Christmas Gift for Son Serving in the Middle East

My brother in law always told us to send more general stuff. That way if they are moved before the pacakage arrives then someone else can enjoy the box (there was also something about putting a note on the box that anyone could have it if he was not there). He said Swedish Fish were always a big hit but to stay away from anything that could melt (like chocolate).

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hi, i know what you mean. when my son was in iraq, i sent junk food, team logo football. frisbee, whiffel ball, etc. they try to find some time to be guy's. maybe a checkers set, small board games. kind of depends on the size box you want to send. mail it really really early. throw in a little tree. with some small homemade orniments. letters from family and friends. nothing you expect him to bring home. god bless him and your family. i know it is so very hard and scarey. pray and put him in gods hands. mom of 7, R.

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we're sending on to my cousin. apparently, he likes spam :) just make sure you put in lots of things from home - pictures from around town, coloring books with colored pencils so they don't melt :) beef jerky, silly string. things that are a little silly and will make him laugh :)

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My brother has been deployed over there off and on for the past five years.
According to him, the biggest needs are:
Things that remind them of home (your special cookie recipe, and handmade scarf -yes, it does get cold there-, letters from friends/family/community)
Things that are easily trade-able (again, cookies/snack food, chewing gum, etc)
Reading material (especially if there are any series he likes and new books have come out in it.)
Hobby material (my brother was into making chain mail- we'd send boxes of wire for him to cut and shape. He actually made window guards from it that saved his life a time or two from shrapnel while driving.)
Calling cards (if he doesn't have a cell phone) or getting his bills paid/family taken care of at home.

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My hubby is also deployed and has been during Christmas. I get him newly released DVD's to watch or some simple christmas one's to make them feel like it's Christmas! I also make Christmas cookies and send a bunch of candy! :) In the past when my hubby was deployed I've also sent him a miniature Christmas tree that light's up so he could have it in his bunk area! :) I hope these ideas help!

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It gets tough.
My hubby has done the last three over there and my son is in JApan.
They were sent Christmas cookies, magazines, the Easy Button (from Staples), Christams garland and a small tree with decorations, extra underwear and socks, CD's, DVD's, hand held electronic games (from Walmart), cards and card games (UNO, etc), charcoal handwarmers, photo album of home, books, books on CD, radio controlled cars, camera (my son), Phone cards, pillows
I sent a decorations box and a gift box and a food box. I have been to the PO so many times in the last three years the girls know my license number,

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When my husband was in Iraq, we sent him a very small tabletop Christmas tree and little things that if he didn't have room to bring them back, it wouldn't be as bad. We sent him prepackaged cookies (they stay fresher longer), candy canes, a rubics cube, little wooden "mind" puzzles, a deck of cards, just little things like that so he would have several things to open. If you know how long he had left, say 120 as of a certain date, make a box, fill it with hersheys hugs and kissed candies, tell him on Dec. 25th take one out and then take one out each day until it's time to come home!

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A photo album of home. Christmas pics and family will help him a lot. Good luck and God Bless.

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I would consider some homemade treat like cookies, a book or magazine that he enjoys. Quite a while back our church had several members, children or grandchildren of members etc... that were overseas. We decided to send phone cards so they could make calls home since they could not come home. I am not sure if that is still appropiate. Our younger children in the church wrote letters to them also telling them about things they were doing, Christmas plays, concerts etc... Hope this helps.

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Find out what they need most over there. One thing that is neat, is the digital frame, with pics of all of you. Anything that makes him feel better physically, anything good to eat and share, How about one of those incredibly soft throws? Good luck and god bless him.

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Dear V.,

First deployments are so difficult! My heart goes out to you for all that you're going through. My husband was deployed right before Christmas last year. So I know how it is to have an empty place at the table during the holidays.

I suggest making a special DVD with everyone that your son loves and cares for. You don't have to get everyone together at one time, although Thanksgiving get-togethers are perfect! Just capture everyday moments so he can be part of life here at home. Everyone can send their love and well wishes. You can video tape a drive on a festively decorated street he knows. If you're sending him baked goods (ALWAYS a great idea!) have someone video tape you making them.

When putting together his care package, add some holiday decorations like a strand of lights, garland, bells and angels.

Don't forget some fun gifts he can enjoy as well as some practical things like hand/foot warmers, cocoa packets, marshmallows, a Christmas mug and lots of candy canes. Try including reading, crossword and puzzle books. Wrap up little gifts and stuff them in a stocking.

Send lots of pictures, too! He can carry small photo albums easily, so grab one from the Dollar Tree and load it full of pictures!

I always include hand written letters and art from my kids. My mother-in-law asked the children of his old elementary school to write to her son. They jumped at the chance to draw pictures and write notes to a soldier far away that used to go to their school. I recommend keeping his address private and simply collect the letters from the teachers. This is especially wonderful if you could ask that they write to any soldier. Your son can pass out the letters to all the men and women in his squad, platoon or company. Our service members really appreciate the effort and kindness such simple things bring. Really, it comes down to letting him know you miss him, love him, stand by him, and REMEMBER him.

Make sure you send it out within the first couple of days in December so he can get it in time!

God Bless you!

Maybe a small photo album of things that remind him of home. Goodie box of all his favorite foods, gum, etc
fresh socks, underwear, etc
stamps, notecards, envelopes
phone card with a lot of mins for him to call you free
A tiny Christmas tree with tiny ornaments to let him enjoy the holiday too.
A journal of his famiy and friends signing their thoughts and prayers for him.
Some books for him to read
an IPOD with music loaded

Very sweet thought, let us know what you decide.

My good friend sends her husband normal everyday things they cannot get over there. She also sends extra because there are a lot of soldiers who do not have anyone sending them anything! Thank your son for me for serving our country! Good Luck with Christmas!