What to Send Your Soldier

The first thing to keep in mind is, and perhaps this may seem like stating the obvious, but 'what does your soldier like at home?' If he doesn't care for crosswords or car magazines at home, then chances are he's not going to fall in love with them while deployed. If he can't get enough comic books at home, then he'll appreciate you sending some. The second thing to remember is the restriction of space. Your soldier has a limited area for personal belongings, so sending a wall-sized poster or a Risk board is probably not the best choice. Keep it small and keep it practical.

If you're unsure of exactly what to send, you've got two options: ask him outright what he'd like or send a variety of things. With the first, the box is a guaranteed hit, but the surprise factor is not so much. With the second, you run the risk of him not liking it, but remember, if he doesn't care for it or won't use it, someone in his platoon certainly will.

Remember there are also restrictions on goods crossing the border. Rule of thumb: think like you're getting on an airplane - no firearms, no knives, no explosives, nothing flammable, no alcohol, no drug paraphernalia, etc. Save the booze and the fireworks and have a blow-out party when he comes home.

If you're trying to decide between sending one big box and several smaller ones, go for several small ones. Getting mail, and especially packages, is such a special time for servicemen. Remembrances from home will comfort him and remind him that someone cares about him and appreciates what he's doing. Send, send, send!

Just some ideas: eye drops, tissues, Tylenol, trail mix, dried fruit, packaged nuts, beef jerky, baby wipes, phone cards, magazines, books, crosswords, stationary, lemonade mix, hand sanitizer, candy (that won't melt), coffee, travel games, Cd's, and air fresheners. Another good idea is socks and flame-retardant shirts. This one requires you to ask him exactly what he would like, as size and style are important in this case. Don't forget the photos from home! These will really allow him to feel like he's a part of your daily life, and we all know it's the little things in life that mean the most.