Sending Care Packages
Slightly off topic today, but I’ll bet there are plenty of you out there who have friends or loved ones in the military. We’re talking about care packages. Gone are the days when the most needed items were personal hygiene and candy. Most deployed military, even in areas like Iraq or Afghanistan, have ready access to exchange facilities*, which stock items commonly found in convenience stores like Oreo cookies, Doritos, soda, and sweets. Shower facilities are commonplace as well, so once-common items like baby wipes aren’t necessary. Instead, you’ll have to do a little more thinking. Being deployed to these areas still isn’t like being at home, so a touch of home or something harder to get will go a long way to relieve boredom.
Some items I like to send:
- A small electronic or card game
- A nerf football, frisbee or other outdoor recreation items
- A craft kit (latch hook, needlepoint, etc) for women or lego kit for men
- Scented flameless candles (women) or air fresheners
- Dry salad toppings/potato toppings/spices to enhance the chow hall eating experience
- Books, magazines or comics that aren’t readily available
- Specialty survival items or warm/cold weather gear (best to ask what they need)
- For the holidays, a miniature christmas tree with LED lights, or any other appropriate holiday items (goofy St. Patrick’s day hat, etc.).
- And of course, letters or notes from home
Don’t send:
- Valuables or one-of-a-kind items (boxes do disappear or get destroyed from time to time)
- Items with personal information like social security or bank account numbers
- Chocolate or homemade goods that will spoil, melt or break
- Pressurized cans of anything (even soda or Cheez Whiz)
- Contraband (alcohol, etc.) (these may be country or unit-specific)
- Anything prohibited by the US Postal Service
Next, let’s consider the packaging itself. The USPS flat-rate box may save money, but for bigger packages, use only corrugated cardboard boxes, not thin paper boxes. Labeled boxes can easily be re-used by turning it inside out: Break the glue holding the flaps and side of the box together, then tape with heavy packing or strapping tape. Use crumpled newspaper or plastic grocery bags for packing materials, completely filling the gaps so that you can shake the box and the items won’t move around. Waterproof vulnerable items by putting them in Ziploc or plastic grocery bags. Once the box is completely packed, seal all seams of the box with clear packing tape (a tape gun works great for this). Put two more strips of tape completely encircling the box perpendicular to the center seam. Put the last strip of tape across the center seam and also completely encircling the box. (If you think you used too much tape, you probably did it right.)
Print the to and from addresses with a Sharpie on index cards, then cover the cards with clear packing tape to seal them completely to the box and waterproof the labels. Get customs forms from the post office ahead of time. You will be required to list the contents of the box. Be wary of how you list the contents to avoid tempting potential package pilferers: put “music” instead of “CDs” for example. When listing the value of the contents, I would also put a lower than actual number for the same reason. When you go to the post office, you will give them the customs form and they will help you do the rest. You will be required to pay for “Priority Mail” service (ask for discounts for family members). Skip the insurance, delivery confirmation, etc. A common delivery time is around three weeks to the Middle East, so plan ahead for birthdays and holidays.
Have fun with it and be creative! It’s always fun to be surprised or have things to share. Help stave off boredom and let them know somebody cares!
Find other tips at the USPS site.
* This is most true for those who stay close to base. If your friend or loved one is in certain fields like the infantry and stationed far from the bases, they may still need these items so be sure to ask!
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