• Chewing gum
• Hard candy
• Lifesavers/Certs/Tic Tacs
• Lollipops/Tootsie Rolls
• Skittles/Nerds
• Cookies
• Individual packaged pies (Hostess apple, cherry, etc)
• Jello snack packs

DRINK MIXES/BREAKFAST

• Kool-aid/lemonade/powder gatorade
• Instant oatmeal
• Individual box cereal
• Milk & Cereal bars
• Granola/Power bars
• Pop Tarts

SNACKS

• Crackers/chips
• Pretzels
• Sunflower seeds
• Slim Jims/Beef Jerky
• Nuts
• Dried fruit
• Trail mix

CLOTHING OR RELATED ITEMS

• Men's socks long black or ankle white
• Brown tshirs short/long sleeve
• boot powder/insoles/odor eaters
• powder laundry detergent
• moleskin

HEALTH & HYGIENE ITEMS

• toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, mouthwash
• soap, shampoo, lotion
• toliet paper, wipes, kleenex
• sunscreen, bug repellent
• razors, shaving cream
• Q-tips, eye drops, saline mist nose spray
• Vitamins, Vitamin C & Calcium chews
• Tylenol, Motrin, Pepto/Tums, Imodium AD
• Hand sanitizer, nail clippers
• chapstick, neosporin, hydrocortisone cream
• Anything else that I might have forgot

NOTE: Might not want to combine soap/toiletries with food items in the same package!! Many soldiers have reported that food items taste like soap, shaving cream, etc. when food is shipped with toiletries, even when heavy zip-loc bags are used to seperate the items

FUN ITEMS

• dice, cards, uno
• disposable camera
• electronic hand held games
• word search books
• newspapers, magazines, books
• All types foam balls (nerf)
• Rubix cube
• travel board games

OTHER HELPFUL ITEMS

• Ziploc bags (assorted sizes)
• dryer sheets
• mini fan
• flyswatter, bug zapper
• Duct tape
• Prepaid Global calling cards
• writing paper, pens
• blank greeting cards(for him to send to others)
• return address labels (or self addressed envelopes)

GENERAL TIPS:

When you mail letters/packages number them (1,2,3,4, etc.) so the soldiers can keep them in order and you can keep track of them from home (and see how long they are taking and if any are missing).

THINGS WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO SEND (Prohibited):

• Obscene articles (prints, cards, paintings, films, videotapes, etc.)
• Any matter depictiing nude or seminude persons, pornographic or sexual items, or unauthorized political materials.
• BULK quantities of religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith. Items for the PERSONAL use of the ADDRESSEE are allowed.
• Pork or pork by products
• liquor of any kind

PACKING TIPS:

• Extreme Temperatures: Desert temperatures typically exceed 100 degrees. Things you might not think will melt, may melt.


• THE Box: Select a box strong enough to protect the contents and large enough to accommodate clothing. If reusing a box, cover/remove all previous labels. Shoebox size is most popular.


• Cushioning: Cushioning the contents with newspaper is a novel way to send news from home. Newspaper can rub off on items so keep that in mind. Styrofoam and bubble wrap are also good choices. Close and shake the box. If it rattles, add additional cushing to keep the items from shifting.


• Sealing: Tape the opening, and reinforce ALL SEAMs with 2" wide tape. Reinforced packing tape is best. The extreme heat can make other tape come unglued from the box. DO NOT use cord, twine, or string as it causes the package to get caught and possibly damaged in sorting equipment.


• Include a card describing the contents, and list the sender's and recipient's addresses. Occasionally improperly wrapped packages fall apart during shipment, and the desc. can help in collection itmes that have fallen out.

Another thing I have heard is that batteries have exploded while on pallets causing fire and buring the whole pallet of mail. It's a good idea to remove all batteries, and not send any. p>

Please email me if you have any questions.

This site was thrown together in Feb of 2004 just before my husband left for Iraq. I always intended to go back and make it nicer, but never did. Now is the time to do so. I'm going to try and add more ideas and such for those that are still looking for ideas.