Care Packages from home

[Kim]

Mason Jars:  filled with home made jam, cakes, pies, etc.  Make sure they are sealed in plastic in case they break and pack with bubble wrap, newspaper, etc. so they don't break.  There are cake or pie in a jar recipes online.

Seasonal boxes:  Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas.  Anything from home that reminds them of the holidays.  Chocolate sometimes melts but they eat it anyway.

Get a sealer:  My son loves my homemade fudge and shares it with his shop.  Can of sweetened condensed milk, little oil, icing sugar, bag of choc. chips.  Microwave and mix with hands until firm.  Pour into sealer bag and seal.

DVDs.  They can watch on their computer (my son access to a t.v. and dvd player) I sent newly released movies and we burned dvds of old shows and movies.

Snacks/Meals:  My son had a storage drawer in his shop.  I sent him microwave items and other snacks.  There are long lines for meals and he usually skipped lunch.

I got a stack of boxes and custom forms from the post office.  As soon as I sent one box, I would put together the next and leave it open on the dining room table.  I always mail 2-3 weeks before the desired date.  Note:  The military moves packages quicker in December.  Love them.

Jump in ladies with more ideas.

[Lisa FLNavyMom]

My son loves Cliff Bars, single serving Pringles and of course homemade cookies (I bake and freeze them until ready to ship and them put in a air tight container), his favorite magazine (mine likes surfing), any kind of "coated" candy that won't melt. I also send the little mini syrups from Crackle Barrel! His favorite. Oh and never ever put in scented soap with food items, lol, otherwise everything will taste like the soap!

[Anti M]

When I was sending packages, my guys liked all sorts of tea bags, tuna packets, fancy ramen in the bowls, Chex Mix, pretzels, and hard candies, a reusable drinking bottle and energy drink packets.  Any granola or energy bar, nuts (sealed, they go stale), and gum.  Weird candy and gummies.  Mostly salty stuff when they were in the Gulf.  Years apart, and I was sending the same packages to the same ship, same station, different sailors in my life. Odd, huh?

Socks.  Good thick socks.  

I never did send any Mason jar stuff, mostly because trash removal on a ship is tricky and the small boys can't haul a ton of stuff which needs to be tossed.   And yes, no deodorant or air fresheners in with the food, ever. Even mint flavored stuff can crossover into foods.

[yhammer4]

I am putting together a box for my son and I remember reading a few months ago while it was still very hot out, that the kids like waterproof-bamboo socks while on the ships.  I have looked at a few sporting goods stores and have not been able to find these?  Do they need to be ordered from somewhere?

[Anti M]

I have some bamboo socks, I wore them to pieces.  Got them at a random sock store which popped up in our local mall.  They seem just like cotton, I on'y knew they were bamboo fiber from the tag.  Try online stores such as Amazon, but be careful that "bamboo" isn't the color or some fancy designer nickname.

Once you find one pair, you can use the name for better internet searches:

http://www.amazon.com/ECOTOOLS-7416-Ecotools-Moisture-Bamboo/dp/B00...

[Cheryl Proud to be Allen's Mom]

Thank you Kim for the list and info.  I really am interested in the homemade fudge recipe that you make.  I am going to have to try it here at home first to see if I can do it myself.  LOL!  I just sent Allen a box of goodies because his birthday is on Sept 27.

[T-Lynn]

It is now getting cooler in temps. So if going to Japan now - pack their long johns !!!!!!  And at least 3 pairs !

Didn't we have a recipe of a cake in mug? Have to find that

[Maggs]

Try to send two of everything.. One for sailor, and one to share.. Some guys dont get boxes!  Also. mini footballs, etc. they can toss about on the flight deck, they may lose them over board. Deck of cards, mini Frisbee, hacki sacks.  I found mini simon, mini etch-a-sketch etc. I told him to leave them on the ship when he came home. 

[Angie]

I like sending themed care packages, just adds to the fun and excitement. This past deployment, I sent my sailor a box once a month, and themed them around movies, sports or other things he loves or that have sentimental value between us. I look at it as a way to remain close to him, and to bring cheer to his days and let him know I am thinking about him daily.

One box was an "Avengers" themed box. It was filled with Avengers-esque snacks, a Captain America action figure in which he carries with him every day (I also included an album with photos with Captain America in places we've been to together, family, and events I was going to while missing him), magazines about the making of the movie, a themed sweatshirt, and decorated the box will avengers photos, etc.

Another was a baseball themed care package, in which he loved! It's the American sport, so cracker jacks, nancho cheese and chips (which magically didnt break), bubble gum, baseballs, and other fun snacks you would find at games. I decorated the box with our two favorite teams.

His birthday box was a superhero box, since I call him my superhero. Cheesy, but he loved it! I included his birthday gift, cakesters, breakfast items, beer pong balls, singing birthday candle, a few other items and all decorated with wrapping paper I made that said "Happy Birthday to my Superhero." 

Have as much fun with it as you can, too!

[Mommabee2]

I want to send cookies to my son in Sasebo, Japan.  Anybody have any suggestions for good ones to send that will ship well?

[Kim]

It's all in how you cook and ship them.  They crush easily.  Plain old Chocolate chip, slightly undercooked.  Cookie tins and old pringles containers work.  Macaroons stay moist.

I also use a sealer on brownies and fudge.  Fudge is my sailors favorite.  I use a bag of chocolate chips, a can of sweetened evaporated milk, icing sugar and oil.  I don't measure.  It's a texture that I look for.  I make it more moist to ship to my sailor.

Opps..I already posted the fudge recipe up top.  There is also oatmeal raisin that travels well.

[josh'saunt (Patricia)]

Okay Kim, I'm going to try your fudge recipe this weekend. I'm finishing up sailor's box. I don't have a sealer though. I also put some easy mac in the box. What else can I send? I asked if he had any requests and he said no don't need anything. Aye!!!!

 

[Anti M]

Ziplock makes bags with a hand pump sealer.  Not as tight, but maybe it would work?