WOW! Who knew there were so many creative people out there!  At first I used to just pack stuff in a box, but then I started getting requests so my packages became theme boxes in a way.  I always try to do something relevent to the next upcoming holiday (Valentines St. Patricks, Easter, Fourth of July,etc). I find that I can get all kinds of decorations from the Dollar Tree or Big Lots, Target and Walgreens and if I have a specific theme I go to the Party Store.

I had people tell me that they would like to have stuff from their home states, so I called my friends from different states and had them send stuff.  During football season, I like to send banners, and logo items. One of my airmen was a Florida Gator fan. We have obsessed fans here so I was able to collect all kinds of things from pens to towels and pillows, sheets, GATORADE MIX and boxer shorts. I also sent him the Sports Illustrated issue when the Gators won the championship. There is a favorite that I send to the ladies. It's a chocolate alligator made from a special mix of chocolate that won't melt unless it gets over 120 degrees.  I have sent about thirty of those in the last two years.

GO GATORS!

wow, read all the replys.  Everyone is so creative.  Then it hit me.  A Philly Box...Tastykakes, peanut chews, DVD from the Mummers, the Philadelphia Inquirer, post cards of the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House I forget now what was in that box.  Will need to go back and look at the customs form.  I sent the box off to one of my guys that is supporting quite a group.  I was so proud of myself .... but then I wondered, what if no one is from Philly .  I was so excited about the box I really didn't give an explanation in the card.  They'll probably think I've gone off my rocker.  Joyce  O yeah, Eagles plastic football and Phillies plastic basebal.  Hope Joey doesn't miss them he has a dozen of them.

My most recent favorite has been my new "Chilly box" : ) Fits perfectly in the square flat rate.... 4 lg micro tubs of Cambells chunky chilli, a bag of oyster crackers, minced onion seasoning, a rolled up fleece blanket and a box of hot chocolate packets. I always put a couple spoons in too. I love the thought that the little box might warm up a cold soldier!

Shelly

Do you do these themed packages for the whole group, or just your "special / regular soldier"? [under ea soldiers name it says X # of Males X# of Females] I am fairly new here and sent 4 boxes out today, I included "valentine goodie bags" (similiar to loot bags) for each soldier per address.

I kinda need advice on the boxes ~ I wanna help as best as I can, but I'd also like to have a few "individual" soldiers. How long did it take yous to actually get your "special soldier(s)?

STL:

I love the thought that the little box might warm up a cold soldier!

I did a similar box, a "warm-up package". I included socks, stocking caps, hand warmers, hot cocoa packets, jalepeno chicken ramen, microwave oatmeal cups, hot 'n spicy sunflower seeds, spicy peanuts, a bag of red hots, tea packets with a small bottle of honey, and a small teddy bear dressed as a bee (because the box went to a Navy Seabee).

It was a fun package to put together! It makes it fun to shop for the contents when you have a theme.
 

Themes are totally fun Jenifer!

And I do both ladybug. Depends on the stuff and the current budget!

Next month is girl scout cookie shipping. I'm lookin for a theme to go with those. Any help on ideas? Little stuffed cookie monster? Wish i could send milk : )

 

My all time favorite to send was a State Fair Box for food I had popcorn, peanuts, cotton candy, apple crisp bars (apple pie), beef jerky.  I got some darts and water ballons, water pistols, a ring toss game, a cow shaped pinata filled with candy, and of course award ribbons and little candy prizes.  I found some John Deere posters so in went be green and yellow streamers to match.  I found some old calendars with horses and outdoor scenes on them for them to post as well as the program to my state fair, and even a state fair/country CD.  I tried to make the stuff have long-term uses as well.  Hooks for the pinata could be used for clothes, the cork tiles used in the dart/balloon game could be used as notice boards, the dowl rods from the ring toss could be duct taped (I threw some in) to the bunks or chairs for more storage.  Oriental trading company, the dollar store, the local party/paper store, as well as walmart supplied the stuff.

 STL - search on here for milk, I seem to remember discussions about it before (powdered milk and parmalat come quickly to mind)  For themes, how about asking the girl selling you the cookies if she/and her troop would like to help support the troops?  They could write, send pictures of the whole troop, etc.  You could set up mini boxes for each cookie type Mint=green=st patricks day/kentucky derby mint julips, Coconut=tropical=island=bathing beauty=sports illustrated swimsuit issue, Butter=cows=farm=country...

Have fun!

russ

Hi STL,

Just thought you would like to know you can send milk.  In the boxed juice section there is boxed milk you can buy.  I have sent milk when I sent the items’ for smores or when I sent Little Debbie’s Valentine chocolate cakes. 

There is plain, chocolate and strawberry milk.

Hope this helps.

 

great ideas , soon will be sending cool down boxes! thanks again for thinking of the seabees! some of the seabee supporters have started CD"S FOR SEABEES, simply print out address labels using a stencil font and stick it on the cover of the cd' cases, they have been a BIG HIT. some new bees will be going over in March.

I am getting my supplies ready to start on Cool Ties now while there is plenty of time - didn't get many made last year since I waited too long to get the filler for them, and soon it will be time to send the packages with Cool Ties, Freeze Pops, and water guns and water balloons.

Gran

Gran,

I would be very interested in making the cool ties but I don't know how.  Where do you get the filler, measurements, etc.

Rosemary

Rosemary,

If you will go to Nonfood Items then put Cool Ties in the search, you will find a thread on them.  If you need further help, let me know, but you should find a link to a site that has patterns for them.  You can also Google them and find the patterns.  The filler that is supposed to be one of the best to use because of the size / density is Watersorb .  I believe it is on the Watersorb website that you can find one of the instruction sheets.

Gran

Hi Gran,

Thanks for the help.  I did the search and looks like a lot of good info there.  Will read it all tonight after work.  I also had googled last night after I posted to you and had found the Watersorb site.    Hope to get started making them soon.  They keep giving us overtime at work.  The money comes in handy to buy more soldier stuff but it sure cuts into my play time :-)

 Rosemary

rosepeddles:

I did the search and looks like a lot of good info there.

For anyone who is interested: Here are two threads where the cool ties are discussed, including a link to instructions:

Cool Ties

Neck coolers

 

 

Hello, I do not have any family or friends deployed and I really need help.  I want to do a themed "un-deployment" package.  what would the troops want in that last care package before the last mailing date? 

Thanks