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Do's and Don'ts of Military Care Packages for Soldiers

Sending a care package to your loved onebox 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 sweetyour spouse -- if you don't want that package
card, and it's ready to go, right?If only itto be a big, melted, gooey mess, don't send
were that easy.Sending mail to ships/unitschocolate (or anything else that can
overseas is tricky for many reasons (slowmelt).Keep it Small:Keep in mind your loved
processing, mail limitations, etc.) but oneone may not have much personal space in his
of the most confounding is this: unlessoverseas accommodations. Chances are good he
you've been deployed yourself, it's hard tohas no place to store the giant smiley face
know exactly what a Soldier or Sailor mightpinata the kids made for him, and it will end
want.After two deployments (and a pickyup being a burden rather than a pleasure.
husband), here's what I've learned aboutThings that can be stored easily (small
military care packages.Try Not todrawings and pictures, travel game sets) and
Embarrass:You might think sending a life-sizethings that can be consumed (food, toiletry
portrait of your toy poodle dressed in aitems) rate high on most Soldier's and
ballet skirt is hilarious, but chances areSailor's lists.Keep it Personal:Remember your
your husband won't be laughing when he has toloved one has not been home for a really long
carry the cumbersome "pooch" back to his roomtime -- what might seem silly or boring to
and past all his friends. You never knowyou (an audio tape of the children fighting
where your spouse will open his package, orover the Nintendo) will be like a little
whom he'll be with. If you think he'll bepiece of home for your spouse. Send things to
humiliated for anyone to know you sent himremind your Soldier/Sailor of the things he
pink boxer shorts, either don't send them orloves (his children, family, favorite foods,
give him a heads up about the contents of thetaped reruns of his favorite TV shows).Make
box. Similarly, if you're sending somethingit 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, orscenery or change of pace. They don't have
he might unknowingly cast your photos to athe option to go to Barnes and Noble for
group of nosey friends peering over hisawhile to "get out" and see something new. So
shoulder as he opens the box.Don't Douse thebring the fun and the new to them. My husband
Box/Envelope with Perfume:Women think this isalways likes getting DVDs, CDs, books, and
wonderful, to spray perfume all over a man'ssports magazines. He's also pointed out that
gift or letter. And honestly, our menit is hard to get a "real" American newspaper
probably like to receive the smelly treasureswhen he is deployed, so the local paper from
too. But when your husband has to carry thathome is always appreciated (especially the
letter through three hallways and up fourSports section). Remember these Soldiers and
ladders back to his room, he may not beSailors are living without many of the
thrilled dragging a cloud of feminine perfumecomforts and conveniences of home. Therefore,
behind him. Remember, the military ismail call is a welcomed opportunity to
notorious for issuing its members "callreceive something new and different to look
signs" or "nicknames" at their weakest, mostat....things they can't get on the ship.Make
embarrassing moment. If you don't want yourit Frequent:Mail Call can be the highlight of
husband to be called "Christian Dior" for thethe day for any deployed man or woman. Even
rest of his career, go easy on thesomething as small as a crayon drawing from a
scents.Steer Clear of Chocolate:When you sendtwo-year old can bring joy to your loved one!
something via an FPO address, you never knowMake it a point to send something....even if
where it will wait in transit before it getsit's just a letter....as frequently as you
to its destination. Your carefully preparedcan!



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