My husband was deployed to Afghanistan with my first pregnancy and to Iraq with my second. It got to be a joke among the 98 Charlies that “If Anne Marie is expecting a baby, we’re going to be deployed soon.” Sending care packages to my husband brought both of us a great deal of joy, and it was a great way to let him that little Joseph and I were thinking of him all the time.
Here are some tips for getting you started if going the do-it-yourself route. First of all, check out the free military care kits from the United States Postal Service. They include boxes, tape, labels and forms.
Expect a care package sent via Priority Mail to arrive in 10-14 days.
Next, here’s a list of some of the most popular items I sent over the years.
Most Requested Military Care Package Items:
- Non-perishable food (snack mix, trail mix, dried fruit and nuts, jerky, chips, crackers, popcorn, pretzels, protein and granola bars, etc.)
- Powdered drink mixes (tea, cappuccino, Kool-Aid, Crystal Lite, etc.)
- Sweets (candy, gummies, cookies, packaged doughnuts and cakes, etc.)
- Dry soup and microwavable foods
- Gum and breath mints
- Light reading material (magazines, hometown newspaper, almanac)
- Lists and stats (guys love to read – and share – books with sports stats, top 10 lists, comparisons, etc.)
- Toiletries (if you can, check first and see if they are short on anything)
- Eye drops and nasal spray
- Tissues and disposable wipes
- Sunblock
- Supplements/vitamins
- Hand and foot warmers (depending on the climate)
- Shoe inserts/insoles
- Socks and sock hats
- Seasonings (small bottles of hot sauce, BBQ sauce, Taco Bell packets, etc. – very securely wrapped)
- Photos and family artwork
- Samples of your child’s schoolwork
- CD’s and DVD’s (store bought or ones you’ve burned especially for them)
- Pet momentos
- Home videos on a portable data storage device (like a jump drive)
- Humor (funny stories, comic books)
- Romantic tokens (a handwritten card with a pressed flower inside, a small framed picture of the two of you, an engraved gift, etc.)
- Writing materials (paper, envelopes, stamps)
- Visa and Mastercard gift cards
- Phone cards
- Sunglasses
- Posters (to liven up the living quarters)
- Planners/calendars
- Small games (travel size, packs of cards, puzzle books, brain teasers, etc.)
- Air fresheners (not plug-in)
- Disposable or instant camera
- AA, AAA and D (but lithium-ion are prohibited)
- Basic healthcare items (lip balm, pain relief, antacid, etc.)
- Seasonal items (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, etc.)
- Religious and inspirational books, pamphlets and keepsakes
- Decorations! (throw in some tinsel, confetti, ribbons – anything to make it festive and fun)
- and don’t forget to include a card or letter!
5 Important Things to Keep in Mind
- Prepare your package for possible rough handling
- Prepare your package for possible temperature extremes
- Avoid aerosol cans and carbonated beverages.
- It’s super nice to send extra items for soldiers that may not ever get care packages of their own
- Don’t send contraband (prohibited) items. See list below. These may be subject to confiscation and get a soldier in hot water! Check with the unit just in case there are items specifically prohibited where they are deployed, for instance in the Middle East.
Contraband or Prohibited Items:
- Glass containers
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Weapons
- Drugs (other than OTC)
- Explosives
- Flammables/Fireworks/Lighters/Matches
- Explicit/Obscene Items
Easy Ways to Send a Military Care Package
What if time is running short, and you’re fresh out of inspiration?
If it’s not feasible to assemble your own package. let someone else do it!
One option is Universal Yums! They send boxes of snacks and candies from a different country every month. Packages can be shipped to the US (including military addresses and territories), Canada, Australia, the UK, and Israel. We received the December Holiday Box from Universal Yums and have been busily working our way through snacks from 13 different countries: Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Uruguay, Jordan, The Philippines, Italy, Croatia, Austria, Japan, Belgium and Poland.
There’s even a chart to record our votes for favorite foods. Also included are recipes, trivia and games from each country. Prices start at $13.75 per box and you can choose to send just once, or every month. I think any soldier would be thrilled with the unique assortment of treats in a Universal Yums box.
If you are a service member, you can also request a care package from Move America Forward. They are sent out for free courtesy of generous donations from people all over the world.
If you don’t know a soldier personally, but want to support him, AnySoldier.com can help! Or, make a donation to Move America Forward. You can also write a letter of encouragement and mail it to Support Our Trips. They will forward it on to a service member for you.
Have any questions? Leave me a comment below!
This article was previously published in part at TOTS Family
It has been updated and expanded.
This is a great way to support those on active duty! And thanks for succinctly explaining what can and can’t be sent.
This is a really nice idea and I love the list is really helpful. I think some treats and mementos from home would be well-appreciated.
What a great idea! Now if only there was a way to send something to my son who is on a cargo ship.
Now THAT would be handy! ~Anne Marie
This is such a wonderful idea. I’d love to do this. I think it would be amazing to be able to send one. I love all the items in your box!
Thank you, to your husband for his service. I think this idea of sending care packages to our troops is amazing!
Thanks for the kind words, Amy! ~Anne Marie
These care packages are such a fantastic idea. I love the suggestion of giving extra items for soldiers who may never get packages – that is so incredibly thoughtful.
This is such a great reference for what’s truly appreciated out in the field. Thanks for the time you put into this post, for helping us support our loved ones who are not with us during holidays.
What a great idea for a gift package! I am sure that military would especially appreciate that these treats are from around the world!!
This is awesome! Such a great gift idea for military families!
These are such important tips and a list that really helps others put together a good comfort package! I think some treats and favorites for our troops would definitely be a hit!
I find it interesting when you said that military care packages would be sent to those who are deployed to let them know that they are being thought of by their families. I wonder if people are also able to send random packages to the military even if they do not know them. It’s a great way to show appreciation for their risking their lives for our freedom.
Hi Mia, you’re right! Anyone can support service members even if they do not know them personally. There are some resources and websites mentioned at the bottom of the post. – Anne Marie