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