Ideas for Care Package for Sister in Syria

When I was an exchange student in Sri Lanka, my mom sent me a Norman Rockwell book, the music for the musical "Annie", bras and M&Ms. I loved it all, but have to admit it was quite embarrasing seeing the customs guys hold up the bras when they opened my packages! M&Ms were a big hit and they hadn't melted at all. I love the salsa idea. Chips might break in transit and arrive as crumbs, but corn tortillas could be fried up or baked as chips. Just knowing you were thinking about her will make her day.

I send girl scout cookies and salsa to my dear friend in Australia. They're very picky at customs, but most of my stuff gets through. I've sent cheetos and tortilla chips--just odds and ends of things we take for granted, as someone else mentioned. I think peanut butter and mac and cheese are great ideas.

When I was in the Army, I was stationed in Korea. Simply getting new updates from home was wonderful!

A letter every week or two weeks from what is "normal" to you goes a VERY long way.

If she hasn't been there long, a camera and traveler's guide for Syria would probably be nice as well. It can encourage them to get out and embrace their new culture. (That can be a scary thing!)

When our friends got together to send a box to China, we asked her what she wanted and it surprised us. Her favorite cereal, marshmallows, chocolate chips, instant pudding, hot cocoa mix and flavored coffee. We also enclosed paperbacks, CD's and a favorite magazine or two. She loved all of it.

Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks tee shirts... Texas stuff.

It might be good to check with her about her cost in getting a package. I lived in Lebanon for a lot of years, and we could not get packages there, because they would charge so much for customs, OR the stuff would be pilfered through by the customs people. I know that magazines would be good and considered in a different category than food or clothing. Otherwise, all of the ideas given sounds great. Things that melt may be a problem if it is sent during this time until November.Be sure you check with them, because there are a lot of things that they can probably get there. If it is a problem with customs, just send them the money and they can probably get most of it there, at a specialty store.

Send her some of her favorite chips and or snacks she may not get there. How about her favorite perfume, soaps, hair care products, pictures around and collect different recipes from family and friends that she has enjoyed.

Sounds weird but my sister used to love her favorite brand of toilet paper sent to her--or brownie/cookie mixes. Think of things we take for granted that she can't get there--stuff like Pringles for example. Have you asked her?

A lot of times they are missing the simple things like their favorite tv show and the latest or most favorite movies. Also the food is so different over there, something simple like a box of mac n cheese would make them very happy. You need to find out from family members what foods are her favorites and what her favorite shows are. Sometimes they get better stuff than we think they do...so they are not really needing anything...but would love moms apple pie recipe and all the ingredients to make it including the pie plate. Be sure to check with the postal service to make sure you are allowed to send all items.
This is very thoughtful...I am sure that anything you send will be appreciated.

Nacho chips and salsa, chocolate chips (for making cookies or brownies), canned pumpkin, and peanut butter are all really difficult to find. My sister always wanted hamburger helper and kraft mac & cheese (not my fave). Most other countries have way less processed food, so you could check with her about what stuff she liked.

Another thing, if she forgot to take it with her, would be measuring cups of the English system as opposed to metric. And I had a really hard time finding dishclothes in Egypt.

When I lived in the Middle East, things I missed included:
chocolate chip cookies (or another comfort food she may like)
specific toiletries (does she have a fave bath gel, for example?)
magazines or english language books (a few nice books go a long way if she likes to read)
photos of friends and family
a nice shirt or even some comfy socks or something
Hope that helps!

We sent nachos to my brother-in-law in Iraq. We found chips, salsa, jalapenos in cans and put them together in a package. He also liked to get cookie crumbs. Of course, your sister has access to a kitchen, so you probably wouldn't need that. If it were me, I would love magazines.

D. Kimbriel
Grandma to 2 beautiful boys

good salsa and tortillas!!!!

Is it going to be a surprise? or can you ask her ahead of time what she would like? I lived overseas for awhile, but it was so long ago that I can't remember what we most enjoyed!