Do they read? How about a couple paperbacks? Cookies do ok, I think. I sent some to friends in Desert Storm, packed in air popped popcorn. They ate the packing too! Hometown newspaper, a long letter. Having lived far away from home and spending most holidays alone in the military, the long letter is the best gift you can send.

Someone told me they like to have those little sample size kleenexes so they can easily carry them.

Family pictures including the pets! My son even asked for pictures of the house, yard, pond and pool. Calling cards, magazines. Mints, dvds, can't think of much more right now.

They have a list of suggestions what to send & what can't be sent & even mailing help at Adopt-a-Platoon.

This reminds me of another dear KT'r, Rumer, who passed away awhile back--bless her soul. She was so involved with doing things to help our troops.

Here is a link that might be useful: Adopt-A-Platoon

Thank you for all the suggestions. I'd not thought about kleenix (duh!). The g'son who will be in VA reads every second he can, but mostly sci-fi which is waaaayyy out of my league to know what to send. He will also write/email.

The g'son in Afghanstan doesn't do very well with writing, tho I'm sure his wife (also Marine) hears from him. But I can't 'not' do something for him. I figure anything I send that he cannot use will be readily passed on to, & used by, others.

I did find indiv. packets of Gatorade (add to a bottle of water) at WalMart last night, and I looked around for ideas on the single serv packets of fruit, etc.

Carla, an extra thanks for the link. It has SOOOOO many suggestions, and I've printed it out for reference.

Thanks, everyone, for all the help. I truly appreciate it.

jayokie, geared more to the one in Afghanistan (DS just returned)

Did you know there is a box you can get from the PO to send to the troops for a flat rate? Just ask the clerk which one it is, saw a note taped to one the other day when I was in. (wish I had seen it earlier!) Like the flat rate ones for the states what ever you put in it goes for the same price, and since the shipping adds up fast it may be worth it, I think it was around $10.50.

DS has been there 3 times... a couple of times I went to Chick Fil A ,Taco Bell etc. and asked them if I could take a few extra pkts of their Sauce,they all were happy to let me take a few extras, I got the ones he could use as "chip dip" treat. stuck them in a sandwich bag and used to cushion some other stuff. A lens cloth for his glasses

from the 88Cent toy & party favors section, yoyos, puzzles with the little balls you try to land in the holes,
the cookies that come in the 2 pks, individually wrapped twizzlers, (sm pks that can be eaten all at once so they aren't worried about sand or bugs getting in them)stuff in some sandwich bags for packing, he can use those to put other stuff in if you do send big pkgs. The pencils you don't sharpen, sm puzzle books to fit the pocket,

Ellie

We have maybe 40 DVDs that we've already seen and passed back and forth to friends.

We'd like to send them to the troops. How do I begin?

If you dont have a contact in the military, but want to support our troops,check the website AnySolider.com. It is a really great site that lists letters from soliders, shipping instructions, recommendations of what to ship etc.

I've heard also that individual packets of sunscreen, bug spray cloths, and wet ones are also needed.

Haven't been able to get here for several days; I have the box packed to go to Afgh. right after T'giving. I did get the special box from the PO. "My" PO volunteered the inform that it's $2 less to military addr so that brings it to 10.95. Every little bit helps. My neice's PO didn't offer that tidbit re: pkg to her step-son in Iraq. She'll be mailing from my mom's PO & not mess with hers. A friend gave me a gift cert he wasn't going to use, & that helped a LOT when I started buying.

I can't remember now what all I stuffed in there! toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, sanitary wipes, indiv. packets of kool-aid & gatoraid, snacks, etc. I even found 2-oz bottles of honey!! Had never seen that before. Think I might be able to get in a booklet of devotions. Doesn't matter if it's the 'right' date or not.....I usually read them on 'off' dates. :-) I included a couple of games....remember the ones with a maze and a small bb to get thru the maze? I found them last year on a Dollar Store clearance!!

I have the box FULL; plan to take it to the PO before I seal it to be sure it's ok.

The g'son I thought would be in VA will be 'in transit' and maybe, just maybe, be HOME for Christmas. But I'm fixing his Christmas w/ shipping in mind. I did learn that because he lives in a particular type barracks (training)...sorry, don't remember what my son called it....he can't have snack stuff because of 'vermin'. So! books & other things are being gathered!

I appreciate the extra suggestions. As we all share ideas, we can help each other and our military. I'll check out the anysholdier.com, too. Thanks for that link.