What is the best thing to get for my daughter for Christmas. She is living on the USS Truman

[judysgirl]

My daughter got assigned to the USS Truman.  I still want to get her something for Christmas, but am not sure what to get being that she is living on the Carrier.  I know they do not have much room.  Also, I have no clue how to even send her mail or packages.  She just graduated from her "A" school.  So I am pretty new to this.

[MOmom]

The following is from the Any Soldier/Sailor site:

We want to show our support to the folks who are far from their families protecting our freedoms and we want to do all we can to show them that they are not forgotten. We realize how cool it would be to coordinate a huge drive to collect tons of stuff and money to send to all 1,682 of them to feel better during the holidays.

And we can do it! But maybe we shouldn't.

We learned a lot of lessons since we started this 9 years, 3 months and 14 days ago, and we strive to do things better. Please read on.

This is really a tough call. Every year so many folks wait until the holidays to send their packages that units are buried, not to mention the APO/FPO. Please keep in mind that most units have no place for massive amounts of packages, nor the means to move them.

So, what are you supposed to do? Simple, really.

 You should never send more then 5 packages to the same address at the same time. Actually, 1-2 a day is best. Chances are you are not the only person sending something and the soldiers will have to deal with the packages on their 'down time', which I can tell you isn't much at all.
We can't stress this enough:
NO large shipments at the same time to the same address. Ever.

 Send early. OK, you knew that. Holiday shipping dates from the USPS are posted on this web site as soon as we get them.

 Keep the packages SMALL!!!
Remember, this is about support, not just stuff. Think about this: Mail call, the Sailor hears his/her name called out, with joy he/she gazes toward the box that the mail clerk points to. Friggin box is bigger than the tent he/she lives in. Weighs more then a Battalion Commander! Not cool...

Are we saying don't do anything? No, we are asking for you to realize that you can be part of the solution. The many wonderful folks who have participated in supporting our service members have been simply outstanding in their generosity. There is no doubt you will continue.

Many, many people will not know about this and with good intentions actually help cause a huge log jam. I am asking for all the folks involved with the Any Soldier Inc. web site and effort to not do big drives this or any holiday, or at least really think how what you will do effects the folks you are trying to support.

Help them all year, not just the holidays. Consider a tax deductible monetary donation to Any Soldier Inc. who connects supporters directly to the troops in need.

Here is a perfect example from a supporter:
"Wouldn't it be fun to send "Happy Thanksgiving in September" and "Merry Christmas in October" packages with a note saying that you'll resume sending packages after the holidays? It could be Thanksgiving in October and Christmas in November if the packages aren't sent to close to the holidays. The packages could contain cards and decorations for the troops as well as cards for them to send to their loved ones. They would still know that they are remembered and cared about and the mail service would be less overwhelmed at the holidays.
Just a thought.
Yours, 
Lee"

Thank you for your support!!

[Debbie]

Google rackpack  they sailors like thm it gives them more room to put things.  My son was on the Truman for 4 yrs and he loved his.  Make sure you use the  flat rate military boxes from the post office.  Since you will be sending it to a APO address the flat rate is a little cheaper.  Send her her favortie snacks  shampoo  a book to read  etc. 

[MOmom]

P.S. -

USPS last date to ship for military packages to arrive by Christmas is Dec 17, 2012. 

My son liked getting recent sports and workout/training magazines to pass around in his division while on deployment. Suggestion: get a subscription (of your daughter's interests) sent to your home, and forward them by flat rate. That's a gift she'll have all year. 

[Anti M]

You will mail her packages to the FPO address for the Truman. If she hasn't given it to you yet, you can probably get it from someone in their support group here or on Facebook. It is US mail, and you will fill out a customs form.

If you are sending anything like shampoo or soaps, send them separately from food, the scent can get into everything. Be sure you put liquids in ziplock baggies, no one likes to get a soggy package! I did once, it was very sad, and the clerks on base weren't amused. Sometimes sending small "travel" size toiletries is nice, you can send a variety all year and know they're easier for the sailor to store.