Hi all! I am new to this web site today let alone this forum. So this is my very first time posting. I'll be honest I skipped the introduction part and moved on to this because it pertained so much to my questions. I have read several other threads and so much seems to be in conflict so before I waste any money on things that cant be used I decided to give you all a chance to give me good ideas. I am doing this as a family project with my girls. I am a 27 year old stay at home mom of two little ones, married for almost 7 years, and decided today that I needed something more to teach my little ones, so giving is number one on my list. I have always respected them so much for what they are doing. I think I am here and my girls are here enjoying our freedom because they are there. So today I got two names of two different groups of men in Iraq with the marines. I plan on sending each at least two boxes one hygiene the other food stuffs etc. But both were not very forthcoming in the things they like and need, or what they are allowed to have. Only that there were 6 men in each contact name. I scanned over other suggestions and wanted to make sure my lists are relatively ok and what others would be sending, any feedback you could give me would be great! We plan on sending in the hygiene boxes- Toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, tissues, paper, pens, qtips, magazines, puzzle books, cards, dice, squirt guns, frisbees, balls. The others would be things like-honey buns, nuts, gum, hard candy, canned tuna & chicken, portable drink mixes, granola bars, cuponoodles, dried fruit, crackers, peanut butter(before it gets too warm), microwave popcorn, gummy snacks, slim jims, hard candy, canned fruit cups, spices for MREs, oatmeal, sunflower seeds, trail mix, etc. I am hoping that this is pretty normal since I have bought several things already. I can see how much everyone else loves to send and obviously sends frequently but are these normal things to send, anything a sending faux pas? I would really appreciate any sort of help and advice on this before the boxes go out some time next week..... I really appreciate it.  I just know they are worth the time to make sure these may be some of the things they have been talking about! Thanks so much for anything you can do to help out this first timer!

Amy Mommy of Gabriella 4  and Carey 2 wife to Greg!

 Hi and welcome.  I consider myself to still be new too.  The only thing jumping out at me from your list is...hand sanitizers are usually flammable (but not all).  Oh, and if the gum is mint flavored, you might be careful with what you send it with...might make those honey buns minty.  Yuk!  And bag anything that is liquid or might leak if punctured or smashed.  Don't forget envelopes for the paper and pens!  And (finally) no pork products allowed (I think slim jims are beef).  Send drawings that your kids have done.

Have fun!  It makes you feel so good to send letters and packages. 

Anna S 

Fairy,

Hi.  We aren't allowed by the USPS restrictions to send anything that is flammable, explosive, corrosive, toxic, etc., and one person on the forum just had a package returned to her with a note that hand sanitizer liquid and gel are flammable and not allowed.  You might get away with the antibacterial hand wipes, though.  We can't send aerosol cans because they are either/and explosive/flammable.

Gran

I think your list is GREAT!  Other than Gran and Anna's good advice, you've got some great boxes going out!!!  They're going to love them!!!! 

If sending a jar of peanutbutter, I might include some plastic knives for spreading, and maybe even some small paper plates?  Plastic forks aren't a bad idea either, for the tuna, spoons for the oatmeal, fruit cups and cup-o-noodle.  Speaking of oatmeal, a lot of times they don't have bowls, so maybe some of those disposable gladware? 

I hope you and the kids have fun packing!!!  One other tip-make a list of what you're putting in the box as you pack-you can add or cross off as you figure out what fits.  Then you can seal it up and still be able to fill out the customs form knowing you're not forgetting anything.