Gift Suggestions

[Meenah]

I need suggestions for a Christmas gift. Caroline and Alex are gtting married in April, and he is going to be deployed most likely in June . Can you suggest anything that would be useful while he is away?

[DCJenn]

Re: Gift Suggestions

If they don't have cameras attached to their computers, then those are handy for video conferencing.

Once he deploys then care packages are great but really before he goes, there's an entire list of crap they have to buy. See if she can get a copy for you.

Jenn

[Meenah]

Re: Gift Suggestions

Thanks Jenn!

[Meenah]

Now I need suggestions for Care Packages. He is now in Afghanistan

[MarissaNicole]

Magazines, candy and other treats and letters/notes.

[DCJenn]

Luanne-

There's a recipe circulating for cookies that can withstand the shipping- it's from the Vietnam conflict era so I think they're called something like SouthAsian cookies or something. My mom has it so I'll ask her.

Other things I sent- lotions, sun screens, foot powder, hot sauce (BIG BOTTLES), chap stick, those drink powders that you pour into water bottles, instant coffee- those international coffees, etc.

Rick had access to his laptop so we sent tons of movies and cds. My cousins each burned a cd of their favorite tunes for him. They get most of the new movies via bootlegged copy (you know, where you can see people get up and go to the bathroom!). Pictures, cards and letters are always appreciated.

Things that don't travel well- anything chocolate, anything fragile (chips, etc.), etc.

It gets COLD in the winter in both Afghanistan and Iraq so when the time comes you can send hand warmers and other thigns like that.

I'll ask my resident expert for some other ideas.

Jenn

I've sent an email to my friend whose husband has been deployed 10 times since 9/11 . So far she's said (oddly enough) not to send chapstick. Apparently there were buckets of it around and her husband actually brought some home (probably just depends on where he's stationed).

Nail clippers, shoe deodorizers -- and she'll get back to me with more in a bit.

Hey Luanne -

My friend finally got back to me. Her husband said:

gum!!
magazines
toiletries/soap/razors/deoderant etc
I think his mom sent a bunch of paperback books she got at the library sale.
I hope that helps.

[Meenah]

Thank you , thank you. Keep the ideas coming, we have a whole year to to send packages.

[alison]

I saw this on Amazon and thought of you!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846

[Meenah]

I'm sending a package out this weekend. Is there a special kind of sock or t-shirt to send?

[DCJenn]

Not really- anything anti-stinky will be appreciated. Remember they CAN'T wear civilian stuff so t-shirts need to be khaki. Socks should be up to his mid-calf unless he wants specific running socks (Rick did). (or Army PT gear- and I can get you that stuff)

He loved smell good anti-athlete's foot powder.

J.

[SuzySunshine]

I know nothing about the military but DH loves his SmartWool socks for wearing in heat or cold.

[Meenah]

Caroline called me last night, she said she had a letter from Alex, and he said that when the mail came (don't know where they are, apparently guarding villages so they can vote this week) and he was sad because only 5 of his 25 men had letters (he is a platoon leader). We are now organizing some letter writing. Tonight I bought a bunch of magazines, sudoku puzzles, gum, baby wipes, etc. to send to the whole platoon. This is so surreal.