Holiday Hero: Care Package Ideas for your Deployed Servicemember

There are few things in this world that knocks the breath out of me more than the knowledge that I will one day have to survive a long period of time without hugging Matt.  It's a reality of this life that everyone who cares for someone in uniform has to come to terms with - and we all have our coping mechanisms.  Most just don't think about it.  Alas, I'm not a fan of denial, and I have always been one to over plan for the future - which, I believe, will be an advantage for us some day.  Thus, since Matt took command, I've spent times when I miss him perusing the internet in search of ideas shared by the experienced military spouses I've come to idolize.  I hide them away on my Army Strong Pinterest board, or amongst my dozens of Pages documents to turn to when times get tough.

For the most part, this is my only crutch to lean on.  I haven't exactly gotten much guidance on how to adapt to this crazy, roller-coaster world, and the fact that Matt and I aren't married eliminates the majority of potential mentorship via degrading looks and the eye roll.  So much for that whole "Army Family" concept?  No.  Actually, not no - but HELL NO.  Through the ups and downs of Matt's current position, we are both taking notes on how we can improve upon our roles in the future, and I have very solidly established my number one priority for the rest of time I spend in love with this soldier - I WILL impart everything I learn.  I WILL help those young wives, girlfriends, fiancees, moms, sisters, and whatever men happen to want assistance as well (despite how they never need help or directions, etc).

ESPECIALLY those who are experiencing their first holiday season away from their loved one.  ESPECIALLY when the majority of the internet rewards your google search with a "Click here to donate $20 for a cheaply packaged, half-assed effort at a holiday gift basket for a deployed soldier!"

Eh-eh.  Your servicemember deserves a personalized, lovingly wrapped, peppermint-scented bundle of holiday cheer.  So, I'm sharing the list I've been keeping under my wing for such a circumstance for myself in the future, established upon research, brainstorms, and personal experiences of holiday care packages to friends in the past.

 

 Holiday Care Package Ideas

DECORATIONS:
    Stocking - personalized (officers can provide stockings for people on their staff)
    Mini-tree w/ included lights (careful about the electricity - you CAN send batteries, just don’t list it on the items when you take it to the post office ;P)
    Yarn/Tape to make a “christmas tree” on the wall, and paper baubles
    Santa hats, reindeer antlers, etc
    A CD of holiday music
    For Officers/Leadership roles: small, cheap, wrapped gifts they can play dirty santa with their soldiers
    Holiday-Scented Candles

   
FOOD:
    Holiday Meal-In-A-Can (non perishables - Spam, Black-eyed peas, Green beans, Cranberry Sauce, Dried Mashed Potatoes, Hot Chocolate, etc.)
    Cake-in-a-jar (lots of recipes for these - make sure it’s air tight) - I think this works for Pie too
    Holiday Candy (of course) - I’ve seen a box that was themed “Blue Without You” with all kinds of blue colored candy
    Beef Jerky, all sorts of flavors. And more beef jerky. (Holiday-flavored beff jerky?)
    Gatorade/Powerade powder packets
    Homemade cookies/treats - in vaccuum seal baggies so they’re still fresh when they get there
    Coffee w/ Holiday-themed creamer (make sure it’s in an air-tight container)

ENTERTAINMENT:
    Water-proof playing cards (more resistant to sweat - gross, but necessary)
    DVDs, puzzles, board games, and books are often provided through Adopt-A-Soldier programs, but if your soldier has a favorite, send it! (Access to electronics like TVs and DVD players depend on your soldier’s location/MOS) -- I’ve heard complete seasons of light-hearted comedy TV series are a big hit for office-focused jobs

ALWAYS NEEDED:
    Duct tape - army green and digi camo are available in military outposts and at office depot, but fun stuff to decorate probably wouldn’t be frowned upon
    Chewing Gum
    Sun Block
    Sun glasses
    Baby Wipes - sometimes its the only shower they get
    Toothpaste, Mouthwash
    Eyedrops (to assist in getting sand out)
    Easy-access medical supplies (Tums, Motrin, Band-Aids, Sanitizer/Antibiotic Ointment, etc.)
    Five-hour energy or similar energy provisions
    Personal Fan and/or hand/feet warmers

DO NOT SEND:
    Alcohol (I’ve heard of people putting alcohol in travel hygiene bottles, but fact of the matter is, they get into TONS of trouble if they get caught drinking over there - so I don’t recommend it.)
    Porn (it’s illegal over there)
    Fireworks (they get plenty already, trust me)
    Big, expensive, shiny gifts - What Matt’s parents did when he was there for Christmas in 2010, is they ordered the gifts early, took pictures of what they got him, and sent him the pictures all wrapped up in a box to open on Skype Christmas morning.  If you want to send him something he needs or something small and cutesy, go for it, and keep the good gift for when he comes home.

FUN THEMES:
    25 days of Christmas - I’ve seen someone take a small door organizer and theme it by stuffing it with small gifts and labeling each pocket for the 25 Days of Christmas (or the 12 days - whatever)

PUT EVERYTHING in plastic baggies!!  Use Flat-Rate shipping boxes if you can!  Baked goods should go in Vaccuum seal baggies!
WARNINGS: Chocolate will probably melt, so make sure it’s in a baggy by itself if you use it. Soda also has the risk of exploding from extreme heat/cold, so stick to plastic bottles.
REMEMBER: Holidays aren’t just a number on the calendar.  Give your soldier the best Christmas you can over there, then have another one when he or she gets home.  One of the best parts of this life is that you can have as many holidays a year you want.  And if you have kids, how stoked will they be that they get to have Christmas twice??

And of course, to get it there on time: Check the post-it-by deadlines

Happy Holidays!!


SOURCES/OTHER IDEAS:
USAA
US Air Force
SpouseBuzz.com (military spouse network)
My Army Strong Pinterest Board - for other ideas on making lemonade out of the Military Life