Suggestions for Care Package Items to Deployed Soldiers

 

Food

 

Jelly beans                                 Rice Krispie treats                 Altoids/mints                     Beef jerky/slim jims

Snack mixes                               Sunflower seeds                 Chewing gum                     Nuts                 

Coffee                                         Gatorade                                 Jaw breakers                 Cookies 

Pasta and sauce                            Canned food items             Soup mix                          Ziploc bags

Energy Bars                                     Hot cocoa mix                  Squeeze butter                  Pringles chips

Microwave popcorn                     Ramen noodles                  Macaroni & cheese          Olives, pickles, peppers

Cereal bars/granola bars             Little Debbie's snacks           M&M's (plain or peanut)  Spices, salt, pepper, seasoning salt

Smoked oysters and sardines      Individually-wrapped licorice                                      Microwaveable plates, bowls, paper plates                                              Microwave pasta that doesn't need refrigeration      

Hot Sauce (Tabasco, Red Devil, etc.) - tape lid shut and place in doubled zip-lock bags

Atomic Fireballs/Jolly Rancher hard candy Candies to pass out to local children

Powdered Energy/Electrolyte Replacement Drink Mix (Gatorade, etc.)

 

Personal Care

Deodorant                                  Shower to Shower body powder         Foot powder          Toothbrushes & toothpaste

Disposable shower towels      Lysol wipes/hand & face wipes          Inflatable pillow         Air fresheners (stick-ups, F'breeze) Hand warmers                          Inflatable seat cushions                      Razors                         Icy/hot patches 

Air activated heat wraps for sore muscles                                          Foot massager             Eye Wash/Drops (Visine, etc.) Vitamins 

 

To Pass the time

Disposable camera                         DVD's and CD's                         Koozies                                    Newspapers  Magazines                                      Long-distance phone cards     Journal or stationery                 Playing cards Dice                                                 Footbag/hacky-sack                 Dominoes                                 Board games  Ink pens                                               Word Puzzle books                     Paperback books                    Devotional books

AA and D batteries                         Canned air                                  Stress relief squeeze balls      Sewing kit   

 

Clothing

Shoe laces for gym shoes and boots              Brown t-shirts          Boot socks                 Underwear 

 

Survival

Pocket knife                     Leatherman tool                     Signal mirror

 

 

What Not to Send in a Care Package

 Anything that melts (if you just must send chocolate, send M&Ms)

Waterless Hand Cleaner/Sanitizer - generally makes mud, wipes are preferred

Flashlights - Everybody has one and never gets to use it due to visible light discipline restrictions

Compass - Everybody SHOULD already have one attached to their Load Bearing Vest/Harness

Sun Screen - already issued in mass quantities, drowning in the stuff

Liquor of any sort

Pornography of any sort