When deployed

[BuzzF117]

Ok, I have a friend who is now deployed in Iraq and we have and will be sending some care packages for him and his roomates/bunkmates. What I was wondering what is the BEST stuff to send or what did you really like recieving. He has just gotten over there so it probably hasn't hit him yet what he would want or need.
For Christmas we sent 10 cards so he could share. A bag or Reese's mini PB cups since they are his favs and it's not 120 degrees now and they won't melt, 8 pack AA's for his cd player, Prayer devotional, book, bag of paper snow flakes so they get a white Christmas, Bag of Life Savers mints, and some hot cocoa packets and gator aid singel serve packs.

Any other suggestions?

[mpd525]

the best things to get, for me were like homade cookies, loved those. Im a magazine junky, so i enjoyed getting those. you can get some over there, but it's some what limited. The best advice i can give, if it's something that you don't think they can get, then send it. Again i'm a Dr Pepper Nut, so my parents would send me 2 12packs of the 20oz bottles about once or twice a month. Like i said stuff from home. Homade cookies are awesome, and muffins are great too. Just vacumm seal them, and mail em out.

[Navy OnStar]

Favorite magazines to read. Maxim, Stuff, Sports Illustrated, and car magazines are usually good to cover a large group of people to enjoy. Snacks of all kinds, we always wanted anything. Pictures of friends and family. Any type of game or something. I had a little handheld Tetris game I spent hours playing and everyone else used to too.

[Daved]

Books, magazines, Gameboys. Anything to take up time. Books and Magazines get traded.
Gods Speed. Safe return to all who are over.

[mpd525]

send a PS2, most places have electric over there now, so if he can come up with a TV, which is easy, or already has a PS2 over there, get games. I had mine sent over to me after a couple of months, and we had unit NCAA football tournies on it, it made it fun and time go by. If the person has a computer get games for it.

[Kingpatzer]

If he's joining a unit that's already over there, see if you can talk to him or find out what kind of game system they have. I guarantee they have one. Send any game that'll play on it.

Stuff to kill hours, and food that reminds folks of home are both huge hits.

Chess and checkers and domino sets all get plenty of use.

[fyrediver]

For starters, NO PEANUTS!!!!!! everyone, from moms 'n dads to school kids, put peanuts in everything. We had TONS and TONS of them, everyehere. I liked 'em, now, can't eat 'em. All of the other suggestions were good. Condiments; A-1, Tobasco, hot mustard were treasured and hoarded. Ask the folks if they go through their mail, 'cause your not supposed to have 'nekkid pictures, or booze. I know several who were sent booze, and didn't get caught, but if they are, its not a good thing.If a guy is into lifting; send his or her favorite supplements, less than 'roids, of course. You can't buy OTC nutes. Cheese was always ate up fast. Flushable moist towlettes are nice, to keep one feeling fresh. Pictures from school kids are nice. Local newspapers. Fresh socks. just getting something in the mail makes the day brighter, even if it is full of peanuts!!!!!

[BuzzF117]

Decks of Cards? I'm making a list!!!

[mpd525]

dominos, they'll wear a set out in about a month.

[BuzzGA]

My brother in law heads for Iraq on Thursday, thanks for all the suggestions. My wife and I have been collecting stuff to send over during his deployment (books, DVD's, etc) so he'll get a package from us about once a month. How long is it taking to get stuff over there?