Being separated from your loved one during a deployment is always difficult, but it’s especially hard around the holidays. If you have a spouse, son or daughter, or other family member or friend who will be spending the holidays away from home, consider sending them an extra special care package this year. These creative ideas will help you stay connected and express your love, while providing encouragement and comfort.
O Christmas Tree
– If your soldier celebrates Christmas, send them a small tabletop tree they can decorate themselves, and include battery operated lights (and batteries) and homemade ornaments. Add a Santa hat or a personalized stocking filled with candy for a sweet touch.
Picture Perfect
– Fill a gift box with a personalized calendar and other photo gifts. There are many online services, such as Shutterfly, that make it easy to design a custom calendar featuring your photos. You can also create beautiful photobooks, photo pillows and blankets (if you’re sending to your guy – spray some perfume on them before sending!), iPhone and iPad cases, and more.
New Year’s Eve In A Box
– A New Year’s Eve- themed care package can be a lot of fun. In a festively decorated box include silly favors and party hats (enough to share with a small “party” of soldiers), a card, small games, confetti, some plastic champagne glasses for a faraway midnight toast, and a list of resolutions.
Fan-tastic Football – If your servicemember is a football fan, send them a “Fan-tastic“ football package. Decorate the box with football-related pictures and words, and fill it with his favorite game day snacks, a NERF football, a team jersey, team stickers, and other sports memorabilia.
Winter Wonderland
– Warm your servicemember’s heart with a winter-themed care package. Fill it with handmade snowflakes signed by family and friends, lip balm, hot cocoa mix and marshmallows, tea bags, mugs, handmade blanket, etc. Depending on the soldier’s location, you can also include hats, gloves, long underwear, or insulated socks. View this creative decorating idea.
Military Mail Deadlines
To ensure that your care package will arrive on time, be sure to adhere to these USPS military mail deadlines.
Creating and packing a care package for a loved one is a great family activity. Use your imagination and have fun with it. No matter what type of package you send it is almost certain to be appreciated!
