Military Care Package

One of my nephews is currently stationed in a very volatile area. They haven’t shut down the ability to send packages yet and I want to send one off before they do again. I know to include his favorite snacks, but what else would he and the others with him like? What did you want most?

Letters from people at home. Yes, in the day of emails you can get them electronically, but actual paper letters you can hold in your hand, put in your pocket, look at even when the power is out or you are in BFE and have no wifi.

Just reminders that you know they are there, you know they are struggling, and you haven't forgotten them. Reminders of what you and they can do when they get home, places to go, games to play. Things to remind them there is a future waiting for them. Extra points for printed out photos, letters from the dog, cute small cards from the kids in their lives, a friend they haven't talked to in ages, etc. Nothing maudlin or over heavy or blah blah how miserable you are that they are not there. Just reminders they are loved

Small (very small) trinkets from home they can keep with them. Thing key chain sized - something that doesn't take up space but reminds them of what they are fighting for. Send extras they can share with others on the team so they can remember together

And of course lots of snacks that won't melt!

goofy toys. dart guns you can shoot at each other. bath toys which you can use in harmless pranks. weird stuff you still haven't figured out why you kept in the first place.

When I had relatives in the military I'd send treats. Some things you can't send but I'd send candy, etc. Larger quantities because there was a strong sense of "family" among the fellow soldiers. So, I'd send things they could share.

Not sure you can still get them, but the UPS used to provide a package of boxes and label free. Had to order it online.

I ask myself… what would I send someone I love, now?

I don’t know.

I know what was deeply meaningful, or useful, then, to me.

It’s been decades. Since I was the one far from home, doing what needed doing. Under an umbrella of bureaucracy. And what meant what, felt what, what was useful as f*ck, or useless as sniggers, to me then.

Ask them.

Tell me… what you want. Tell me, what you need. I’ll get it to you. Somehow. Someway. Tips/tricks appreciated.

USPS has free boxes too

OceanSpray said:

What did you want most?

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Homemade cookies. I loved getting them when deployed. Shared them out and we all enjoyed them. Gave us a little slice of home.

Why haven't you asked him cause the way I see it, if it's someone you're willing to send something to, there must have already been information on what is expected.

Personally I can't stand the element of surprise but it must be different with people you can trust to not make you uncomfortable.

parrotthepolly said:

Why haven't you asked him cause the way I see it, if it's someone you're willing to send something to, there must have already been information on what is expected.

Personally I can't stand the element of surprise but it must be different with people you can trust to not make you uncomfortable.

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It’s possible that I’m just in a bad mood but this comment really irks me. Of course I’ve asked my nephew, he’s a man of few words. He was the parentified child in my sisters house. He’s the one who absolutely does not communicate when he wants or needs things because he was trained from early on to be independent and be the one that everyone else can depend on. So yes, of course I ask him but of course I’m going to get input from others in his position. There isn’t a single freaking world in this universe where I am going to send my nephew something that is going to make him uncomfortable. Surprises are good.

OceanSpray said:

Surprises are good.

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They are when you're deployed. We basically get bugger all when deployed, so getting something different, a surprise,, especially home cooked food or some food you love at home and miss when deployed, makes for the best day ever during those times.