I was in Walmart over the weekend and saw coffee and hot chocoloate that are self heating.  A gentleman ( employee ) strolled by as I was asking myself, under my breath of course, if I could afford them this week or not. 

The employee was very helpful and told me that he and his mangager had purchased a couple and tried them out.  He said they worked just great.  I was impressed that they would take the time to do that.  And that he made the effort to let the weird lady in the aisle who was talking to herself, which would be me, know that.

Has anyone else tried these or sent these?

I saw a thread just recently about hand warmers and Costco.  Do the small ones work better than the larger one's?  I am assuming that the smaller one's will fit better in a glove than the larger one's?

Any info would be helpful.  I will find a Costco near to me and visit it.

babs

My neighborhood Wal-Mart grocery had those self-heating coffees on clearance for a dollar each, so I got six. I got the 9.5oz "Hillside Coffee: Double Shot Latte" although they had other flavors. I sent one in my last package to a remote FOB in Afghanistan and asked them to report whether the self-heating part actually works. I'm glad to know they DO work so I'll just send the remaining five in the next five packages.

I wrapped mine in bubble wrap and tape, and packed it in the middle of the box -- but did not put it in a Zip-Loc.The container is metal sheathed in plastic, and it felt pretty sturdy.

I have been buying and sending the "Little Hotties" handwarmers from Costco for three winters now. And I've occasionally used them myself. They're great if you're sitting all afternoon in a freezing cold football stadium. They come in a box with 40 pairs and stay hot for up to eight hours. I forget the exact cost per box, but it was something like $12.

Our Costco also sells bundles with four pairs of Kirkland brand Merino wool hiking socks for about $10. I send one pair of wool socks per package during the winter months, then switch to cotton blend athletic socks for the hot months. This is the best value I have found in winter socks, unless I run into an end-of-season sale somewhere. Warning: Costco quits stocking their wool hiking socks early in the year. So stock up in December or January to have enough for Jan., Feb., March, etc.

Costco also has great deals on Kirkland brand AA and AAA batteries, which I send in every package.

Thanks so much for the reply. 

I will hunt up a Costco near to me and visit this weekend.  I am glad someone has gotten feedback on the self heating coffee for our men and women oversea's.  I feel much more confident about the purchase and packing of the coffee's to send out.

babs