I have been dating my boyfriend for 3 years and for a year and a half of that he has been an enlisted U.S. Marine. Since long distance is hard, I wanted a way to show him I loved and appreciated him. I also wanted to challenge myself in being creative and not always showing it in the same way. So I decided to send him a care package every month for a year. This has become known by our family and friends as the “Kiana monthly subscription”. I love it! I have been able to inspire others so I hope this can inspire you as reader. Here are some package themes I created and used, as well as what I sent in them.
I paid for my supplies and boxes, however there are free resources available for shipments being sent overseas. My boyfriend has just been moved around the US for now, but click here to see what the postal service offers for deployed families. Also check out local businesses near you because often times, they will give you free items to fill in your care packages. Some companies even send out their our care packages if you sign your spouse or SO up.
Supplies
U.S. Postal Flat rate box $13.60
Sharpies to draw/ Write (you can also type and print it out if you aren’t a fan of your hand writing)
Copy paper, I used two sheets for each box the paper size fit this size box perfectly (cut one paper in half hamburger style and the other hot dog style)
You can also get scrap book paper from Michaels, which also works very well (I did this a few times; September box, October box)
Wrapping paper also serves a good cover of box flaps (July box)
Washi tape
January: “Distance mean so little when someone means so much”
Cliff bars (his favorite)
Orange Gatorade powder (also another favorite)
A candy bar
Trash bags (he needed them)
Festive socks (to keep the holidays going)
A shirt from my college (GCU)
Love letter
February: Valentines package “Roses are red, Cammies are green, I’m in love with a U.S. Marine”
Slinky (for shits and giggles)
Valentine snacks (twix, sweethearts, cookies, cheezits)
More Cliff bars
A love bug stuffed animal
Maine girlfriend gifs
March: St. Patrick’s Day package “Who needs gold when you have a Leprechaun"
Picture when I felt most lucky (when I got the nerve to ask him to the Sadie Hawkins dance 3 years ago)
Protein bars
Pop tarts
Jerky
Cookies
A blanket (sprayed with my perfume)
A map of a rainbow leading him to the gold (AKA me, I’m the gold)
April: Birthday package “The big 20”
Birthday cake Oreos
Sugar cookie scented glade plugin
Birthdaycake chapstick
Confetti
Balloons
Silly string
May: Summer package “Sending you a box of sunshine”
Sunscreen
Sunflower seeds
Jell-O mandarin oranges (his favorite)
Jerky
Fruit snacks
5 hour energy
Hershey kisses (they have different color wrapped kisses in party sections, I find these yellow ones at Walmart)
Love note
June: “One day closer one day stronger”
Throw pillow (Target dollar section)
Letters that spell out his last name (bought at Michaels, but I painted them)
Wall hooks
Wall putty
An American flag
Pictures of us
July: Independence day package “Home of the free because my hero is brave”
Fruit snacks
Slim jims
American flag bald eagle flask (Target)
Water gun (dollar store)
Red, White, and Blue Gatorade
Nuts
August: “10 things I miss about you”
A mini fan
Woopy cushion
Vanilla scented non lit candle
Gatorade
Strawberry Wafers
Pringles
Cookie mix and mug w/ instructions for cookie in a mug
Heart eye emoji toy
Notes for each number on box
September: “Just in case you are lacking Vitamin ME”
Protein bars (wrapped in paper)
Candy put in medicine bottles
Jerky
Old polaroid’s
Tissues
Nuts
October: Halloween package “It’s scary how much I love you BOO”
Skeleton balloons
Creepy spiders
Cob webs
Candy corn
Licorice
Googlely eyes
Popcorn
Caramel
These next two boxes never actually got sent, but I wanted to still give you ideas for these months and holidays. My boyfriends P.O. Box got shut down while he was sent to another state for training. They got rid of his mail box because he didn't check it... even though he was gone for something that they sent him to do... so annoying right?? This is a great example of how the military will throw hiccups into your plans. Do not worry when stuff like this happens. The best thing you can do is to just go with the flow and find a new solution.
November: Thanksgiving package “Thankful for you”
Nuts
A letter of all the things I'm thankful for him for
Pumpkin Flavored Everything
Football
frisbee
Fall leaves
December: Christmas package “I'll meet you under the Mistletoe”
Candy canes
Hot chocolate w/ marshmallows
Santa hat
Fuzzy socks
Mini christmas tree
Sweater
Fake snow
Mistletoe
I purchased most of my care package items at the Dollar Store, Target's dollar section, Walmart, and local grocery stores. I've read a lot of blogs that discourage sending non-practical items, like the toys or decorative items. This is probably good advice for sending care packages for your deployed spouse/SO. They probably can't have all this stuff laying around, but if your spouse/SO is moving from base to base like mine I think it was nice to have something to open and laugh at while they are away from home. I spent about $25-30 a month on each package, which was exactly within my budget.
When sending a care package remember to keep it personal. Send something of yours to give them something to hold onto or physical pictures, it's so different looking at prints vs phone pictures. Be funny, send gag gifts in the box that only you two would get. Practical stuff is also welcomed. If you know they need cleaning supplies or food, send them what they need. Whatever you end up sending they will love because they are able to open up a little something from home and get a glimpse of you at the same time. Send me what you come up with when you begin to create your own care packages!