~Hey Everyone,

The 4th of July will be upon us before we know it. I read on one of the forums that someone put together a package with all red, white and blue things!!! That's an awesome idea!!! Does anyone have any more fun suggests to help make the packages "a little something extra special"?

 

Thanks,

Shannon
 

Hi Shannon! 

I do the 4th of July care packages also. I read the other thread about red, white, and blue care packages and everyone has really creative ideas!  I'm not sure if this will help much but here's what I do... Usually I go to a party store and buy some patriotic decorations (4th of July banner, glittery stars, hanging fireworks, rolls of patriotic crepe paper, etc) and mail a roll scotch tape with them.  Then I cross my fingers that it falls into the hands of a female soldier, because you know how most men are about decorating! (Just kidding!).  I also include another box with a few different types of chips, and another box with the salsa and nacho cheese dip (okay to mail as long as you wrap them up carefully), powdered juice mix, cookies, candy, water ballons, water "splash bombs", frisbee, etc.  Last year I also mailed one Marine unit an inflatable cooler that was shaped like a shark, with some popsicles (also okay to send if you wrap them up right) for them to freeze and put inside the cooler since they didn't have any beer to go in it.    I'm not sure how good of a job I do, but basically I try to mail a little party in 3 boxes...

The trick is trying to keep it simple because it can get expensive quickly!  Party stores are generally more expensive but you can find good 4th of July decorations at Big Lots, WalMart, the Oriental Trading Company, Target, or probably any dollar stores in your area. 

One last idea is to make your own "Happy 4th of July!" banner.  I did this 2 years ago for a unit that 2 of my good friends were in.  You can use a giant roll of paper or even a rectangular, plain white tablecloth (but if you use a tablecloth be sure to put grommets and ribbon through the corners so they have a way to hang it up!) and paint your own patriotic message on it.  It may not look as perfect as the store-bought stuff but they'll appreciate the homemade support!

Happy packing!

 

 

Hey CaliGirl,

Those were great ideas for the 4th of July package. I really like the idea about the banner. My nieces don't know it, but they are gonna be making a banner for the troops.  Is it a white paper table cloth that you use?  Do you think it would be alright to use glitter to make like stars? I would have them paint the lettering. 

I am going to go to some stroes right now and see what I can find. Appreciate your help and suggestions.

John. 

 

I actually use a rectangular cloth tablecloth, they can be found in the furnishing sections at WalMart or Target for around $10, but I bet a paper or plastic one would work too!  My only concern with the cloth is that it'll turn brown from all the sand dust over there...  ...I bet that won't happen with paper or plastic. But then again, cloth is less likely to tear easily...

I used those big, foam "stamps" (stencils?) for my star shapes (you can find at any craft store or WalMart) and some glittery fabric paint. 

Good luck!

I love Oriental Trading so I plan to make individual gift bags with bubbles (wrapped carefully so they don't spill, and put into very small zip poly bags), little battery-operated water fans (w/batteries in the box as well so the contact can hand them out), candies, little toys and things, all tied up nice!  In the bottom of the box, or a separate one if necessary, I'll put in the batteries, decorations and extra 'toys'.  I think i'll check my party place first though, somehow I didn't think of that.

Here are a few ideas of 4th of July care packages. I hope these help!    Thanks for defending the red, white, and blue. We want you to know that we're thinking of you. So here are some treats- all in U.S. hues, To help you combat the "Mess Hall Blues"!

Personalized Message
Cards from local school children
Red, White & Blue Crinkle Paper
Red, White & Blue - Chex Mix
Red, White & Blue - Cracker Jacks
Red & White - Starlight Mints
Red - Nacho Cheese Doritos
Red - Atomic Fire Balls
Red - Twizzlers
Red - Gatorade Drink Mix
Red - Skittles
White - Tic Tacs
White - Payday
Blue - Oreo Cookies
Blue - StarKist Tuna Pack
Blue - Rice Krispie Treat
Blue - Winterfresh Gum
Blue - Phase 10 card game
4th of July type movies (see other post)
4th of July music (see other post)
4th of July items from Oriental Trading
4th of July table decorations/picnic items
American Flags
www.bizrate.com/giftba...7195-.html
www.care4troops.com/pa...erican.htm

I know the military makes an effort to help soldiers celebrate some holidays (eg, Thanksgiving dinner).  Does anyone know which ones?  I have been thinking they must do something special for Memorial Day and July 4th, but I'm not sure.  I don't want these holidays to go unnoticed, but neither do I want to overdo it if they are already getting extra goodies on those dates.  I'd rather save some for days they won't get anything special otherwise.

I found some patriotic flip-flops in all sizes at Walgreens!

Free Spirit:

I know the military makes an effort to help soldiers celebrate some holidays (eg, Thanksgiving dinner).  Does anyone know which ones?  I have been thinking they must do something special for Memorial Day and July 4th, but I'm not sure.  I don't want these holidays to go unnoticed, but neither do I want to overdo it if they are already getting extra goodies on those dates.  I'd rather save some for days they won't get anything special otherwise.

I don't think the military provides them with many goodies for Memorial Day or the 4th of July.  I just asked one of my USMC contacts and his exact words were, "Lol, yeah right... another 18 hour work day like any other. We get nothing.". I think sometimes they can get ahold of some "near beer" and a cigar but no fancy meals like on Thanksgiving and Christmas.  But I'm sure it probably varies depending on the unit and their location.  The best way to find out would probably be to just ask your contacts.

Thanks, Cali.  A lot of my contacts seem hesitant to ask for anything other than the basic necessities.  ("We don't want to be any trouble."  If you can imagine that!)

I was wondering about how far in advance we should send a themed box.....in this case for the July 4th holiday.  Just wondering how long it would take to arrive in Iraq or some of the other places.  Are we talking 6 wks, 8, 10 etc? 

Oh, no, they are much quicker than that.  Letters usually take a week.  I would send a package at least 2 weeks in advance.  The exception is Christmas, when shipping times are slower everywhere.

II send one soldier a "party in a box" every month or so, depending on what holidays are coming up.  I have learned that they can't always celebrate a holiday on the exact date, anyway, because often a lot of their soldiers will be out on a mission. So...don't sweat the calendar.  They will be happy enough to get it "on or about..."

I got some excited people willing to support 10 4th of July boxes.

Here's what I've put in the first two: A hand painted white muslin 3'x6' banner that says THANK YOU, FREEDOM ISN"T FREE, LOVE & PRAYERS ALWAYS in red, black, blue printing and stars. Everyone signed it and we took a picture of us holding it up. I made a small pillow(it says Thank you on the end), 4th of July banner, a bunch of red, white & blue candy, red drink mixes, a baseball, 5 neck coolers, 4 small squirt guns, red, white, and blue balloons and crepe paper. After reading the post above, I am opening up the boxes and adding ribbon and tape to hang the stuff.

I am sending the boxes out on Tuesday, Monday being a holiday. It should get there in a couple of weeks or less. 

A movie or music theme would be good but this worked out well. I am sending these to a couple of my contacts who lost guys and are very down. 

I wouldn't have done this without you all giving me the ideas. Thanks.

momof6 

momof6:

I got some excited people willing to support 10 4th of July boxes.

Here's what I've put in the first two: A hand painted white muslin 3'x6' banner that says THANK YOU, FREEDOM ISN"T FREE, LOVE & PRAYERS ALWAYS in red, black, blue printing and stars. Everyone signed it and we took a picture of us holding it up.

Yay!  How long did it take you to make?  I saw where Marty said we can't post pictures, but let me know if you'd be willing to email it to me because I want to see it!  It's kind of a unique thing to send and I'm sure that they're going to love it!

 

This is wonderful, you guys have given me ideas.  I have been saving coffee cans ( for another purpose) but after reading this.  I will decorate them and put red, white and blue themes in them. Thanks