1st.day.of.giving

on the 1st day of Christmas
:: i gave away these things ::

We're sending a military care package overseas to Afganistan. The package includes two care bags I put together for a male and a female. They include basic things, such as :: tooth brush, tooth paste, dental flossers, combs, nail clippers, gloves, work gloves, tobogan, scarf, socks, pen, paper pad, puzzle books, twizzlers and gum. And just in the box I have a few other things :: soaps, hand sanitizer, ziploc bags, nutri-grain bars, uno game cards, Bible & devotional.

There are tons of ideas that you can fill a military care package with :: hygiene products, feminine care products, things to keep them warm for the winter they're enduring right now, candy (that can't melt), snacks, books, magazines, games, movies, cds, things to keep them occupied, calling cards, etc, etc. I did see where some were asking for ipods, laptops, cameras, and other various electronics. So if you're able to afford these items or have older ones you plan on replacing, but still work, they'd love to take them off your hands.

I found the person/troop & address I'll be sending our care package to on AnySoldier.com. Military persons post almost everyday things they need & their unit needs. You can pick who you want to send something too by various categories or at random.

You can google sending a military care package as well and find different websites that support these efforts. There are also sites that offer pre-packaged care packages & you just pay a flat fee.

So if this is something you're interested in doing get started on it now, you don't have to wait until someone or some organization is having a collection drive for packages or donations. But really, our military men & women would appreciate care packages year round, not just Christmas. They're doing an awesome duty for our country and deserve a little something in return from the people who appreciate what they do....the citizens of the USA!

P.S.. everything that is in my care package came from the dollar store, where everything was literally $1 each, and some things i was able to divide up. The Bible & devotional I have in there came from a thrift store for $1 each. The only things that cost more were the socks & uno game. Package it in a "if it fits, it ships" priority mail USPS box & you're done! (besides filling out a customs form)

Also, another side note...military persons prefer the items you send that they will be wearing to match the colors of their uniforms [dress code]. AND the socks I found are warm, they wick away moisture, provide cushioning & arch support.