Question for Military Spouses/Parents - What are some good care package ideas to send to a deployed spouse?

My hubby is in Iraq and I'm looking for some good ideas. We also have a young son.Question for Military Spouses/Parents - What are some good care package ideas to send to a deployed spouse?
My husband and I are on deployment number 3, so I have sent PLENTY of care packages. He gets one every week. And believe me, ideas run short when u send that many. BUT, every care packages includes mission munchies (prepackaged food that can stand the heat and doesnt take up much space), personal hygiene items (some dont have a PX, and even if they do they may not have preferred items), boredom busters (usually PC or Xbox games), and any equipment/uniforms items that he has requested. I also try to include heat and eat type items, like a new product with precooked chicken that u just heat up (found with the tuna I believe), and rice that is already cooked. My husband has been on missions before that they had no cooks and only had MREs, or only got 1 hot meal a day and MREs for lunch. Eating MREs every day get old, so when he has food from home, then it sure helps! Every once in a while, I also include big packs of cookies (oreos and strawberry fig newtons are always a hit) so he can share with his roommate and others. And photos, with magnetic clips so he can hang the pics on the walls of his ';room'; (a CHU).





Thats just a few ideas, but IM me or email anytime with more questions!Question for Military Spouses/Parents - What are some good care package ideas to send to a deployed spouse?
Coolest thing I got on a deployment care package was a bottle of YooHoo. Also, you shouldn't have to worry about sending necessities, those are already taken care of. Send some good stuff: magazines, monopoly, risk, and corned beef hash!





And if he smokes, send some fresh cigarettes. The ones over there are extremely stale.
have your son make little pictures for your husband. if he is still a baby make small 'finger paint' handprints every month and send them to him so he can keep track of how big his son is getting. dvd home videos of you and your son talking to him (telling him that you love him and how much you are looking forward to him coming home)


videos of things like a day at the playground or park feeding ducks may seem like simple things...but they are things that he isnt able to be there for..... making videos of these times helps make him feel like he is still a part of the everyday life at home.


bake a dozen cookies and video record your son decorating them. then wrap the cookies up and mail them to him with the video. include a letter from you telling him how proud you are of him.


take LOTS of pictures and print them out and mail them. when I was in Iraq I had a ziplock bag with pictures of my loved ones inside of my helmet...that way no matter where I was.... I always had a part of them with me.
i always send food in the care package. he always asks for razors as well. i send some hygiene products as well. he likes magazines and dvds.i burn him cds as well. i also sent him bed sheets and i washed them here and i put fabric softner sheets in between the sheets and he liked that cause it smelt fresh and like home. it really is the little things they miss. he was so happy when i sent him bbq sunflower seeds.i also sent him a little stuffed dog that he sleeps with. oh i have a good idea you can go to biuld a bear and make hima teddy bear from you and his son and then they have this little thing where you can record a 30 second message and then they put it in the bears paw and your hubby can listen to your voices whenever he wants. i dont know how old your son is but even the little gurgeling noises would be great to him. you cant imagine how many grown men sleep with teddy bears over there.my prayers and thoughts are with u and your hubby.
Sending favorite sodas (in a Pringles tube so it doesn't break) is nice because treats are limited. Sending toys like Nerf footballs or frisbees, hackisacks or squirt guns (send at least two, they're a favorite) helps break up the monotony.





Send babywipes...or better yet, Hoo-aahs http://www.hooahhs.com/ so they can freshen up.





Anything that says ';home'; is appreciated. You can print out pictures on magnetic paper (available at Staples) and they can stick them up to any metal object...a nice reminder.





Any of those ';we print your picture on stuff'; places can make a transfer...and you can put one on a pillow case for your hubby to ';sleep with'; you guys at night.





Powdered drink mixes are popular, because not all the potable water tastes good, and they need to stay hydrated.





Mostly, send letters, and pictures and recordings if you can. Send anything that says, ';we love you, we miss you, and we're here for you when you come home.'; Send a card with your son's handprints and lip prints from you.





DO NOT send any worries or complaints. If the water heater goes out, get someone to fix it and don't tell him. If you or your son get a cold, don't tell him...you are fine, everyone is fine, and your only complaint is that you miss him. Get it? He doesn't need any drama or stress.





Good luck, and thank you, your husband and your son for your sacrifice.
i know this sounds silly, but I sent my hubby nice bed sheets, and even an ';eggcrate'; for his bed. Also a big fluffy towel. It made him miss home a little less.


Also, keep him stocked up on his favorite snacks. A full belly is a happy belly :)


Also, when it comes closer for his redeployment or R%26amp;R, send him a pair of thong panties to get him more excited to get home he he he
No candies, chocolates, etc. It's a melted mess by the time it gets there.





A buddy Marine who came back last month told me that getting magizines, bottled water and a simple photo of the sender meant alot. A letter of appreciation also goes a lonnnnnnnnng way.