So now that you are caught up on the initial adoption process, here is the fun stuff... packing a care package!
After emailing with my soldier and finding out more about his situation, I decided to pack a Valentine's Day Themed box. Now I know he is a male and generally Valentine's Day is a pretty girly holiday... so I had my work cut out for me to make it fun and masculine.
Step One: Go to the Post Office and ask for an APO Flat Rate Shipping Box. Not only is this one price to ship regardless of the weight, but you will get a discount for sending it to an APO address! The boxes have a logo on the side that says "America Supports You" and "APO/FPO Flat Rate Box". Also it has a pre-printed label that is meant for the crazy looking APO addresses.
Step Two: I chose to decorate the inside of my box in a Valentine's Day Theme. I used my glue of choice Mod Podge and scrapbooking paper cut to the correct size for the bottom, sides and flaps of the box. I also printed off letters on white paper, cut them out, and glued them on the flaps. To do this I chose a fun font, typed out what I wanted it to say, and then selected the "Mirror" option under printing preferences in Microsoft Word. If you do not have access to a printer, I know Kinko's will print things like this for very cheap... a few cents a sheet.
Step Three: This is the best part...Selecting what goes in the box! There are lots of great ideas for packing boxes on Pinterest as well as lists of what to send and what not to send. I have included one of the lists below (courtesy of www.playdatewithpurpose.com) but do some digging and create your own. Also make sure to check the weather where your soldier is stationed... I put mine on my iPhone but that is up to you. I went with red items instead of the more traditional hearts and mushy love stuff for my box... but again that would be up to you. Once you have everything purchased it is time to start the packing puzzle... keep working until you get everything in, or divide a few things up to send later. It is a learning process to know how much will fit, but you can always just send leftovers in the next care package!
Included in my box...
- Pringles
- Beef Jerky
- Strawberry Pop Tarts
- Pretzel Chips
- Conversation Hearts
- Kellogs Krave Cereal
- Orbit Cinnamon and Orbit Strawberry Gum
- Dried Cranberries
- Wet Ones
- Chapstick
- Large bag of Assorted Chocolate Candy
- Large bag of Twizzlers
- 6 packs of Hot Hands (forgot to add them when the group pictures were taken)
- Pork products are not allowed in many places so check all ingredients... Slim Jim's now include pork so they are no longer allowed
- Chocolate can only be sent during winter months, usually October-March or so
- Chips and things ship easiest in tubes such as Pringles... they are less likely to end up as dust when they arrive
- Make sure to put anything that could leak or might smell, such as toiletries in 2-3 ziplock bags... don't worry, your soldier will put even the baggies to good use!
- Remove any bulky outside packaging if you are having a hard time fitting everything in
- Leave as little wiggle room as possible so that things are not shifting during shipping
- If sending clothes, make sure to not pack them at the very top... most boxes will be opened with a box cutter or knife and you don't want that new shirt to end up with a hole in it before it is unpacked!
- Do not send any alcohol, even in the form of hand sanitizer gel... go for wipes if necessary
Step Four: I included a hand written letter letting my soldier know how much I appreciate what he is doing, and that I am thinking and praying for his safety daily. This part is totally optional, but I think seeing something personal like that goes a long way. For my card, I busted out the stamps and bakers twine to make it festive and fun... but get creative, add pictures or stickers, anything to make them smile!
Step Five: To ship care packages out of the country you must fill out a Customs Form. For these care packages use the one marked 2976-A. Again there are many step by step and video instructions on Pinterest as to how to fill these out and they just take practice. Make sure you include everything you are sending in the package under the Declared Description portion, you do not have to use a new line for each item, just separate them with commas. The APO addresses are crazy confusing at first but the folks at the post office are a big help, as well as the tutorials online.
Step Six: Tape up the box really well and then take it, along with the Customs Forms to the Post Office. Make sure they give you the discount for using and APO flat rate box, and then send it on it's way. You do not need to waste money on delivery confirmation as it does not usually work. Most of the time these packages are going to a base in the US first and then sent to the final destination, and so tracking will sometimes only let you know when it has made that first stop.
Hope this has been helpful, I will continue to post about new care package ideas and any good tips I discover.
