Feature Articles
Care package tips for loved ones overseas
Starla L. Ivey, PhD, Building Strong Families; Reviewed by Mary Jo Williams, 4-H Associate State Specialist/Leadership Development and Lucy Schrader, Building Strong Families Program Coordinator, College of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri Extension
When family members are separated, care packages and cards can
be a reminder that others are thinking of them. This article gives
some packing and mailing tips and ideas of what to send. Please
see the references for more specific information.
Packing and mailing tips:
- Instead of using styrofoam packing peanuts (which are hard to get rid of), use items that can be reused as packing materials such as plastic grocery bags, plastic zipper-type bags, newspapers, small tissue packages.
- Mail toiletries separate from food items; otherwise food ends up tasting like deodorant.
- If sending batteries, ship them in new and unopened packages for the quickest and safest arrival. If sending battery-operated gadgets (for example, flash lights or games), remove the batteries prior to shipping, so that the batteries do not corrode in the item.
- Use sturdy cardboard boxes to ship your items. Avoid using recycled boxes that may be damaged, torn, or punctured. Use clear packing tape to seal all openings of the box. Avoid masking tape, scotch tape or duct tape to seal closures.
- For addresses and labels use large, block print – use a dark permanent magic marker to write with if possible. Cover the address with clear packing tape to avoid smearing or illegible addresses in case of contact with moisture or water.
- On the address label, include the full name of the person you are sending mail to (with or without rank designation), the unit address, the APO (Army Post Office) address, the nine-digit zip code and a return address.
- Keep package sizes small (under 5 pounds in weight). Larger packages take a longer time to be delivered and are hard to carry around.
- Packages are taking between 21-28 days to arrive and even longer during major U.S. holidays. See the United States Postal Service Web site for more information on mailing packages to our troops: http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/welcome.htm.
- The United States Postal Service will send free boxes, packing
materials, tape and mailing labels for care packages to be sent
to military family members deployed to Iraq. Call 1-800-610-8734
and press one for English or two for Spanish, then press three
to reach an operator.
Shopping tips:
- When selecting food items to send, remember that in some locations the heat is intense. For example, gum can stick to the foil wrapper in hot weather.
- Small packages of individually wrapped snacks are portable and stay fresher longer.
- Can openers can be hard to come by – choose flip-top lids
on canned products when possible.
Examples of items to ship in care packages
Toiletries and personal care items:
- baby wipes/cleansing cloths
- toothpaste/toothbrushes
- shampoo, deodorant, lotion
- antibacterial soap, hand sanitizer
- liquid body wash
- eyeglass wipes, eyeglass case
- sunblock, aloe vera
- throat lozenges, cough drops
- lip balm
- aspirin, pain relievers
- feminine hygiene products for military women
- jock itch spray, foot powder
- antifungal/athlete’s foot products
Food and drink items:
- coffee, tea, hot cocoa mix, pre-sweetened drink mixes, Gatorade powder
- hard candy, cookies, homemade cookies, candy bars, gum, mints
- small bags of individually wrapped snacks - nuts, trail mix, power bars, protein bars, breakfast bars, pop tarts, granola bars
- chips or crackers
- peanut butter
Fun stuff:
- frisbee, nerf football, hacky sack
- decks of cards
- hand-held games
- music cds, video game cds for laptop computers
Communication items:
- envelopes, small pads of paper
- pre-addressed labels and/or envelopes notebooks (a size they can keep in a pocket and keep dry)
- single-use camera
Mailing Restrictions: each country and even each mailing zip
code within those countries have different restrictions for what
is allowed to be mailed to that country.
University of Missouri Extension does not endorse specific brands of products, vendors, or manufacturers.
References:
Field, S., November 15, 2004. Deadlines near
for sending troops holiday packages, Army Public Affairs - Army News Service, web article
http://www.army.mil/news/
Marine Parents Web site, www.MarineParents.com
Military Postal Service Web site, http://hqdainet.army.mil/mpsa/
United Stated Postal Service Web site, www.usps.com
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Last update: Monday, December 14, 2009
