How to Send a Care Package to a Loved One Overseas

Almost everyone knows a soldier who is deployed overseas. Sending care packages to loved ones is a small way to give them a touch of home.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. 
    
   Flat Rate Box

   Make a trip to your post office. Grab a few flat rate boxes, customs forms, and packing tape. Ask your postmaster if there should be anything else your post office requires to send packages overseas.

2. Flat rate boxes are usually the cheapest way to ship a care package, but it does limit you on what you can send in size. There is a strict guideline of what you can NOT send in a care package, and you will want to be sure to follow these. They are listed at www.usps.com.

3. If sending home baked goods, you will want to be sure to send in a tin, or something similar. There are many bugs that will get into these if they can. Also be sure to tape the box at all the seams. At www.usps.com, there is a link where you can request all of the supplies needed to send a care package and they will send it to you for free. This came in handy when my husband was deployed.

Tips & Warnings

• Koolaid On the Go, Crystal Light packets, and the similar are very good ideas.
• Pictures of home, friends, and family.
• Magazines or movies are appreciated.
• MP3 players
• hygiene products that comply with the guidelines
• Please be sure to follow the guidelines.
• Some things not allowed are- liquids, anything in an aerosol can, pornographic magazines, videos, or pictures.

[siennasands]

on 8/16/2009 Great information, especially hat USPS tip. The more care packages, the better!

[harrisdy]

on 8/11/2009 great topic... 5*

[cygnetbrown]

on 8/1/2009 Thanks for the tips for sending things over seas. I have several young friends in the military.

[delawaregeek]

on 7/29/2009 So important to send care packages to loved ones! They are real pick-me-ups! Nice work!

[hnatalieann]

on 7/28/2009 Very good tips! 5* and rec!