Christmass in Iraq

My husband has been in Iraq for 3 years...and he love food, cookies, banana nut bread you name it....Also you can get those inexpensive hand held card cames like poker, and texas hold 'em...they work really good over there....

When my husband was there last time I sent him a care package from http://www.sendasmilegifts.com/ It was fun because it had some cute silly stuff to put in there. They have brain teasers and cute little travel games. My husband got a kick out of the fortune cookies I sent. I know some of its a little to young for them but out there I think they need to feel young. Hope this helps

I have sent my husband special food items that he couldn't find over there. Home made goodies are great to send.

Hi C.. My name is M. and I just got out of the military. My fiance is there also. I am sending him homemade cookies, candy, pics of our kids, and I am sending him a guitar. Just send stuff to remind him of home. I dont know if your son is on land or on ship but my fiance is on a ship. On land it may be more difficult because of what you stated the sand. That is the only advice I can give. I hope he returns home safe.
M.

What about a laptop or personal DVD player or Ipod

Hi C.,

My brother (23 yrs old) is a Marine and spent some time in Iraq. Don't send anything expensive. When he gets home you can spoil him rotten! My brother just returned home last month and we celebrated 4 birthdays! And one year my mom left the Christmas tree up so that it would be there when he came home and it was like mid-summer! She had real presents there waiting for him. Here are some of the things he asked for while over there.

Beef jerky was in almost every package & afte a while it was stock-
piled because there was so much of it. Then it would get dried out
even worse than jerked jerkey. He said to include it once in a while
in a package because there were so many Marines going over for the
first time that they would not be sick of it yet like the other were.
REMEMBER - they do share their packages. It's hard to imagine, but
there are some who don't have family/friends who send anything. All multiple stuff is kept in one area for those that want to have any of it.

My brother also said there was no such thing as too many "handiwipes"!!!!!!

Books to read, crossword puzzle books, word search books are great ime passers. The books are shared after being read then left for the next unit(s) that come over. Same with toys & games. The puzzle books are left laying out & who ever wants to solve a word can.

A magazine subscription! My mom got one for my brother to Maxim, and had it delivered to her house, then she put it in the box with his other goodies each month.

For foot powder, he said the best (probably the most expensive, lol) is Gold Bond Foot Powder in the blue bottle.

Canned smoked oysters & smoked clams were high on my brother's list. MAKE SURE that if they don't have a key-ring top that you send a can opener! Visions flash of opening a small can with a KABAR????????? Pretty scary!

Shampoo & conditioner in one was another must. Get ones that are high moisturizing due to the heat & sweat. Look for ones that help moisturize the scalp.

Instant handwarmers are nice for the upcoming winter months.

AA batteries are always in need for someone. They take their CD
players but run out of battery power quick. Most of them take AA size batteries I think.

If they did take a CD player then send one of the scratch kits for the CD's because of the sand & also if their favorite musician comes out with a new CD while they are over there, send it. It might cost some money, it might get scratched, it might be ruined, BUT it keeps them in touch with their world here.

Also the small individual cans of fruit (with the lift off tops) are great also.

Keep in mind that they should have a mobile PX there to get SOME stuff but the important stuff is what they miss the most from home, the stuff they eat that they take for granted. My brother has one brand of chips that he couldn't even find in California so I shipped them over in one of his boxes. They arrived smooshed but he said they were great as seasoning on the MRE's.

Pack as much stuff as possible in ziploc bags. Use licorice & pre-sweetened kool-aid packages (in ziplocs) for the stuffing to keep things from rolling around.

Homemade goodies. I used to bake cookies, put them in the freezer, then vacuum seal them and send them like that. I would layer them in bubble wrap. They always arrived fresh and in one piece.

One last thing - send pictures from his home town. Family pictures are great but they really enjoy sharing pictures of where they come from. Sunsets over a mountain that is in the distance out their back door, etc. Also newspaper articles from hometown papers are good.

Keep things up-beat & FUN.

May God bless your son and your family. I pray for his safe return.

I dont really know either, ad libs are fun and short. Maybe a good book? Anyhow, please send our love and support with his gifts.

Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

K.

When my husband was over there, he always wrote to me "Hickory Farms means love", and if you've ever tasted an MRE (Meal, Ready to Eat)you know exactly why! I always sent my husband a huge amount of Hickory Farms assortments and cartons of cigarettes. He said they were the best gifts he had ever received. God's peace be with you and your son.

My husband was in desert storm some years ago... But he said that if there is anyway that you can get it there without it melting and getting ruined... and if your son likes it of course he said send him anything chocolate its like a delicacy in those countries... and he also said anything food or homeade is the BEST!!! But I agree with some of the others ask him and see what you can send him or what he really needs cause they usually have lists of things that they really need and then send that and save the "good" stuff for when he comes home because he cant really truly enjoy it over there. And Stay Strong Mom! Your Son is doing something wonderful!!! :)

Have you thought about an ipod? If you get him one don't forget to put some music he might like on it before you send it!! Good luck & tell him I appriciate what he's doing for us!!

S.

my husband is also deployed he's 23yrs old. it's his 5th time on tour, we usually wait for his return to give him our gifts. when i do send him something it's usually a scrapbook with tons of pictures. (he likes things like that) LOL. but you could just ask him what he Needs and send him that. you could always get special recepies that are good for shipping for brownies and chocolate chip cookies. (there are recepies that make these things last longer without going stale). HTH

HUGS

Maybe a tape recorder, blank tapes and tapes from friends and family for him to listen to. Remember that the post office has a program to mail packages to soldiers for a really good price. I think it is up to 70 lbs for a really cheap price so you can mail him things like candy, hot chocolate packs, beef jerky, ramen noodles, letter writing materials complete with envelopes and overseas stamps. Remember that lollipops with the strings instead of sticks are good cause the soldiers carry them for the kids in the areas. the kids can't get hurt by them as easily. Just after halloween would be a great time to buy cheap candy to send. Bake cookies and seal them in ziploc bags. I saw on TV someone that made personalized stationary by taping pictures around the edges of paper and making color copies and writing in the center. That is cheap and you can change it often that way. That way your son will new pics from home everytime he gets a letter. My girlfriend writes a short note to her brother every day and packs them up once every two weeks. Each envelope has a number for him to open them in order each day ( he is only supposed to do 1 a day).

Hope these tips help
C.

My brother and my brother-in-law (who grew up together and served in Iraq together) are home now but the Christmas gift thing was difficult for all of us, especailly my husband and I as we each had a brother there so I had to be creative.....I sent magazines that interested them (hunting and fishing all current), homemade holiday candy like pralines, fudge, divinity, things like that, not many people know that you can ship food to them, huge boxes of snacks like lil debbie snack cakes to share with their buddies who didn't get packages (our brothers told us that there are quite a few that don't get anything) tony's seasoning because of the hot meals they cook, ( I had a pure Louisiana package for them down to the hot sauce) mixed music cd's, digital camera because they had access to email often and could send pics. off of their laptops, I don't know your son's rank but my brothers' is high but he shared with the others there, I also send toiletries to them because the ones they are given aren't necessairly the ones that they like, and wet wipes and sun screen. They both seemed to appreciate those things more while they were there and I gave real gifts to them when they got back. I hope that this helped in some small way, and if not, then I hope that you do find something unique and special to send to your son, God Bless you and your family and I pray for a quick and safe return home for him. Sincerely, R.

My husband has just deployed for the 2nd time (in 2 years) as well, and I may have some ideas for you. After exploring our options last year, we went with things like his favorite snacks, cases of popcorn, (if they are in a place with microwaves) and the necessities (soap, shampoo, etc...)in bulk. If your son likes to read, books and mags are always an option too. I know alot of the boys over there like to have MP3 players so they can listen to music, and they are relatively easy to keep protected from the sand and elements. I also bought him other gifts that I kept here until he returned in March. I wish I had more suggestion, but with the nature of their job, and their location I have found that simple gifts are the best way to go. Hope this helps, and good luck.

Hi C.,

I don't know what he has or doesn't but when my husband was shipped over seas, I had sent him an I-pod. He had access to a computer workshop to download songs. So it worked out. I hope I could be of some more help to you. Many blessings to you and your son.

Hugs,
A.

My husband was there the first time, 16 years ago, and without hestitation he suggested an "electronic flyswatter". I'm not sure where to find one because I've adopted a soldier and would like to send him one, too.

I sent my husband a lot of food. A digital camera and definately all of his favorite soaps and stuff. My friend Jennie sent her husband books and stuff. We sent envelopes that were pre addressed to ourselves with his return address on it so if he wanted to drop us a note it didnt take as long. I sent a blanket to help keep him warm at night. I also sent one of those pennent flags for his favorite college football team. Phone cards are always good. I tried to send a letter a day (sometimes two) and at least one card a week. You can also get BX/PX gift cards and depending on which base/camp he is at, he can use those at the different AAFES. Definately lots of food to share, pictures of you guys he can put in his locker. Just some ideas. God bless you and keep you both safe.

I would just send a care package of all his favorite things...things he can't get in Iraq. Maybe a six pack of his favorite drink, some of his favorite snack foods, cds if he listens to music.

Well, I have a head cold, so that's about as much creativity as I can scrounge up today. Hahahaha!!

Good luck!! And tell him thanks for being there for all our sorry butts!!

C.

my hubby is 22 and in the army, so i have some ideas for you =) just make sure you check with your son first so you know of any regulations and also what his living conditions will allow.
if he likes sports, try a baseball bat, a few balls and a glove. or a football, or even a putter and a practice green and some golf balls.
then there are the basics...shampoo, soap, shaving cream, razors, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, etc. and also clothing items such as t-shirts, socks, gloves, hats, etc. (check on what type/brand is allowed)
another idea is a cooking stove with extra fuel, a pan, a durable spoon, and some cans of soup, chili, etc. (again, make sure it's ok to send the stove)
also, ask if he needs any mosquito netting or anything like that.
my last idea is one i think he would appreciate most...something homemade! even if the cookies are hard by the time he gets them, i'm sure he will appreciate them and everyone else will be jealous! also, i would have each family member make him a card and maybe even make him a photo album/scrapbook of family members, friends, pets, his car, the town he grew up in...anything to remind him of home.
and don't forget self-addressed stamped envelopes if you'd like him to write every now and then =)

Personal hygiene products, favorite foods, lots of his favorite stuff....and then when he comes back, get him what he really wants. packages from home are blessed and cherished all the time.

M.