt guns, balloons, Frisbees, silly string, slinky, bubble gum, rice krispy treats, cookies, pez & dispensers, popcorn, koolaid, travel games

Fishing in a Box:
Fishing Magazines, goldfish crackers, Swedish fish, gummi worms, fishing games, playing cards, fisherman’s hat, tackle box, lip balm, sunscreen, lego kit of a boat, sand pail to fill with water to play with fish price fishing game that comes with plastic fish, fishing pole & tackle box.

Keep Smiling box:
Magic 8 Ball, Mad Libs, Smiley Face Toys, Goofy candy like Sours, Nerds, Laffy Taffy (line box with Smiley face paper)

Lotta Java Pack:
teas, cocoa, coffee packs & canned coffees (starbucks), Milano’s cookies, relaxing magazine to read, etc

Staying Healthy:
Doctor bag or plastic toy one filled with aspirin, cold meds, sinus meds, vitamins, visine, bandaids, Neosporin, power bars, soup, and other health related things

Movie Care Package:
Movie (DVD or VHS), Microwave Popcorn (or already popped if they don't have access),M&Ms, Doritos, Cracker Jacks, Rice Krispie Treats, Twizzlers, Cookies (Oreos and Chips Ahoy),Ruffles Chips & Dip, Hot Tamales, Nachos (Tortilla chips & cheese),Make a "Now Featuring" Movie "Poster" on your computer and add it to the package

Get Well Package:
Puzzle, Chicken Noodle Soup Packets, Gourmet Tea Packets, Cold Medicine, Crackers, Inspirational "Get Well" Quotes, Goldfish, Dole Fruit Cups, Get Well "Pills" (candy coated mints),Get Well Card, Chapstick, A&D ointment

Holiday Themed Packages:
Fill any package with holiday themed ideas and use things like tissue paper, balloons, confetti etc. to decorate it!

[Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom]

Susan, I am in absolute awe of your creativity. I'm passing your themes on to my corpsman moms. You totally ROCK these theme care packages! Thanks for the inspiration. I'm addicted to sending care packages as any good Molly Adopt a Sailor is; this really enhances the experience!

[SeaBeeMomma((April))]

Best ideas of what to send EVER :) Can't wait to theme up our next care package. Thanks!

[Susan mom to Niko]

Another idea (especially good if they are missing home and their wife and kids) is a "Day in our lives" package!

The idea is to replicate a day with you. First, you'll need a camera. Take pictures of each thing you do. Use your creativity here are a few ideas:

We woke up (take a picture in bed) and ate breakfast (take a picture eating cereal) and then took a shower (take picture in towel). We started the day off by doing some yard work and mowing the lawn (take picture mowing lawn). After our work, we had lunch (take picture with lunch). Then we colored pictures - or threw around a football etc. (take pictures doing activity). We all ate dinner together (take picture having dinner). We had a full day so we were tired when it was time to set down and watch our favorite TV programs (take picture watching TV). Later we snuggled up in our jammies (take picture in jammies) and had a nighttime snack (take picture snacking). We love you very much and miss you! (send picture of kiss goodnight)

Now take all of your pictures (referencing above) and send them attached to the "treats"

Pillowcase with cologne/perfume sprayed or better a decorated one
Several small boxes of cereal or cereal bars
Shower Gel or Shampoo or even a towel
Grass Clippings in a baggie or dirt from backyard (strange but reminds them of home)
Color Books or Football
Lunch Snacks
New Pajamas or slipper socks
Popcorn
Recorded TV show or movie DVD
Hershey's Kisses

[Carla Street]

Comment by AngiePNMx2 on September 16, 2010 at 12:52pm Delete Comment superfeet...

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

(in response to a question of what is good to send for feet.)

[Seabee.Mom.Idaho]

these are good ideas, ones that i will certain share with family! thanks

[D~W~G]

THESE IDEAS ARE JUST GREAT!....Does anyone know where I can get Sailors/Soldier to Adopt?

[Susan mom to Niko]

Join us in the group... Molly's adopt a sailor... every month we adopt a different deployed unit! Sometimes on a ship, sometimes in the sand.... has been fun to 'travel all over the world'!!

[Carla Street]

Hi Horizons.  there is a list of rules in the military community called OPSEC which is essentially security rules and it is against the rules to give out addresses to people you don't know so it's hard to get addresses.  You need to look in your community and/or friends or acquaintances of your sailor.   Also, USO.   You can send them out thru them sometimes.   It's much tighter security than it used to be in order to keep our military safe.   Best of luck to you!