Needing ideas

[armyinfmom63]

This is really for any man or woman that has been deployed far away from home. I have sent my son his Christmas box which he has recieved, but I want to send a follow up one to him. He has a laptop computer, and was thinking of sending him a webcam. Would that be a good idea?? I am adding one to my computer also, so whenever we get to connect together, can see each other ect.
Or what in your experiences would be something good to send?? I ask him and he just says goodies, but did ask for virus ware which I did send already. Just don't want get into the routine of sending the same things, and want to give him something that can connect him with home more. Any ideas or such will help.
Thanks a lot!!

[AmericanGirl]

A lot of times I have been asked for pictures, postcards, anything to decorate their walls with that would remind them of home... A web cam would be good, and I know a lot of supporters have sent Theme Boxes... One did a "Luau in a Box" complete with Leis and grass skirts, coconuts, etc. If he is a football fan, A Superbowl Party in a Box... with a football, the fan gear, nachos, and what have you... or maybe a movie marathon box complete with dvds, popcorn and movie theater candy...

[armyinfmom63]

Thanks for those suggestions, he has told me he has tried to keep up with the Colts, but their news is slow as far as those things go. He did ask for prints from his sons' 2nd birthday (Dec 6th), don't have anyway to print them otherwise.

But the decorating is good. I am trying to get his 4yr old sister to make things for him, so we will see. But she is too young to understand, she knows "bubby" is away, but she thinks he will walk in the door anyday. Toughy one there to get her to understand he can't just come back. I am trying to help her with this.
Thanks for your suggestions, will probably use some.
Pam

[AmericanGirl]

This is from one of my support sites...

Themed Care Packages

Surviving the Sandstorms - Eye wash; Nasal spray; Chapstick; Bandana; goggles/sun glasses; etc

Laundry Load - Laundry soap (‘sample size’ or Tide tablets kind) to pack in with their clothes….in case there are no washer/dryers; Fabric softener sheets; clean socks and undershirts; Febreeze

Lotta Java - Tea; Cocoa; Coffee singles; creamer; sugar; International Coffee tins; cookies for dunking in coffee

Thanks a Million!! - Things that may “seem” expensive. Ex: Grey Poupon; electronic game of “Who wants to be a Millionaire?”;

Hang in There! - Stuffed animal monkey; Banana bread; Banana chips; Banana pudding (the kind that doesn’t have to be refrigerated); Monkey’s in a Barrel game; card with a monkey on it.

A Day at the Beach! - sunscreen; beach towel; beach snacks; flip flop sandals (shower shoes); aloe vera gel;

Medicine Cabinet - aspirin; band-aids; Neosporin cream; A&D ointment; cold medicine; alka seltzer; Rolaids; etc.

Staying Healthy - nutrition/health bars (ex: Powerbar; Tigers Milk; Myoplex); vitamins; Nutri-grain bars; Gatorade or other sports drink (to stay hydrated)

MRE/Mess Hall Survival Kit - restaurant size condiment packs of: bbq sauce, mustard, ketchup, mayo, relish, salt. Pepper, taco sauce, ranch, cheese in a can dip, etc

Correspondence Carton - notebook paper; stationery; pens; pencils; stickers (who knows they may even play with these!!); envelopes, address book (filled out already of course); camera (with a note to send back once it is full)

Action Hero’s - Powerbars; squirt guns; Red Bull drinks; small Army figurines;comic books; Gatorade; Red Bull drinks; etc

To Be A Kid Again - silly string; bubbles; small bouncy balls; hacky sacks; brain teaser toys (rubix cube, etc); deck of cards; dominoes; slinky, Frisbee’s; Pez w/ dispenser; Nerf balls; sand box toys (pail, small shovel, etc)

Bathroom in a Box - TOILET PAPER!!! (the soft stuff); razor refills; foot powder; bars of soap; fresh, clean, soft washcloth; travel size
shampoo/conditioner; toothpaste; toothbrush; etc

Ruck Sack Snack Pack - packed full of your loved one’s favorite
snacks….possibilities endless. Doritos; M&M’s; nuts; chips; dips; crackers;jelly beans; beef jerky; gum; etc.

Breakfast on the GO - mutrigrain bars; instant oatmeal cups; small boxes of cereal; pop tarts; Hostess donuts: Otis Spunk Meyer muffins; cocoa; coffee; Tang

Tube O Tasties - Just as something different…send a package in a tube instead of a square box. Make sure the parameters are acceptable though.

Stress Reliever - back scratcher; bubble wrap; yo-yo’s; bubbles; squeezy tension ball

Sloppy Kisses - since we know chocolate melts over there….send a bunch of Hershey’s kisses. Bound to be “sloppy kisses!”

I’m Nuts About You - peanuts; cashews; pistachios; peanut butter cookies; any candy or cookies with nuts in them; Nutter Butter’s; Peanut Lover’s Chex mix; Fiddle Faddle with peanuts

Rock On or Charlie ROCK - pop rocks; music cd’s

Chili Today, Hot Tamale - hot tamales (candy); small cans of chili; red pepper flakes (like the ones at pizza parlors); salsa sunflower seeds; Cajun flavor Pringles; Spicy chex mix; Boston red hots; peppered beef jerky; taco bell hot sauce packets; Extreme Doritos; chili powder; nacho cheese sauce in a can;
Tums/Rolaids;, Jalapeño Ritz

And this little piggy went to the sandbox - (foot care kit)- foot powder; Dr, Scholl’s boot inserts; foot lotion; foot file; fresh, clean socks; toe nail clippers; scrub brush; odor eater balls for shoes/boots; foot soaks (either include a small bucket or large Ziploc bags to soak feet it)

How do you eat your OREOS??!! - regular Oreos; peanut butter Oreos; double stuff Oreos; low fat Oreos; chocolate filled Oreos; chocolate covered Oreos; holiday Oreos

Muchas Gracias…Nachos Supreme - Doritos &/or Fritos &/or any corn tortilla chips; Mexican Velveeta; salsa (wrapped in bubble wrap); small can of olives (don’t forget the can opener); bean dip; nacho cheese dip; small can of green chilies; jar of jalapenos (wrapped in bubble wrap); taco seasoning; small paper
plates or bowls (so they can make their nachos); taco sauce (especially easy are those condiment packets from Taco Bell); You could also send the sauces from the various Mexican dinner kits (they also have tortilla’s in those dinner kits that
are sealed so they would probably get there without molding or drying out); Taco Bell Nacho Supreme kit

Sweet Tooth - Nerds; Gummy Bears; Laffy Taffy; Bubble Gum; Tootsie Rolls; Lolli pops; (any candy that won’t melt)

Pamper Party (for females) - Feminine hygiene products; shampoo/conditioner; hair barrettes and scrunchies (same color as their hair); facial scrub &/or soap; facial mask; lotion; shower gel; razors; facial moisturizer; tweezers; nail care kit; toner; special facial products (alpha hydroxy; eye cream; etc)

Congrats on your promotion - congratulation party favors; all your loved ones favorites snacks; sparkled cider (wrapped in bubble wrap of course); etc.

For the Fisherman - Goldfish crackers; tuna pouches; canned smoked salmon; cans of sardines; gummy worms; Go Fish card game; Field & Stream magazine; electronic fishing rod game; Sponge Bob Square Pants stuffed toy; fishing game toy (made by
several different toy companies. Has a small fishing pole with a magnet on the end. Fish have magnets on their mouths)

Say CHEEEESE! - disposable cameras; cheese dip; Doritos; Cheetos; Cheese nips; Better Cheddars; Velveeta

Kick Back & Relax - Dominoes; playing cards; magazines; books; music cd’s; crossword puzzles; jigsaw puzzles; word searches; hand held electronic games; squirt guns; water balloons; bubbles; hacky sacks; Nerf balls; board games (Axis & Allies, Clue, Trivial Pursuit, etc)

Christmas in July - wrap everything in Christmas wrapping paper; peppermint flavored hard candies

Italian Stallion - Italian cheese Ghardetto’s; Pizza-licious Pringles; Pepperoni pizza Combo’s; small Boboli pizza bread; pizza sauce (for dipping Boboli); canned Ravioli, spaghetti, lasagna, etc

American Classics - Pez with dispensers; Cracker Jacks; Lifesavers; Necco Wafers; Pop Rocks; Nerds; Good & Plenty; Candy Necklaces; Candy cigarettes

Deployed on Thanksgiving - canned turkey; instant mashed potato cups; hard breadsticks; gravy in a jar (wrapped in bubble wrap); Hostess apple pies; small can of corn (or other veggie); something special to cheer them up on Thanksgiving (pictures from home; magazines; tape recorded tape; small
scrapbook; etc)

DINNER PACKAGES

Great ideas for troops that sometimes eat have to eat a lot of MRE’s, Miss meals, share packages with a few others or just as a special treat for your adoptees.

Mexican Fiesta - Canned Chicken, Fajita Seasoning, Jalapeno Peppers, Hot Sauce, Flour Tortillas, Salsa, Cheese Dip, Nachos

Quesadillas - Flour Tortillas, Velveeta Cheese, Canned Chicken Or Tuna Pouches

Chinese Dinner - Canned Chicken, Kung Pao Seasoning (there are other types of Chinese dinner seasonings too), Peanuts, Chinese Vegetables, Minute Rice, Green Tea, Fortune Cookies, Chop Sticks

Italian Dinner - Noodles, Sauce, Beef Sausage or Salami for the Meat, Parmesan, Bread Sticks

Tuna Casserole - Boxes of Velveeta Cheese Shell Dinners or Easy Mac (packages are really small though), Green Beans, Pouches of Tuna, Bread Crumbs or Parmesan Cheese for the topping

Pizza Party - Only works if they have access to an oven - Chef Boy Ardee Pizza Boxes, sliced mushrooms, pepperoni, parmesan cheese, crushed red peppers, Aluminum Pizza Tins

Family Style Dinner - Canned Chicken, Idaho Instant Potatoes (the pouches are great!), envelopes of Gravy, Canned Vegetables

Hor D'oeuvre Tray - Beef Sausage, Salami, Cheese (other than the kind in cans, hickory farms sells other cheeses), Black or Green Olives, Dried Fruit in Pouches, Crackers

Remember to think about some of those throw away plastic containers that are microwable for them to cook in, a few utensils for stirring, and some paper plates....

Basic Care Package Items

FOOD ITEMS

• Dry Cereal, Instant Oatmeal
• Breakfast Bars, Pop Tarts, Granola Bars, Rice Krispy Bars, Fruit Bars, Power Bars, Energy Bars
• Instant Soups, Ramon Noodles
• Chef Boy Ardee Canned Pastas (Ravioli, Lasagne, Spaghetti)
• Canned Chili, Stews, Soups
• Canned Or Packs of Tuna, Chicken, Salmon, Albacore Steaks (Bumble Bee)
• Summer Sausage, Salami, Pepperoni, Beef Jerky, Beef Sticks, Slim Jims
• Jack Link's Fully Cooked Groud Beef (At Walmart Only)
• Peanut Butter
• Kraft Easy Mac or Velveeta Shells & Cheese Microwavalbe Single Servings
• Betty Crocker Bowl Appetit Microwave Pastas
• Kraft Microwave It's Pasta Anytime Dinners. Ragu Express
• Dinty Moore Turkey & Dressing Microwave Bowls
• Thai Kitchen Single Serve Noodle Cart Entrees
• Dried Fruit, Raisins
• Crackers, Graham Crackers, Gold Fish, Animal Crackers, Cheese Nips
• Kraft Easy Cheese Spreads, Packaged Cheese Dips, Small Velveeta Cheese
• Hidden Valley RAnch Individual Dressing Containers (Great For Dipping)
• Oreos, Fig Newton Bars, Grandmas Cookies, Little Debbie Snack Cakes
• Snack Paks - Pudding, Jello, Applesauce
• Chex Mix, Microwabe Popcorn, Trail Misc, Pringles, Cracker Jacks, Fritos
• Pistachio Nuts, Pumpkin Seeds, Walnuts, Almonds
• Gum, Tick Tacs, Breath Mints, Throat Lozengers, Cough Drops
• Hard Candy, Starburts, Skittles, Sweetarts, Jolly Ranchers, Lifesavers
• Tootsie Rools, Tootsie Pops, Cow Tales, Whoppers, Twizzlers, Licorice
• Candy Bars (In Cooler Weather) Snickers, Paydays, Hersheys, Twix Reeses, etc.
• Condiment Packages From Fast Food Chains (Ketchup, Mustard, Sauces, Salt, Pepper, etc.)
• Spices, Tabasco Sauce, Hot Sauces, Salsa
• Seasoning Packs (Fajitas, Chinese, Chili, etc.)
• Kook Aid (Pre-sweetened), Ice Tea, Lemonade, Gatorade
• Plastic Bottles of Cola Drinks, Snapple, Gatorade, etc.
• Coffee, Flavored Coffees, Flavored Teas
• Coffee Mate, Flavored Coffee Mate
• Hot Chocolate, Swiss Miss, Flavored Cocoas

HYGIENE ITEMS

• Toilet Paper, Kleenix Packets
• Liquid Hand Sanitizer, Liquid Soap, Body Washes, Facial Cleansing Cloths
• Flip Flops For Showers
• Shampoo, Conditioner
• Deodorant
• Moisturizing Lotions, Aloe Lotions, Avon Skin So Soft
• Sun Blocks (High SPF)
• Disposable RAzors, Shaving Gel Or Foam, After Shave Lotion
• Feminine Hygiene Products
• Hair Brushes, Combs, Bands, Clips, Spray, Gels
• Small Mirrors
• Toothe Brushes, Tooth Pastes, Mouth Wash, Dental Floss
• Contact Lense Solutions, Eye Drops
• Saline Nasal sprays, Dayquil, Nyquil, Tussin, Rolaids
• No Water Needed Excedrin, Tylenol, Sinus & Cold Tablets
• Q-Tips, Chap Stick, Cotton Balls
• Nail Clipers, Nail Files, Nail Polish (Nuetral Colors), Nail Polish Remover
• Talcum Powder, Baby Powder, Foot Powder, Foot Soaks
• Inner Soles For Boots
• Insect Repellants (Non-Aerosol), Avon Bug Guard
• Baby Wipes
• Coleman 5 Gallon PVC Camp Showers

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

• Stationary Sets, Notebooks, Paper, Envelopes, Pens, Pencils
• Assorted Greeting Cards
• Phone Cards (At & T Only)
• Pictures From Home, Posters From Home
• Local Newspapers, Want Ads, Real Estate Ads, Postcards
• Crossword Puzzles, Find A Word Books, Joke Books
• Magazines, Paperback Books, Spiritual Books, Bibles
• Socks For Boots - Dark Colors
• Underwear (Various Sizes), T-Shirts, Heat Gear Shirts (Hot & Cold Weather)
• Fluffy Bath Towels, Wash Clothes, Bed Sheets
• Bandanas For Sandstorms
• Light Weight Tan Or Army Green Colored Cloth For Sandstorms (10 x 36)
• Surgical Masks For Sandstorms
• Black Non Reflective Sun Glasses
• Paintbrushes For Cleaning Sand Out Of Weapons (2 inch or 4 inch)
• Sewing Kits With Brown Or Green Thread
• Dust Wipes
• Zip Lock Bags (All Sizes)
• Powdered Laundry Detergent
• Batteries (Various Sizes)
• Small Flash Lights Or Book Lights
• Mini Fans
• Disposable Cameras
• Cigarettes, Copenhagen, Skoal
• Microwavable Containers, Stirring Utensils
• Misty Mates (Individual Cooling Containers)
• Chillows (Cooling Pillows)

FUN ITEMS

• Board Games - Yahtzee, Othello, Battleship, Sequence, Backgammon, Chess, Mastermind, Jenga, All Purpose Games (8 in 1), Trivia Games
• Bubbles
• Card Games - Uno, Racko, Skip Bo, Go Fish, Old Maid
• Children's Drawings Or Cards
• Music CD's
• Dart Board
• Dominoes
• Drawing Kit (Sketch Pad, Pencils, Erasers, Crayons, Chalk)
• Electronic Hand Held Games Or Key Chain Games
• Foam Footballs, Basketballs, Baseballs
• Frisbee
• Fun Toothbrushes (Comic Characters)
• Fun Towel Sets (Comic Characters)
• Hackie Sac
• Harmonica
• Holiday Decorations
• Hot Wheel Cars Or Race Track Sets
• Journals
• Legos
• Marbles
• Model Car Kits
• Movies - Videos, DVD's (New Movies, Old Movies, TV Series Shows)
• Needlepoint Kits
• Posters - Scenes From Home, Sports, Music, Etc.
• Remote Control Cars
• Silly Birthday Decorations
• Silly Putty
• Silly Slippers - Animal Creatures
• Slinky
• Sports Items - Caps, T-Shirts, Banners, Posters
• Squirt Guns
• Stress Balls
• Stuffed Animals
• Super Ball
• Water Balloons
• Whoopie Cushions
• Yo-Yo's

[USMC Chuter]

The themed packages are a neat idea. As for the webcam, it depends on where he is and what kind of facilities he has available. Where I was, we had computer access but webcams weren't alllowed for some reason. I always appreciated new music and reading material. Downtime is precious there, and I always liked having good tunes to listen to and magazines to read. Books too.

As for goodies, don't overdo it. We ended up with a "grab" box of all the surplus that guys had received. It was appreciated, but everybody got so much...

[AmericanGirl]

I guess it depends where they are, I have troops that request snacks and some that want things that are distractions...

[Rusty24]

chutter hit it on the head. Some places allow the cams some dont. Send it anyway, worst case scenario he has to wait until he returns to use it. Music is another thing that I love and always had near. Magazines that are not available taht he may read and books that he may enjoy. Not war books because he is seeing enough of that now, something to move his train of thought.

Looks like AG has some great ideas with the theme packages .... maybe mix and match????

[armyinfmom63]

Thanks for the ideas. Not sending any goodies other then beef jerkey, he can't get enough of it. But decided on movies, music or new computer game. Most of his music got ripped off after he left, his roomie was supposed to send it to him with other things and didn't. And he loves his music. But the way he talked when he called Christmas, he really hasn't had much time off to do anything but sleep and back at it. And with our time difference, we probably wouldn't be able to get together often enough to use a cam anyway. Thanks for all the input, it did help!!

[armyinfmom63]

He got the computer game. Carabals(sp)' Dangerous Hunt 2. That is what he wanted. After I bought it, and seen what it was I wanted to play it, but don't have a PS2. Oh Well. He was happy with it, so that is what matters...Thanks for all the input.
Unfortunatly, (lol and not) he got pics from home ect.