| Sending a care package to your loved one | | | | box of chocolates may wait onboard a ship in |
| deployed overseas seems so easy, doesn't it? | | | | the Persian Gulf before being delivered to |
| You just box up some cookies, attach a sweet | | | | your spouse -- if you don't want that package |
| card, and it's ready to go, right?If only it | | | | to be a big, melted, gooey mess, don't send |
| were that easy.Sending mail to ships/units | | | | chocolate (or anything else that can |
| overseas is tricky for many reasons (slow | | | | melt).Keep it Small:Keep in mind your loved |
| processing, mail limitations, etc.) but one | | | | one may not have much personal space in his |
| of the most confounding is this: unless | | | | overseas accommodations. Chances are good he |
| you've been deployed yourself, it's hard to | | | | has no place to store the giant smiley face |
| know exactly what a Soldier or Sailor might | | | | pinata the kids made for him, and it will end |
| want.After two deployments (and a picky | | | | up being a burden rather than a pleasure. |
| husband), here's what I've learned about | | | | Things that can be stored easily (small |
| military care packages.Try Not to | | | | drawings and pictures, travel game sets) and |
| Embarrass:You might think sending a life-size | | | | things that can be consumed (food, toiletry |
| portrait of your toy poodle dressed in a | | | | items) rate high on most Soldier's and |
| ballet skirt is hilarious, but chances are | | | | Sailor's lists.Keep it Personal:Remember your |
| your husband won't be laughing when he has to | | | | loved one has not been home for a really long |
| carry the cumbersome "pooch" back to his room | | | | time -- what might seem silly or boring to |
| and past all his friends. You never know | | | | you (an audio tape of the children fighting |
| where your spouse will open his package, or | | | | over the Nintendo) will be like a little |
| whom he'll be with. If you think he'll be | | | | piece of home for your spouse. Send things to |
| humiliated for anyone to know you sent him | | | | remind your Soldier/Sailor of the things he |
| pink boxer shorts, either don't send them or | | | | loves (his children, family, favorite foods, |
| give him a heads up about the contents of the | | | | taped reruns of his favorite TV shows).Make |
| box. Similarly, if you're sending something | | | | it Fun:Deployed Soldiers and Sailors are |
| that might embarrass YOU (uhmmm....pictures), | | | | working almost non-stop and with little new |
| make sure you don't surprise your beloved, or | | | | scenery or change of pace. They don't have |
| he might unknowingly cast your photos to a | | | | the option to go to Barnes and Noble for |
| group of nosey friends peering over his | | | | awhile to "get out" and see something new. So |
| shoulder as he opens the box.Don't Douse the | | | | bring the fun and the new to them. My husband |
| Box/Envelope with Perfume:Women think this is | | | | always likes getting DVDs, CDs, books, and |
| wonderful, to spray perfume all over a man's | | | | sports magazines. He's also pointed out that |
| gift or letter. And honestly, our men | | | | it is hard to get a "real" American newspaper |
| probably like to receive the smelly treasures | | | | when he is deployed, so the local paper from |
| too. But when your husband has to carry that | | | | home is always appreciated (especially the |
| letter through three hallways and up four | | | | Sports section). Remember these Soldiers and |
| ladders back to his room, he may not be | | | | Sailors are living without many of the |
| thrilled dragging a cloud of feminine perfume | | | | comforts and conveniences of home. Therefore, |
| behind him. Remember, the military is | | | | mail call is a welcomed opportunity to |
| notorious for issuing its members "call | | | | receive something new and different to look |
| signs" or "nicknames" at their weakest, most | | | | at....things they can't get on the ship.Make |
| embarrassing moment. If you don't want your | | | | it Frequent:Mail Call can be the highlight of |
| husband to be called "Christian Dior" for the | | | | the day for any deployed man or woman. Even |
| rest of his career, go easy on the | | | | something as small as a crayon drawing from a |
| scents.Steer Clear of Chocolate:When you send | | | | two-year old can bring joy to your loved one! |
| something via an FPO address, you never know | | | | Make it a point to send something....even if |
| where it will wait in transit before it gets | | | | it's just a letter....as frequently as you |
| to its destination. Your carefully prepared | | | | can! |