Care Packages

[BJL_Sweetheart1109]

This actually isn't for the SO. I send him care packages all the time. Often once a month, but he's just a couple of states away so it's not too difficult. But I want to send a care package to his bff. He's in for a bit right now, but will be returning to Iraq for quite a few months. (not his first deployment, but first to Iraq and will probably total 12 months) Well he's kind of down about it all, he's suppose to be out of the Army by now, but his tour was extended so he's just really ready to be home; his gf broke up with him a day before he was due to come home (don't even get me started on this...); and he was looking forward to seeing my SO (his bff, didn't get to see him right before he deployed either) this week, but he wasn't able to make it in.

But I'm wondering what I should send and what is allowed.

I'm figuring some of his fave snacks (mostly the same stuff as my SO ) Beef jerky and some chips from but what else? Any ideas would be GREATLY GREATLY GREATLY appreciated!

[Rach321]

I actually stopped at a table the Vets club had set up at my university a few weeks ago. They were collecting donations to send to one of their buddies still overseas. I asked them what are things that girlfriends/family/friends usually don't think of to send.

One guy immediately said "toilet paper" haha! In the travel section, you can usually find little rolls of charmin tissue. But they all said that toiletries are really important. Travel sizes are best- deoderant, shave cream, soap, shampoo- Stuff that's better than whatever they are issued.

My SO is in Afghanistan right now. I have no idea where he is, but they always have a ridculous number of snacks. Every time I talk to him, he's eating something different. Chocolate milk, nuts, Doritos, Mountain Dew. It was his plan to get in shape while he's over there- not so sure how well that's going! So I would just find out what his favorite things are (maybe your SO knows?) and try to send that???

[BJL_Sweetheart1109]

Thanks Rach!! Maybe I'll fill the box with more toiletries and just a few of his favorite snacks. I knew they get loads of snacks from every where but I wanted to limit the amount of items he'd have to carry around. I know they make them pack enough things as it is, he doesn't need more stuff to try and pack up to come home. I figured snacks were an obvious choice, they get them, and then devour them. I'll check out the travel sized toiletries soon.

[Rach321]

I agree! Snacks are great! Just wanted to give you some more ideas for things. Be careful of sending any chocolate or things that would melt... I try to think of healthier things to send, like nuts and jerky, just because that's what my bf likes best. I have a big pile of things to send... if he'd just remember to send me his address! ha!

[Julia]

ok. so. the flat rate boxes are great for sending pacages over seas. just saying. i send them once or twice a month and my SO always enjoys it when i send like yoyos and stuff that he can use when hes not doing anything (a lot of the time). hmm.. well.. im not to sure what else. ryan tells me weird stuff all the time, so ask your SO what he likes.

[BJL_Sweetheart1109]

I have a pack of flat rate boxes! I ordered a kit, got a roll of packaging tape too. I also have a few of the APO/FPO boxes. I think it's suppose to be a little bit cheaper to send them in the APO/FPO boxes if I understood correctly.

[Gurl]

Its about 11 dollars to send the big flat rate box to an apo/fpo. I send one about every 3 months or so... Need to check my supply LOL

[BJL_Sweetheart1109]

oh goodness 11 dollars?! That's much cheaper than what my SO ends up getting! lol It always seems like its just as much or more to SEND the package as it is to put it together. REALLLY frustrating when you're in college, barely working part-time, and on a fixed fixed fixed budget.

What do all of you pay on average to send packages? I'm pretty sure I use flat-rate but sometimes after I leave the post office I wonder if I accidentally picked up just the priority mail box. Last time I went it was 15 or higher....it was a fairly heavy package since I was sending a bunch of boxed meals [he can't/doesn't cook] but GEEZ! I don't think I spent that much on the items actually going into the package. :P

[Gurl]

LOL i hate it when it costs more the send something than it did to purchase. I've never paid more than 15 using flat rate, even within the states to a normal address. I think flat rate Large boxes can send up to 75 lbs for that price. What I suggest is go to the USPS web site and go to their shopping area. You can get multiples of 10 boxes sent to your home for free. You could add tape or anything else you see you might need, but I usually pick tape and bubble wrap up in dollar stores or walmart.
Here is the link for the flat rate area : https://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/sto...egory=10000002
From the large flat rate box info:

1. Can be used for Domestic Priority Mail ($14.50) and International Priority Mail ($33.95 to Canada and Mexico; $55.95 to all other countries, 20 lb weight limit applies)
2. Only $12.50 when used to send to APO/FPO addresses
3. Commercial prices are available for postage paid through Click-N-Ship service at usps.com, authorized PC Postage vendors, and other authorized postage payment methods. The Domestic Commercial Base price is $13.95, APO/FPO is $11.95.

Looks like the APO price went up a buck, but that's cool. At least they do give a small break to those sending pacakges to our military. Hope this helps some

[ErinKristine]

Don't forget the customs form, put the address on the form and somewhere inside the box so if the package is damaged they can repack it and send it on its way. I know there are a few restrictions on what can be sent, the only thing that comes to mind right now is no pig products. Toiletries are definitely a good idea, just don't send shaving cream because that will most likely explode and wreck the package. My cousin likes when we send him underwear (weird I know).

[Gurl]

I keep a stack of customs forms so I can fill them out before I leave the house. I recommend asking for some extras for just that purpose.

Some other restrictions you might run into tend to include pornography and other erotic/sensual items/letters. I can't think of anything else but the pig products....

I DO recommend doing a google search on the country you are sending stuff to (even if its an apo address) and you can usually find a list of restrictions. I think I literally searched Kuwait restrictions.

[BJL_Sweetheart1109]

Thanks. So I found this....
https://www.apobox.com/faq_reg.php/#1 Great info about APO/FPO address and how to send.

And this one.
https://www.bootsonground.com/usps-shipping-faq.htm

and a list of what not to send.
https://www.bootsonground.com/soldie...cted-items.htm

Thanks for all the replies!

[kissoflife61]

Don't know if you've sent it yet or not, but I was thinking that crossword puzzles or sudokus would be nice to put in there...