Sending a care packages is an important component to showing our services members that we are thinking about them and supporting them despite the distance. But if you’ve never sent one before or have been at it for a few months, it might be difficult to come up with “new” ideas.
Well, fear not. We’ve scoured the internet to find many other ideas for your packages. Let us make it easy for you!
Please note: Most of our ideas were found with unknown authors, so if your idea is featured below, we’d love to say “Thanks!”
Commonly requested items
If you’ve never sent a care package before, you might be scratching your head wondering what is most needed. The best thing to do is ask your service member—there may be items that he or she misses from home and can’t find in-country. But you might be a good samaritan who wants to show our service members that you’re thinking of them. You can find a complete list of items here.
Holiday-specific ideas
Let your service member partake in the festivities, no matter where he or she is deployed. Create fun holiday-themed care packages. Decorate the inside of the box to match the holiday (red and pink for Valentine’s Day, green with Shamrocks and gold coins for St. Patrick’s Day, and pastels for Easter).
Here are some holiday ideas:
And in case you have a military spouse in your life who could use some deployment support, check out Military Spouse care package ideas!
Every day themes
No holidays coming your way, but still wanting to have fun themes contained in each box? Here are some easy, every day ideas. Toss a few (or all) of the listed components into a box, write a sweet card to match, and send it off!
Surviving the Sandstorm: Eye wash, nasal spray, chap stick, bandana, goggles, and sun glasses.
Laundry Load: Laundry soap, fabric softener sheets, clean bed linens, clean socks, clean undershirts and underwear, and Febreeze.
Lotta Java: Tea, cocoa, coffee singles, creamer, sugar, International Coffee tins, cookies, and chocolates.
Hang in There: Stuffed animal monkey, banana bread, banana chips, banana pudding, monkey’s in a barrel game, and a card with a monkey on it.
A Day at the Beach: Sunscreen, beach towel, beach snacks, flip flops (shower shoes), aloe vera gel, sunglasses, sand toys.
Medicine Cabinet: Aspirin, band-aids, Neosporin, A&D ointment, cold medicine, Alka-Seltzer, Rolaids, vitamins, etc. Anything that your service member reaches for to help with aches and pains.
MRE/Mess Hall Survival Kit: Restaurant size condiment packs of BBQ sauce, mustard, ketchup, mayo, relish, salt, pepper, taco sauce, ranch, cheese dip, etc.
Correspondence Carton: Notebook paper, stationery paper and envelopes, pens, pencils, stickers, address book (filled in already), and a disposable camera.
Action Heroes: Power bars, squirt guns, energy drinks, small Army figurines, comic books, and sports drinks.
Bathroom in a Box: Toilet paper, razor refills, foot powder, soap, washcloth, towel, shower shoes, shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, and aftershave.
Ruck Sack Snack Pack: Pack it full of favorite snacks like Doritos, M&Ms, nuts, chips, crackers, jelly beans, beef jerky, gum, etc.
Breakfast on the Go: Multigrain bars, instant oatmeal cups, small boxes of cereal, pop tarts, donuts, muffins, cocoa, tea, tang, coffee, etc.
I’m Nuts About You: Peanuts, cashews, pistachios, peanut butter cookies, nutter butters, peanut lover’s chex mix, etc. Really, if it has nuts in it, throw it in the box.
Chili Today, Hot Tamale: Hot Tamales candy, small cans of chilli, red pepper flakes, spicy sunflower seeds, Cajun flavored Pringles, Spicy Chex mix, red hots, peppered beef jerky, Extreme Doritos, nacho cheese, Jalapeno Ritz, Tums, and Rolaids.
This Little Piggy Went to the Sandbox: Foot care kit, foot powder, boot inserts, foot lotion, foot file, clean socks, toe nail clippers, scrub brush, odor eater balls, foot soaks, and large Ziploc bags for foot soaking.
Sweet Tooth: Nerds, gummy bears, Laffy Taffy, bubble gum, Tootsie Rolls, lollipops, toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss.
My Fisherman: Goldfish crackers, tuna pouches, canned salmon, canned sardines, gummy worms, Go Fish card game, Field & Stream magazine, electronic fishing rod game, SpongeBob SquarePants stuffed toy, fishing game toy, etc.
Italian Stallion: Italian cheese Ghardettos, Pizza-licious Pringles, Pepperoni pizza Combos, small Boboli pizza bread, pizza sauce, canned ravioli, spaghetti, lasagna, etc.
Thankful: Canned turkey, instant mashed potatoes, breadsticks, gravy in a jar, Hostess apple pies, canned corn or green beans, turkey jerky, craisins, Thanksgiving scented candle, pictures of Thanksgivings past, scrapbook, taped recorded message, or even a “why we’re thankful for you” list.
It’s A Boy/It’s A Girl: Birth announcement card, candy pacifiers, baby bottles filled with candy, baby wipes, baby lotion, baby powder, stuffed animal, bubble gum cigars (or real ones), Cheerios, Gerber Graduates, Sugar Babies, Sour Patch Kids, Blue or Pink Kool-Aid, etc.
Straight from the Zoo: Animal crackers, peanuts, peanut butter, beef jerky, dried banana chips, trail mix, Hostess snowballs, tuna, postcards, stuffed animals, or plastic zoo animals.
Fiesta: Margarita drink mix, Piña Colada mix, lemonade, salsa, chips, cheese, Hot Tamales candy, Fire Balls candy, balloons, chilli peppers, refried beans, taco seasoning, tobacco, piñata filled with candy, and Mexican decorations. Side note: buy doubles so you can party while you pack it!
Play Ball: Baseballs, peanuts, major league gum, sunflower seeds, baseball cards, baseball hat, shredded beef jerky, sunglasses, popcorn, near beer, Cracker Jacks, game day programs, pictures of past ball games, stats on players or teams, and taped ball games.
You’re The Big Cheese Now: Cheese curls, cheese balls, cheese flavored chips, cheese Doritos, cheese popcorn, cheese and crackers, cheese flavored crackers, tubs of cheese spread, cheesy instant mashed potatoes, etc. If it contains cheese, throw it in the box.
Luau: Macadamia nuts, coconut crème cookies, Kona coffee, sugar in the raw packets, photos and cards with Hawaiian scenery, paper palm trees, grass hula skirts, leis, coconut novelties, tropical straws with palm trees, flamingos, pineapple décor, pineapple chunks, Hawaiian tropic lotion, Hawaiian punch juice boxes, sun glasses, piña colada drink mixes, bag of seashells, Hawaiian girl car ornament, inflatable fish or sharks, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, Dole tropical cups, dried mango, papaya and pineapple, teriyaki chicken and beef nuggets, colorful flip flops, etc. You’ll have your service member dreaming of the tropics!
Soldier care package: Include a special note the says, “Tucked inside this little bag, when your spirits are starting to sag, are some little reminders that I care as you fight for freedom over there.” Include the following items with small notes attached. Toothpicks: To help you pick out the good in every situation you encounter. Hershey’s Hugs & Kisses: Because sometimes we all need a “hug and kiss.” Paperclips: To help you “keep it together” when it all seems to be hitting the fan. Marbles: To replace “the ones we all lose” from time to time. Snickers: To remind you to “laugh” even when you feel like crying. Rubber Bands: To help you be flexible and “bounce back” in times of trouble without breaking. Pack of Gum: To remind you to “stick” with the task at hand. Mints: To let you know you’re worth a “mint” to me. A throw pillow: To help “cushion” the rough times. Lollipops: To help you “lick” the problems you encounter. Starburst: To let you know I’m “bursting” with pride for you. Nuts: To remind you to relax and get a little “nutty” sometimes. Tootsie Rolls: To remind you of the important “roll” you play. Lifesavers: To signify the “lifesaving” things you do to keep our country free.
Go here for more themed care package ideas.
Organizations that send care packages
No time to create a package? Sign your service member up to receive packages from caring people all over the country with the following organizations:
Looking for more creativity? See below for plenty more options from our ever-faithful Band of Bloggers.
