Christmas care packages are an important reminder to your service member that you are supporting them during this season. While many outside support groups and even some corporations get gifts together for overseas troops, military family members have the special ability to remind the troops of their own home. Think of what kinds of foods, smells, decorations, or changes in atmosphere can be found in your home during the holidays. Remember to include any family traditions you might have developed over previous holiday seasons. Get the entire family involved in collecting items for the care package. The following are some ideas for what to include.

• Fill a small stocking with candy or tiny gifts. Stockings can be found at drug stores or craft stores and can be decorated with the service member’s name. If your family has a nickname for them, us it on the stocking instead. Sentiments like these are what will make your service member feel less lonely overseas.



• Look for a small, artificial Christmas tree that can be sent overseas. Small ornaments are sold through Hallmark or other companies, or cheaper ones can be found at dollar stores. Plastic ornaments and a tree that comes wrapped tightly are safest, because a “fragile” warning on a box can be ignored when such a long trip is involved. The downside to a tree is it may not fit in a flat rate box, and shipping can be expensive.



• Music is a normality that is missing in many service members’ lives while they are away. If you know they have access to a computer or boom box, buy or burn a CD full of songs that are only heard at the holidays. Go online or look at CDs at bookstores to get some ideas of seasonal songs sung by artists your service member will appreciate. Many artists have Christmas CDs available already!



• One of the most requested items from service members is food from home. Whether it is bought from a grocery store or made at home, keep in mind foods that will survive the long trip and hot weather. Cookies kept wrapped tightly or in airtight tins make it in shape, and the same methods can be used for fudge or brownies. Even if your service member won’t eat an entire batch of fudge, send them the whole box! It is the season for giving, and many of their unit members don’t have family capable of sending gifts.



• Coffee is prominent in my house during the winter time, and my father sometimes complained about how cold the nights were in the desert. Local coffee houses or grocery stores sell holiday blends and chocolates or biscotti that are made to accompany the taste. If your service member’s unit doesn’t have a coffee machine they can use, cheap ones can be purchased at WalMart for $10-15. Some run on outlets, while others use batteries. All your service member has to do is find drinkable water!



• Wrapped presents are the easiest way to give a service member Christmas away from home. Don’t send anything against postal regulations. Rule lists can be found on the United States Postal Service website or in any mailing office. Send gifts that will make your deployed family member comfortable, instead of things that might break or are hard to bring home. Bored troops enjoy Silly Putty, humorous books, Legos, footballs, hack sacks, and board games. Department stores often sell small electronic games that can be very entertaining. A careful search will uncover small versions of large toys or games that can be transported easily. Look for keychain remakes of water guns or other favorite toys.