One of the most difficult things to do when sending a care package is figuring out exactly what to send. After some research and personal experience I've made a list of things that you can send in your care package that any soldier would appreciate. Send a box with any of the following items:
- Socks
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Underwear
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Deodorant
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Soap
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Body Wash
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Mouth Wash
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Razors
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Shaving Cream
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Foot Powder
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Shampoo & Conditioner
- After Shave Lotion
Wipes (personal, baby, or clorox)
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Chapstick
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Glade Stick-Ups
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Small Bottle of Febreeze
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Small Battery Operated Fan
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A Good Sheet Set
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Fluffy Towel
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Soft Toilet Paper (they only get the hard stuff)
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Eye Drops
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Stack of Dixie Cups
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Dryer Sheets (place a few in a zip-lock bag)
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Stain Remover Stick
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Batteries (AA & D)
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CD/DVD Disk Cleaning Kit
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Stamps, Paper, Envelopes
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Eyeglass Cleaner Wipes
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Koozies
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Ink Pens
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Word Puzzle Books
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Icy/Hot patches (he'll really thank you for those)
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Underwear Hand Warmers
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Inflatable Seat Cushions
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Shoe Laces (for gym shoes & boots)
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Brown t-shirts
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Newspapers
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Magazines
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Hand-Held Battery Operated Game (like gameboy or psp)
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Microwaveable Plates and Bowls
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Paper Plates
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Vitamins
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Pringles Chips
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Flavored Coffee Creamer (individual packets)
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Mrs. Dash Spices (they only get pepper & salt so anything different is heaven)
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Powdered Crystal Light
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Instant Coffee
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Country Time Lemonade Mix
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Tea Bags
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Powdered Hot Chocolate
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Gatorade Powdered (send a jug to mix it)
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Salsa and Chips
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Tuna (send the “fresh pouch” variety)
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Torengo Tortilla Chips
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Triscuits or Ritz Crackers
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Bags of Chips (single servings)
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Cookies (store bought or homemade)
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Graham Crackers
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Goldfish Crackers
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Pretzels
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Gardetto's
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Snack Mixes (like Chex Mix etc.)
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Rice Krispie Treats
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Applesauce
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Raisins
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Pop Tarts
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Power Bars
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Cereal Bars (Granola etc.)
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Instant Oatmeal or Instant Grits
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Lunchables (variety that does not require refrigeration)
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Nuts (any kind)
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Trail Mix
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Bowl Appetite Dinners
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Little Debbie Snack Cakes
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Bubble Gum
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Licorice
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Peanut M&M's (try to send candy that can stay hard & not melt)
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Soups (that require you to only add hot water)
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Microwave Popcorn
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Ramen Noodles
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Olives or Pickles (bubble wrap these items before packing)
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Campbell's Chunky Soup
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Small Microwave dinners in Cups
Packing some of these items will truly make any soldier's day. You can send other items also that are small and within policy. This list is just a really good idea of what goes into the perfect care package. Be sure to make the package personal. Add his favorites of the list of items and always write a letter to add to the package.
Most soldiers share food so always pack more than enough when it comes to snacks. The best way to ship the care package is by using priority flat rate mail boxes from the post office. Regular boxes are okay but priority boxes get there faster and are delivered first. The perfect care package is sent in a priority box with abundant must have items all packed with love.
