What to Send a Solider in Iraq

My nephew just recently deplyed to Iraq. We are looking to put together a care package for him. I thought I would find an easy list - boy was I wrong. So here is my list that I put together after visiting many sites and reading lots of blogs.

If I can give some ideas even for one soldier's family - I am happy....

Personal Care: (Think travel size)

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste Travel Size
• Floss
• Multi Vitamins
• Unscented Baby Wipes Travel Size
• Hand Sanitizer
• Lip Balm
• Disposable Razors
• Bug repellant (like Deep Woods Off) to keep the sand fleas off.
• Waterproof sunscreen
• Aloe Vera lotion
• Deodorant
• Lotion
• Small packages of Kleenex.
• Throat lozenges
• Eye drops
• Pain relievers, like Tylenol, Aspirin, Motrin, etc.
• Jock itch powder
• Feminine Itch Powder
• Tampons
• Feminine Hygiene Pads
• Hair Bands
• Small Mirrors
• Foot powder, packed in a Ziploc bag.
• Moleskin
• Shaving gel in tubes (no shaving cream)
• Toilet Paper
• Boot insoles
• Unscented Baby Powder
• Nail Clippers
• Nail Files
• Ivory Soap
• Medicated Face Wipes
• Eye Drops
• Cotton Balls
• Mouth Wash

Snacks & Treats:

• Hard Candy
• Mints
• Starburst
• Skittles
• Gum
• Dried Fruit
• Fruit Roll Ups
• Cigars
• Lifesavers
• Pringles
• Doritos
• Cheetos
• Beef Jerky
• Crystal Lite Drink Mix
• Peanut Brittle
• Bubble Gum
• Sardines.
• Small packages of ground coffee
• Instant hot chocolate.
• Nuts
• Sunflower seeds
• Trail mix (no chocolate - it melts)
• Crackers
• Mrs. Dash
• Hot Sauce
• Tabasco Sauce
• Mustard Packets
• Relish Packets
• Quaker instant oatmeal
• Instant espresso powder
• Instant Flavored Coffee
• Tea Bags
• Single Serving Dry Cereal
• Spices (onion powder, red pepper flakes, garlic powder)
• Lollipops
• Ragu Express
• Granola Bars
• MILK Parmalat packs 2% milk
• Powdered Creamer
• Sugar Packets
• Single Serving Mac & Cheese
• Single Serving Hamburger Helper
• Soup packets
• Tuna lunch-to-go packs
• Meal replacement drinks, such as Ensure in lightweight bottles
• Powdered Gatorade
• Ramen Noodles
• Chewing Tobacco
• Salad Dressing
• Canned Chicken
• Salsa
• Snack Cakes

Other Desirables:

• White Athletic Socks
• Dark Green Boot Socks
• Underwear
• Beanie Babies (They are giving them to the kids)
• Brown or Tan T-Shirts L & XL
• Ziploc Bags Gallon Size
• Stationary
• Envelopes (no stamps needed)
• Pens
• Disposable cameras
• Prepaid phone cards. (AT&T is good in Kuwait)
• Cigarettes
• Q Tips
• Pipe Cleaners
• Deck of Cards
• Uno
• Neck Coolers
• Flashlights (ones that clip on and small hand held)
• Battery Powered fans
• Small colorful calendars
• Portable Shower
• Blow Kiddie Pool
• iTunes Gift Cards
• Disposable Hand Warmers
• Stress Ball
• Yo Yo's
• Squirt Guns
• Frisbees
• Hackie Sacks
• Balloons
• Sidewalk Chalk
• Miniature Nerf Footballs
• Miniature Nerf Basketballs
• Slinky
• Bandannas
• Small Board Games on Keychains

Magazines:

• Fitness
• Fishing
• Hunting
• Boating
• Cars/Hot Rods
• Guns/Ammo
• Crosswords
• Word search games
• Anagrams
• Pocket Bible
• Paperback Books
• Soduku
• Rubik's Cube
• Madlibs
• Mail order catalogs, so military personnel can shop for friends/family back home.

Notes from us to the soldiers to let them know we are supporting them. They can hold a letter and read it again and again. They can't hold an email. You can include a self addressed envelope - you might get a pen pal.

Send small boxes - and check with the post office for the right way to mail them. Lots of mail calls makes a happy soldier.