Does anyone have any ideas? I have a wonderful friend who is there now. She is very special to me and I want to send her a package. She will be there for a year. She's only 20!

Her Mom suggested shampoo and conditioner and soap and candy that won't melt. I'm planning on picking her up a book as well. Any other ideas?

By Palmbchprincess on Wednesday, December 8, 2004 - 03:10 pm:

If sending shampoo and conditioner, try sending a 2 in 1. I've never sent anything for a female soldier, but maybe some hair detangler, because I'm sure their hair gets horrible knotty in the wind and sand! Anything non-perishable is good, a nice treat from home. If she has a CD player, some CDs are good, CD-RWs since they will likely be ruined after a bit. You can buy gift cards for the PX shops... I'll have to look up a link for you. Phone Cards, international ones. Tampons, because girls overseas have periods, too! Baby wipes, so she can "clean up" on the go. A lightweight pillow, sunscreen, bug spray. I know you aren't supposed to send batteries, but soldiers use them a lot. Disposable cameras, and a pre-paid mailer to mail them back. They get free letter mailing, but have to pay for packages. (Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, it's been a while!) Drink mixes, because water from the water buffaloes taste funny. HTH!

By Palmbchprincess on Wednesday, December 8, 2004 - 03:13 pm:

AAfes gift certificates

By Yjja123 on Wednesday, December 8, 2004 - 03:21 pm:

here is quite a few ideas:
hard candy chocolate slim jims cookies crackers trail mix chips gum breath mints dried fruit cereal bars instant coffee hot cocoa tea kool aid crystal light pudding cups peanut butter sunscreen chapstick insect repellant eye drops cold medicine advil toothbrushes toothpaste body wash shampoo conditioner dental floss mouthwash deoderant soap cotton balls qtips laundry soap hand sanitizer feminine products brush hair gel nail clippers nail file body powder kleenex nasal spray socks razers shave cream anibacterial wipes clorox wipes sand scarf frisbee beach toys nerf ball playing cards phone cards cds dvds books magazines water guns envelopes and paper sewing kits small mirror wash cloth towel flashlight disposable camera ziplock bags word puzzles board gmes etc...

By Tunnia on Wednesday, December 8, 2004 - 03:49 pm:

I was told at my American Legion Auxiliary meeting last night that the government isn't allowing any packages to be delivered to the troops in December. Something about security. You can ship in January though. If anyone knows differently then please feel free to post and correct me.

Here is a list of general items that were suggested for our Auxiliary to collect and send. HTH

-dvds, new and used
-books
-disposable cameras
-small hand-held games
-games for a group (board, card, etc)
-wool socks in green, tan, or black (greatly needed)
-sunglasses
-stationary
-phone cards (global units only)
-gum
-candy (no chocolate)
-nonperishable treats (ex Hickory Farms)
-sealed cheese dips
-crackers
-cookies
-drink mixes (coffees, teas, cocoa, powdered drink mixes)
-beef jerky
-sunflower seeds

By Mrsheidi on Wednesday, December 8, 2004 - 03:56 pm:

i heard that chapstick is a hot commodity and make sure the coffee is already ground up...really good coffee is also hard to come by.

By Eve on Wednesday, December 8, 2004 - 05:40 pm:

Wow! Thanks for the ideas! I'll check with her Mom to see if she can receive anything this month. I never would have thought to ask. Thank you, everyone.

By Breann on Wednesday, December 8, 2004 - 05:59 pm:

I haven't read all of the responses above, so I hope this isn't a duplicate!

What about some fun stationary from a scrapbook company. Include a glitter gel pen or something like that. She probably writes a lot of letters to friend and family and this would be a way to spice it up a little bit. A lot more fun for her than plain white paper and a black pen.

Just an idea!

By Imamommyx4 on Wednesday, December 8, 2004 - 11:37 pm:

A friend of ours that just came back in August said the best thing he got was food--canned meats and pastas and fruit that could just be opened and eaten from. The canned pasta he would sit in the window of the truck and warm up then open and eat. He hated the MRE's and said he loved the canned food.

So many of the items are great. He said they had received tons and tons of soap and shampoo that it was overflowing.

And calling cards. They can't get enough of those.

Just be careful when you are packing things to pack crushables in small boxes that will hold up inside of the bigger box being shipped. And put cleaners and shampoos or anything that potentially could leak inside of ziploc plastic bags.

Send your friend things you know she probably misses too. And don't forget to send pics.

By Insaneusmcwife on Thursday, December 9, 2004 - 10:17 am:

Tunnia,
I haven't heard anything about not being able to send packages. I work very close with my dh's unit as a KVC and I have not heard anything like that. Infact, they are going to be making extra runs to the other base so that they guys can get their packages.

Eve,
Maybe some body spray and lotions from bath and body. Theres no reason in down time she can't feel like a woman. You have gotten lots of great suggestions.

By Vicki on Thursday, December 9, 2004 - 12:20 pm:

They actually said on the Today show this morning that only packages from immediate family were being accepted right now. I am not sure how long that is going to go on, but that is what they said! Maybe you can put her mom as the return sender??

By Palmbchprincess on Thursday, December 9, 2004 - 01:10 pm:

I would send it anyway, and though it may be delayed more than usual, it will get to her. It takes quite a bit of time to get to the soldier, often being held in Kuwait or another "sorting" area.

By Insaneusmcwife on Thursday, December 9, 2004 - 06:10 pm:

I agree send it anyways and if you feel that you need to, I would put her mom as the return sender.