Salty snacks are popular care package items.
Sending care packages to soldiers deployed in foreign lands has been a tradition for many years. Soldiers appreciate receiving a wide range of goods in several categories.
Food
Comfort foods not commonly available in other countries rank among favorite care package items because they often conjure up happy memories that may help soldiers cope with trying times. Cookies, crackers, energy bars, beef jerky, hard candies, chewing gum, sunflower seeds and nuts are preferred snack foods. Other sought-after edibles include hot sauce and seasoning salt to add additional flavor to prepackaged rations and powdered energy mixes to add to water.
Personal Hygiene
Moistened, disposable wipes are popular with soldiers for freshening up during long service days. Soldiers also appreciate toothbrushes, mouthwash, toothpaste, body washes and sprays, sunscreen, disposable razors and eye drops or eyewash help remove irritating dust. Spray odor removers keep living quarters smelling good. Female soldiers appreciate feminine products as well as nail polish, polish remover, and lotion.
Entertainment
Games and diversions are appreciated gifts that help pass the time. Travel-size versions of chess, checkers and dominoes provide comforting entertainment, as do CDs, DVDs, playing cards, crossword puzzle and word-search magazines, regular magazines and comic books.
Miscellaneous Items
Soldiers also value special care package items like hand and foot warmers, as well as simple accessories like thumbtacks, pens, stationery, envelopes, notebooks, AA batteries and plastic zipper-type storage bags. Disposable cameras and prepaid phone cards help soldiers keep in touch with loved ones.
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