Care Packages

I plan on sending the Hubby a care package each and every week he is gone during his deployment.  I will share them on my blog for a couple purposes.
  • First of all as a way for the Hubby to know if he is getting everything I am sending him.
  • Secondly for ideas/inspiration for anyone else who is putting together care packages.

What to send? 

Being aware of the limited space my soldier will have, anything I send I do not expect to come back.  He took an i-pod, digital camera, and laptop over with him.  So I don't plan on sending anything high dollar (unless requested).  My packages will be comforts of home, mementos, and general need. 

I honestly don't know what all I will be sending yet.   Different bases and places have different things available, he may have access to toothpaste/brushes etc., but maybe not his favorite brands.
There are tons of general lists out there, but from asking friends who have been through deployment the top items on their lists were the same:
  • handwritten letters from home (2 lines or 12 pages, didn't matter)
  • some pictures to hang up
  • magazines/local newspapers
  • nonperishable foods 

The Hubby's most requested items:

  • Trail Mix
  • Teryaki Jerkey
  • Dill Pickle flavored sunflower seeds
  • Razor Blades
  • Tinactin Foot Spray
  • Pictures
  • His Grandma's Gingersnap Cookies

His please do not send list:

  • Candy/sweets (other than his favorite cookies from his grandma)
  • Toothpaste/oral hygiene - available on base
  • Anything that has no useable purpose and just takes up space
  • Drink mixes - they are overly abundant and readily available

Care to share? I would love to hear of your ideas or tips as well!
I will post any tips, tricks, or lessons learned through trial and error.  I hope this may help someone else. You can also check out my pinterest inspiration board.
  
Care Packages:
Care Package #1 - Forgotten Items
Care Package #2 - More requested Items
Care Package #3 - Feel Better, Feel Pampered
Care Package #4 - Cake in a Jar
Care Package #5 - Home Away From Home
Care Package #6 - Red, White, and Blue
Care Package #7 - For Your Family
Care Package #8 - These Boots Were Made For Walking
Care Package #9 - Snacks and a Memory Keeper!
Care Package #10 - Talk to Me Technology
Care Package #11 - Requested Foot Relief
Care Package #12 - Snacks, Misc
Halloween Care Package/Hygiene Box
Thanksgiving
Its Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas
12 Days of Christmas