By Angela Caban

The first care package I sent my husband was a disaster. It was a few weeks before his birthday and I had packed his present and a few other things that he had asked for. So to me, this was a special package. Well as I got to the post office, I had left the box open because I was all out of shipping supplies at home. So, I had dropped all the contents of the box all over the floor. Luckily, the postmaster took pity on me and helped out. He taped up my box and helped me with the mailing options. As I got in my car and headed home, I remembered that I did not put a return address on the box. Oh my! What if the box could not be delivered? All the contents of the box would be lost! Not to mention, I had turned down the insurance. I’m not sure what was wrong with me that day, may have been my nerves.

Now I strongly recommend having everything completed before heading out to the post office. Why? Because it will not only cut down on the frustration, but you are more likely to not forget anything if you take your time to plan it out and pack it up at home. So to avoid your own care package fiasco, I have composed this list of tips that are sure to help you out!

Tip 1: Mailing Supplies

The USPS has a program for military family members that will supply you with free packaging materials. All you have to do is call the USPS at 1-800-610-8734 and select option # 1. Ask for the “Military pack“. After my shipping fiasco, I did this and was sent everything I needed for the next care package. They provided me free of charge; boxes, tape, packaging materials and labels. Check with your local post office, as many are also participating in this.

Tip 2: Package Contents

Not everything that we may want to send is “care package friendly”. Stay away from these items:

-Anything that melts. It is extremely hot in Iraq and Afghanistan. It can reach up to 120 degrees or higher at times. It does not look pretty when the box is opened. Yuck!

-Ensure that anything sent in the package is rated PG or lower. Do not send anything “personal”. If you have to think about it, don’t send it!

-Leave anything that may be sharp, flammable or dangerous out of the package. All boxes are inspected. There’s no need for your soldier to go through any problems.

Shopping for items is so much fun, especially when you have a special request from your soldier. Here are some things you may consider sending that are “care package friendly”:

-Baby wipes

-Toothpaste/toothbrushes

-Shampoo, deodorant, lotion

-Soap, antibacterial hand sanitizer

-Body wash 

-Sun-block 

-Lip balm 

-Feminine hygiene products for military women

-Coffee, tea, hot cocoa mix, drink mixes

-Cookies, candy bars, gum, mints

-Small bags of snacks

-Chips or crackers

-Beef jerky
 -Cards

-Canned goods – Make sure they have the flip top lids!

-Music, video games for laptop computers

-DVD movies

-Envelopes, small pads of paper, pens

-Sewing kit

-Disposable camera

-Batteries

-Phone cards

-Books, magazines, newspapers

Tip 3: Packaging

Making sure that things are properly packaged and protected will definitely help avoid a care package disaster!

-Review with your spouse and make sure the address is correct. If you cannot reach your spouse, his Company Commander or your FRG leader should have this information. Double checking does not hurt; it will save you the hassle of getting anything returned.

-Use packing material to protect against breakage, spilling and hard handling. Great things to use are plastic grocery bags, plastic zip-lock bags, newspapers, and tissue paper.

-Use the proper mailing materials from the USPS. Stay away from used boxes with writing all over and duct tape. Overall it makes for a more attractive package and easier to read.

-When addressing your package use large bold print. Stay away from colored markers and stick with a simple black sharpie. Also do not forget to cover the writing on the address with clear tape, a great way to prevent smudging in case of moisture or water damage.

-The smaller the package, the faster it arrives. A tip given to me by the USPS, they recommend under 6 pounds. Overall today, packages can take up to 30 days to arrive at its destination. So make sure that you have your package ready ahead of time. They will take longer especially around holidays, so please plan ahead. For more, visit the USPS site.