At my pre-school, one of the parents (a mom) just left to go to Afghanistan. She is leaving her six-month old baby girl behind with her husband and will be gone until March! I know there are many military men and women who leave their families behind to serve overseas, but that one just hit me. I can't imagine leaving a little baby behind. To me, that is serious sacrifice. And she has SUCH a positive attitude about it! We have such amazing people defending our country.

Anyway, I'm going to have my pre-K group work on a care package to send her. Of course they will write letters and draw pictures, but I want to put in some other goodies as well.

What kinds of things do our troops REALLY like to receive in care packages?

Pictures I would imagine to be a big thing, I can only assume they would love to look at a constant reminder of home while they are deployed.

saving cream an razors. hard candies, female stuff (mark it for a female) gum, tissues, pretty much anything you use a lot. I sent some over to my brother an my cousins, they loved the stuff. really helped them out. of course some bases offer that stuff so its hard to say. but what you are doing is going to really touch someone.

anysoldier.com is a really good site for this information. They post letters from the troops requesting what they need and want people to send. Most request hygeine items and dvds/cds.

They're pretty much able to get the basics, so I wouldn't worry about that. When my best friend was in Iraq, I sent him fun things that would cheer him up...and a few "luxury items", you know...his favorite cookies, paperbacks, anything that would make his nap/sleep time more cozy (comfy socks, aromatherapy lotion, a soft pillowcase), flavored coffee, hand sanitizer, that type of stuff.

Porn.....You asked... I am telling you. (I served in the military...I know)

Don't matter if they are male or female...everyone wants a taste of home...

Seriously.....

Anything...that would make them think of walking into a conveniece store..will bring a smile of gratitude.

But, if you are too tight @ssed to send the latest issue of Hustler...send a package of beef jerky (our local Wal-Marts NEVER have jerky cause they are being sent to our guys and gals so I can't really complain about our jerky shortage)...I felt bad the last time I wrestled away a package of jerky from a USO lady.

My friend's son did a tour in Iraq and in Afganistan early in the war...these were some favorites:
powdered drink mix straws for the water!
CLEAN, DRY SOCKS!
those ready to eat tuna and cracker lunches
hard candies at this time of year (no chocolate stuff in summer!)

Aroma therapy lotion?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!

I hope like hell when you said "he"...you meant "she"

Cause if not..you set him up to get REALLY screwed with by his buddies.....(I ...among others were completely merciless)

This was a huge problem in the Middle East - it rarely got through and was big trouble if found. Maybe that's not true in all circumstances, but that's the report I got from same friend's son.

Hide it in a Koran....it will make it through...

Sure it is trouble...

but, when I was in boot camp and got a joint sent in tha bible....it made me very happy!

Was it risky?...yes

Was it worth it?..it is a happy memory that no religion or govt can take from me. WAY better than getting the latest issue of Home and Gardens magazine.......

I am writing to a few people in the armed forces presently over there. I have not sent anything this time around,as I can bearly at this point in time help out people I know here who are in need.
However during Desert Storm I had 6 pen pals over there and I became close (platonic) with 2 of them. They enjoyed videos that now days =dvds.T-hirts,socks,magazines or books,newspapers from back here in the states,homemade cookies was a big hit.
Think your putting a care pack together is thoughtful of you and to put the time in to asking others opinions of what is appreciated.
KUDOOS to you.

I'm giving you the benefit of the expertise! I just had hear-say :)
Luv ya, babe!

i've had a few friends over there. one is coming home this week actually . what they wanted most were socks, dvds, duct tape and tampons for gunshot wounds. one of my buddies got to test that out on his leg. he crammed a few in there, the bleeding slowed and his leg smelled like a meadow in springtime .

Way Way back in the day, some folks I knew served in Saudi Arabia, at a hospital. Onr day a new MRI machine arrived on the docks.
The Saudi's took it completely apart, serching for
Alcohol, Porn and Drugs.
The MRI was never able to be used in it's full capacity, because after the inspection, it was re-assembled by the policement who took it apart. Not technicians that knew what they were doing, but by the police. It never did work right.
But Praise Allah, there was no Alcohol, Porn or Drugs

I used to send care packages to kids in africa. My mom did it and so I helped her. They needed basics like soap and toothpaste etc.

Troops???? Im thinking they would like anything that would be normal for them. Im not sure what the army gives out but maybe chocolate, cigs, books, magazines, socks, underwear, ?????

Geeeeeeeeez this is hard.......like xmas and trying to figure out what to give your dad???

In all honesty, according to a few buddies of mine, whatever reminds them of home. One of my best friends families sent him a package of complete junk food you would find in a convience store, and then they hit the local scene and sent him a CD of a local band live at a show. Appearently that CD was a big hit when they were able to listen to it.

Thanks for all the great ideas. Keep 'em coming!

I also think I am going to take some pictures of her baby girl and scrapbook a little 5" x 7" album for her. I'm not the best scrapper, but I think she'll just be happy to have pics of her baby.

i know they love gatorade packages, and lots of canned foods such as tuna and those little weiners in a can. its da bomb digity over there. my friend who was a soldier told me little things like that they crave.

Diaper wipes, small box of sugar (with a platic storage baggie, candy, magazines, feminine products, chips, non-melting snacks, instant coffee, hygiene products, chapstick, mosturizer/sunscreen

Good advice