I send B and some friends those hand held poker games, rubic cubes, like handheld yahtzee stuff like that. There really not that spendy. You should look into that. Also carmex. Sounds kinda funny but B's lips burn and get chapped. He uses that stuff like crazy.

oooohhh carmex yup we put lots of that stuff in the boxes. we put writing tablets, and pens, cards, greeting cards. the last batch of boxes we sent out had calling cards.

My Husband loves it when I send him travel tissue. I know that sounds weird, but he says it comes in handy. Also, he likes it when I send him fruit snacks. Makes him not only think of Maddie, but he likes them too. (laughs)

FRUIT SNACKS! HECK IF I BOUGHT THEM FOR THE PACKAGES, MY SONS WOULD TEAR ALL THE BOXES OPEN. BUT GREAT IDEA! I DID ADD BEEF JERKEY

I SEND BABY WIPES

water guns- like- bright ones since its so hot- they have fun. just little cheap ones you get at the dollar store

You probably already got some of these things in there, but just in case:

-hand sanitizer
-disposable cameras (to take pics and send back to family members)
-travel games
-facial wet wipes
-envelopes (to send letters home)
-batteries (diff. sizes)

i like the water gun idea. disposable cameras are great. we talked to a grocery chain here in town about giving us a good deal on them. they said yes but all they needed was proof that they were being sent overseas. we gave them proof. so we will do that next time. thanks for these ideas. KEEP'em coming! thanks so much!

when my cousin was there he said they wanted panty hose. Yes panty hose, keeps bugs off or something. maybe some powdered drink mix with out sugar like crystal light. Baby wipes always!! Good luck! Maybe stuff for girls..

WOW PANTY HOSE! NEVER THOUGH ABOUT THAT! YES, I LOVE DOING THE BOXES FOR WOMEN THE BEST. I LIKE ADDING THOSE EXTRA THINGS THAT US WOMEN NEED. MY MOM TOLD ME EARLIER THAT FORT SAM HERE IN TOWN HAS ALOT OF CLEARANCE ON UNDER GARMENTS FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN. SO I AM HOPING THIS RAIN LETS DOWN SO MY SON'S AND I CAN DRIVE DOWN THERE.

mommy it's great you are getting involved and supporting. I remember we would send these packs when I lived in CA. It was so much fun. It means the world to them ya know!

HUSBAND HAS NOT DEPLOYED YET. MY FATHER LEAVES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. HUSBAND IS LOOKING IN TO LOOK INTO A JAN DEPLOYMENT...DONT KNOW HOW THAT WORKS. RIGHT NOW HE IS DECIDING BETWEEN SCHOOL AND DEPLOYMENT. ANYWAY, DOING THIS IS SO MUCH FUN. I WISH I COULD SEE THEIR FACES WHEN THEY OPEN THE PACKAGES. THERE ARE SO MANY SOLDIERS WHO DONT HAVE FAMILY OR FRIENDS SUPPORT. I WISH I COULD DO MORE. WE WERE GOING TO BAMC AND VOLUNTEERING WITH INJURED SOLDIERS. MY SON'S LOVE GOING. THEY DO HELP WITH THE PACKAGES WHEN THEY CAN. MY YOUNGEST DRAWS PICTURES AND PUTS THEM IN THE BOXES.

It does mean so much to them. What my husband loved most was getting letters and drawings from children. He kept all of them.

We sent my dad a build a bear named capt'n jazz- we dressed him up in tan camo and gave him a canadian flag- you couldnt send that to everyone but for you husband or wife.. or parent its cute.

i enjoy making these packages. my kids love helping me also. some people hate hearing about what we enjoy putting in these packages but i could care less. i have a heart and these soldiers need to know we care even if it is just a package, it means the world to them. so i will keep sending them. and to all of you, keep the ideas coming. i am writing them all down. again, thank you!