Recently I've had a few comments from those who are also in long distance relationships...so, hello girls. :) We're in this together. I'm making a pledge to share more regularly my care packages, just a few ideas on what to send your guy. Sans the major holidays, in time it gets more difficult to put together a care package...don't you agree? Well, when it comes to packages: I'm a theme girl. Incase you've lost count, St. Patrick's Day is nine days away. Oh, what's that, you say? No one counts down to St. Pattys Day? As of 2011 this girl does. Given my international adventure to the Emerald Isle last August, I couldn't help but send Gabe an Irish-themed care package. I spent the last few weeks keeping my eyes peeled for anything green...and a little time convincing myself I could bring candy into my apartment without eating half of it. Here's what I sent: 1 tin of green nonpareil chocolates 1 tin of green M and M's Mint truffles 2 pairs of St. Patty's boxers (Do I share that? A smidge embarrassing, but there it is.) Apple flavored rock candy Doublemint gum Chocolate gold coins This St. Patty's shirt ...and some other green things I can't remember. Because I'm all about the wrappings and trim, when I spotted these downloadable vintage Irish postcards, I plunked them on cream cardstock and modge-podged the crap out of this box. I am not going to lie to you: It was pretty stinkin' cute. Like something you might find in a leprechaun forest. Gabe was impressed, too. Word on the street is the boys got a lil' jealous of Gabriel's care package. So, last night I whipped up some cookie treat bags for the entire gang. And yes. I'm in the midst of a torrid love affair with paper doilies. This year, I'm celebrating St. Patrick's Day in a much grander fashion than in years past: a dinner party. Although Gabe won't be here, we decided to start a tradition of cooking a homemade Irish feast each year...what with our tie to Ireland it only feels right. It might be a few St. Patty's days until we can do it together, so for now it's up to me to keep the homefires + traditions burning. This will prove to be especially interesting given that I never, and I mean never, cook. The only true homecooked meal I've enjoyed in the past year was either from mama or Gabriel, who is an excellent cook. I'll be on a return flight on the real St. Patty's day so I'll be partying a few days later. Say a prayer for me on Saturday the 19th. I might just go down in a blaze of Colcannnon and Shepherds Pie...but I'll die trying.

Today, I am so excited to have Chelsea guest posting on Jo, My Gosh! She is an active duty sailor and entrepreneur and her product is close to my heart-- care packages! Today, she's sharing some military care package ideas that service members actually want. Hello, everyone! My name is Chelsea Mandello. I am the

Care Packages... Parcels Sent With Love I have had many people requesting ideas for care packages. Yes.. this list has been truly in the making. My son and his section has assisted in compiling this list. As well, I have added a few things that I've sent along with some ideas from fellow military families. The main thing, enjoy creating and packing. One of the first things I do is line the inside of the parcel with a garbage bag. It will protect the box in case of leakage from your parcel or someone else's. (Thanks for the tip P.C. ) o.k... here goes: Toothpaste (Colgate Total Whitening preferred) Foot Powder (Gold Bond Extra Strength) Shampoo Body wash (a masculine scent) Deodorant (NOT ANTIPERSPIRANT!) they need to perspire. Toothbrushes (cheap spin brushes) Toothbrush caps (to stop the toothbrush head from getting dirty) Qtips (for hygiene and cleaning guns) Insoles (A BIG deal. They come in a one size fits all- cuttable size) Stereo Earbuds (these are always in demand and keep getting destroyed) Pens! (Blue, Red - if they can't use them they will donate them to those who can!) Plastic (clear) rulers - short ones Dental flossers Carbiners - they hold gear in place and you can never have enough. Pref. Tan, green, black but they can paint them Under Armour Socks - The new cadillac in socks. Will keep moisture out. Anti fungal foot spray - Important- stops athletes foot and nails from turning yellow. Always spray in their boots before sleep. Baby wipes/ Wet Ones- Anti- bacterial - for all your showering needs Magazines - Auto Trend, Auto mags, Hockey mags, sports mags, or of their special interest PSP games - They are for the Playstation Portable - guys spend hours playing them during downtime Sudoku - everyone's doing it Crosswords Brainteasers flipflops for the shower Use a theme for your care packages. Either follow seasonal themes or get creative with entertaining themes like “cocktail party”, “romance”, “motorcycles”, etc. With this rotation, I have created "Theme Packages" Examples below: "Tea for 8" - Different types of teas (eg. gun powder tea, cream pear, maple cream, chocolate tea), self sealing teabags, a metal teapot, tea buiscuits, honey, sugar cubes, serviettes and teaspoons. "lift those pinky fingers!" "Movies at the FOB" - I created admit tickets for the section, popcorn, popcorn containers, a couple of comedies, Junior Mints and M&M's "A Taste of Maple.. A Taste of Canada" - Maple syrup, maple candies, maple sugar, maple coffee, maple tea, maple cookies.. and a Maple Leaf that I had pressed from home. "Rub a Dub Dub - Time for a Scrub" - toothbrushes, toothpaste, deoderant, foot powder, wet ones, shampoo/body wash (a container that's for both), soaps, insoles, rubber duck Keepin' it Hot.. Keepin' it Warm (for the cold season)- hot chocolate (Tim Hortons), marshmallows, cappacino mix (Tim Hortons), Mitt warmers, pepper jelly, jalepeno spice mix, hot sauce, Maxim Magazines (a HUGE thing for a mom to reach up and buy) Munchies Madness - chips, nuts, homemade trailmix (peanuts, almonds, dried cranberries, raisins, m&m's), Smartfood (popcorn), hard candies, etc. Deck the FOB with boughs of holly (Christmas in a box) - small Christmas tree, solar Christmas lights, unbreakable balls, tinsel, etc Other things I've sent: Photo ornament (a big ornament that allows you to download up to 70 pictures for a slideshow) I uploaded pictures of family and friends and some pics that would make anyone smile. There is a keychain available on the market as well. Small Photo album - with each letter I send a couple of pictures of the weather, family, the dog, gas prices, etc. to which he puts into the album A soft, luxurious pillowcase that a friend helped me embroider. I hand embroidered the other one - a heart :) (perhaps a pillowcase from home - they like the smell of home) A self inflating mattress - for back at the base -a little reprieve from the ground. Include light reading suited to their tastes. I've sent a couple of books. Comics or jokes that he can share with others A copy of the local newspaper (he can keep up with the news and prices of things) A calendar solar light with a yellow ribbon tied onto it DVD - I have recorded a bundle of favourite tv comedy shows or shows they are missing Beef Jerkey Pepperoni Sticks Kraft Dinner (don't send the ketchup - it explodes) Pringles (don't send the small snack size - the cans pop open) non aerosole shaving gel (shaving cream) pencils and sharpeners waterproof jotbook (book with waterproof pages for writing notes on - available at CANEX) movie clips of friends and family Tim Hortons coupons for soldiers in KAF Candies and decorations colaborating with the holiday. eg. Hallowe'en - treats, rubber spiders, snakes, masks, plastic pumpkins, etc. Liquids should not be sent if it can be avoided, but if they must be sent, be sure to at least double bag them. Zip-lock type bags are great for this and can be re-used at the other end. Old bedsheets (that do not need to come home after the tour) can make sleep a little easier. Pack them with acouple of dryer sheets in between thelayers to give them a fresh scent. Children’s drawings are always well received and can be mailed in parcels or in letters Chapstick (lip balm) Gum (Trident White or Excel White) Cookies Of course - with most of the items, he will share with the other soldiers and the rest he will leave behind for the incoming troops. NOTE: If you're a soldier or a family member or friend.. If there's anything you would like to add.. please... let me know.. let US know. We all benefit from ideas. Doesn't this picture tear your heart out?

What to put in a care package for single service members during a military deployment. Ideas for friends and family of deployed service members.

I get a lot of email. A. Lot. And I love it! It's fantastic to be able to be connected to military spouses, moms, dads, significant others (and the occasional grandma and grandpa) of service members. I field questions about relationships, help find resources, and answer questions about military care packages. But sometimes, I'll get

Let your friends know you care with these care package ideas for friends they'll adore! Make your own DIY care package or buy them.

Do you have a young student in college about to take final exams? Do you know any students who might need a little pick me up or some encouragement as they face a grueling exam week? As a youth group leader at our church I know and care about quite a few young people and […]

A care package is a box of goodies (food, clothing, gifts, useful items, fun items, etc) that you mail to a loved one who is away from home...

Follow Clare's Contemplations on Facebook! I have the quite possibly the world's most boring medical records-I rarely see the doctor, I have never stayed overnight in the hospital (besides, of course, the birth of my children!) or had any type of surgery. I can only imagine what it would be like to be chronically ill, or to have a child with serious health issues. But, since I have a pretty vivid imagination, I can guess that it has to be pretty stressful, and scary and exhausting. And boring, in some ways. There is a lot of waiting, I'm told, when you have a loved one undergoing surgery or other intense medical procedures. And while I can't necessarily make the waiting shorter, or less scary, I am pretty sure I can try my hardest to make it less stressful and boring! Remember the butterfly shower? The sweet woman it was for delivered the most precious little girl-one with some weighty medical problems. The little girl is having major surgery this week-and I can't really know what the family is going through. But I wanted to help. So I suggested to our Bible study group that we put together hospital care packages-for the family! There is also a not-quite three year-old little boy- one who doesn't really understand what is going on, and will be missing his mom and his sister while they are at the hospital for possibly up to several weeks. My group was beyond generous, and I wanted to share what we came up with-in case you know someone with a similar situation. We wanted to provide some things for the mom while she was at the hospital- not just during the surgery, but also while she was staying there for the days of recovery. I figured she can share the snacks with her husband, although I don't know that he will appreciate much else! A sweet woman from our church made some excellent suggestions, she has a chronically ill child and really understands. Here is what we put in: -magazines -nail polish and file -fuzzy slipper socks -tissues -snacks (she suggested food that could be microwaved or have hot water added, so we put in oatmeal and packaged soup, as well as pretzels, crackers, and trail mix) -a book of word games and mechanical pencils -lotion -chapstick -a fuzzy blanket (sometimes those waiting rooms can be cold!) -a small bottle of laundry soap (there are machines for family members to do wash) -gum not pictured: later the woman who made the suggestions added a towel (she said the hospital ones are horrible!) and some toiletry items. She suggested brown paper bags and a sharpie to label food with-there are often communal refrigerators, so it helps to keep things organized. She also said that a list of nearby restaurants that deliver would be helpful-especially since the hospital is over an hour away from our city. We included several gift cards for various restaurants- I figured they could use them while at the hospital or after they come home, but either way it helped out with a few meals! We probably had the most fun putting together the bag for the little boy. I don't even have everything pictured-it was like Christmas! I think he will be able to be entertained for a long time. I figured he won't use everything at the hospital, but whoever is taking care of him during the days his mom is gone (his dad, or relatives) will appreciate having some new things to bring out to keep him occupied. We put in: -coloring book and crayons -small picture book -cardboard tray puzzle -hand santizer -Squinkies (little toy people) -Play Doh (the round container in the back) that came with molds and accessories -snacks (yogurt raisins, Go-Go Squeeze applesauce, perfect since it doesn't require a spoon, cheese crackers, fruit snacks) -reusable/disposable cups -Tummy Tickler drink- these are great because they are filled with apple juice and are reusable, and also one of the most spill-proof cups on the market. -"army men" toys -Play pack with stickers and activity book -cookie tray, that could be used for holding snacks or coloring books, or playing with Play Doh. Not shown: fun mustache straws, socks, magnetic letters for the tray, and a bunch of other little things that I didn't have time to take photos of! And I wanted some activities for him to do. I have been working on a "Busy Bag" board on Pinterest for a long time. My son is a little too old for most of them now, but I still like adding to the ideas. It turned out to be providential, because I found some great things to make for the bag! I made: -a button "snake" pieces of felt that you thread on a ribbon with a button stitched on the end. You cut slits in the felt and then the child can put them onto the ribbon. The button keeps them from falling off. I hot glued the angled end of the ribbon to make it more sturdy. - "Pom Pom Stuff In"- I cut a small hole in the lid of a plastic container and covered the rough edges with tiny pieces of duct tape (so they wouldn't be sharp) and filled it with pom-poms. He can push the pom-poms in through the hole. The pom-poms can also be used with the number cards. -Domino Counting Cards- I printed and laminated these. They can be used with the pom-poms or with Play Doh. -Animal/Shape Matching Cards- I printed and laminated these as well. They can be used for simple matching or to play "Memory". Not shown: I printed and laminated a cute "pie" activity mat from this site- click on "Pie Playdough Mat" at the bottom to download directly. You roll Play Doh balls for a counting activity. I put each activity in a separate bag and labeled them with the suggested directions, that way no matter who is caring for him, they can help him to use each item. I had all the materials on hand for most of these activities, and while it did take a couple of hours to put everything together, it gave a really handmade and *hopefully* thoughtful touch. I am sure the family has plenty to do with all the details of the surgery and real-life concerns, so I don't know that putting together bags like these is a top priority. We are hoping that they will know we are keeping them all in our prayers during this time, and when they use one of the gifts they will know they are loved. Linked up at: "Wow Me Wednesday" at Ginger Snap Crafts '"Whatever Goes Wednesday" at Someday Crafts "Wow Us Wednesday" at Family Home and Life "Pin It Thursday" at Sweet Bella Roos "Blog Stalking Thursday" at The Crafty Blog Stalker "Thrifty Thursday" at Living Well, Spending Less "Craft Frenzy Friday" Craft Dictator

When my "little" bro was on his mission, {gah it was so hard to have him gone for 2 full years!!} all I wanted to do in that time was keep him close however I could. With some dedication and creativity, I managed to do just that via a blog, care packages {that were quite creative in content}, letters...etc. I wasn't as crafty at that time, {Full time jobs will do that to ya. Working ladies, y'all know what I mean!} but oh if I was, the things I might have dreamt up {or copied from pinterest ;-)} would have been so much fun to make and send out to him. Over Thanksgiving, my aunt approached me with a crafty gift idea {shocking as it may be, NOT from pinterest} that a friend of hers had come up with. She showed me the cutest little pic of a missionary-stocking that her friend had sent out to her own son in his Christmas care package from home. It was darling, so of course we had to make one for my cousin too! {He's serving in Texas right now, we're so proud of him!} There was no tutorial, but I'm a resourceful gal. ;) I printed off this simple stocking pattern that I had pinned last Christmas as a basic guide, {below} and got to work! Source: prudentbaby.com via Jamie on Pinterest The pattern I used. Super cute huh?! I love it. I wish I'd taken pics throughout the process so I could throw together a little tutorial, but alas, I did not. Next time maybe. :) PS. I know right, yet another glorious example of iPhone photography. Better days are coming my friends. **edit** Tutorial - no pics. :*( Supplies: White felt (1/4 yard should be more than enough of each felt) Black felt Ribbon (for the "belt") red cotton fabric (for the tie, or just buy a kid's tie to clip on, glue on or tie on) 2 small white buttons Tools: Hot glue gun Sewing machine Scissors Chalk (you can skip the chalk, but it makes it a little easier to be precise) Directions: Print off, cut out & assemble this stocking pattern on plain paper Using the paper pattern, trace the top of the stocking pattern onto your white felt, (so everything but the foot part) add about 4 inches to the top of the stocking beyond the pattern (So you have enough to fold down into a collar) and cut out 2 of these white felt pieces. Trace the foot of the stocking onto your black felt, and cut it out. (make 2 of these pieces as well.) Now you'll sew the first white piece to the first black piece to complete one side of the stocking. Do this right sides together, and use 1/4" seam allowance or smaller if you comfortably can. For the back, repeat step 4, but first align the pieces to make sure they will face the right way so you don't end up with seams on the outside of your stocking! :) Lay out the front piece, with the front side facing you. Measure the width of your stocking, and add 1 inch. This will be the length of your ribbon. Using a thin line of hot glue, attach the ribbon to the seam where the black bottom and white top meet, leaving 1/2 in overhang on each side of your stocking front. Wait for the glue to dry. (The overhanging ribbon will be sewn into your seam and will give the stocking a much more polished look.) With right sides together, sew the front and back of your stocking together. *Don't sew all the way up the sides! Leave that extra 4 inches we added to the top un-sewn. Turn stocking right side out. Fold the extra felt on top down so it over-laps by about 2 inches. Find the center of the stocking, and make a 2 inch cut in the fold. Now fold the collar back up, DO NOT turn inside out. Cut a 4 inch strip of ribbon, fold it in half (right side facing out) and pin it between the unsewn edges at the top of the stocking, (raw edges sticking outside of the seam, with the loop inside the stocking.) This will be the hanging loop! Sew together the 4 inches we left unsewn in step 8, bringing the stitch in at a slight angle through the last inch on each side. (This will keep the "collar" from flaring out when it is finished!) Fold the collar down. (The hanging loop of ribbon should be facing up and out, with the seam hidden under the fold) Adjust the corners of the collar as desired, and using a teeny dab of glue on each, tack them down so they give that slightly raised/rounded collar flap-look. Glue the small white buttons to the collar points. Position and attach the tie. (I free-handed my tie, it was super basic. You could even cut a tie-shape out of red felt and call that good. Here's a fabulous tutorial on making a child-sized tie if you're feeling extra crafty!) Source: veryhomemade.blogspot.com via Jamie on Pinterest ... Done. (You can add a name tag, or not... whatever you feel like doing!) :)

Care packages can be expensive. Really expensive. Shipping, even with Priority Boxes is pricey... and then you still need to fill them.I will be very honest: I was pretty bad at staying in a budget while shopping for John's care packages, although I know I didn't spend as much as other people do. Depending on

Hey yall! Honestly, getting a care package from your family is the best thing you could receive in college. I remember getting my first care package my first semester of freshman year. It was the c…

Halloween Care Package Printables: Dress up your halloween care package with printable halloween gift box decorations and printable halloween gift tags.

It's probably no surprise that I love dorky puns. They are so much fun-- especially when you're working with a long deployment and not feeling particularly creative. So here you go-- 102 puns, broken into topics and some with suggestions of what to put with them! Write them on sticky notes and attach to different products,

Sending care packages gets expensive.. save money by getting free stuff! Here's how to get free products for military care packages!

I know, I know. It's only October. You're still enjoying your Halloween decorations and PSLs. Me too! I'm not trying to jump the gun. If you've got a loved one deployed, you're already thinking about the Christmas box you're going to send. And you're going to want to send it sometime in the next month

Relationship Quotes sayings about life. We collected the best 337+ Relationships Quotes with images. "If you love someone, set them free. Health is the

an interior designer's take on life as an Army wife, mom and DIYer. Moving tips, trends, diy, travel and more

I'm Your Girl ... **DETAILS: -5.50 x 4.25 folded card -Natural white recycled envelope -Printed on matte white premium card stock -Blank inside for your own personal message **SHIPPING: -Ships via First Class Mail within 1-2 business days -Carefully packaged in a waterproof cellophane sleeve **QUANTITY: This listing is for ONE card. If you would like a custom set of cards at a wholesale price just send me a message and I will set up a quote and custom listing for you. All Items were created by the Seller: © 2015 Vintageous Paper Goods, Inc.-All Rights Reserved

I sent my husband a box for each month that he was gone on a hardship tour in the Army. Check out this awesome year of care package ideas!

Lay out of all the objects that went into Max's box this time! Contents: 1 Men's Health magazine 1 pair boxing gloves & wraps 1 pair H&M shorts Popeye Challenge Coin Open When Letter Stack Wet Wipes 6 packs of apple cinnamon nuts Fudge Stripes Cookies Pepper Jack Cheezits 24 Nature Valley bars Cajun Beef Jerkey Scorpion Sucker Assorted Candies I recently traveled to Phoenix, AZ to visit some family, and while there got him some super spicy beef jerky and this scorpion sucker! The stinger has been removed.. but I still hope he doesn't actually eat it, that would be gross. The Open When letters!! I have seen these all over Pinterest before and have been dying to try them! I finally got a chance to for this care package, I included 22 cards for various times that he might need them. Of course I put the very first ''open now'' card on top so he can understand how this thing works! All the cards! I used a combination of pictures of us, family, things we have done/been to, and a few off the internet to help give visuals to associate for whatever I wrote on the front of the envelope! Here are a few of them close up! Once deployment is over I'll be just graduating and move to Pearl Harbor to be with him, incase you were wondering about the Aloha Christmas! Next year it's an 80 degree holiday for us! :D Plus, as far as the other card, what is more inspirational than the Northern Lights?! (That may be just us though haha) This was a card to open for when he was bored, so I have a list of things as far as some pre-wedding planning for him to do. Yes, we had a super awesome and lovely elopement- but in the next year or so we are going to have our "party wedding" as we're calling it with all of our friends and family, so I'm getting our planning started hah. List of all the cards I made, I know it's a little hard for the gold writing to transfer in picture, so here is a list of all the cards: Open When... NOW You miss me You feel alone You're angry You're bored You need an extra push You miss comics You've had a shitty day You miss me again You need to feel appreciated You need to know how much I love you You need motivation You're sick _____ is being a douche (name omitted) You need a study push You've had a good day It's Thanksgiving You need amusement You need a good laugh It's Christmas There were a few more too, but I'm not adding those to the list because I'm sure you can guess why! Lilly decided I was ignoring her too long I guess.. All the goodies packed into the box!! Here is everything packed all nicely into the box! I know before I've shown pictures where I have it look all cute.. haha but this is once I have removed all the items from their packaging and pack as many things as possible in! This is how it looks right before I tape it shut and sent it off to my man! Oh, I suppose I should also explain the "ONE YEAR DOWN" part! This week was Max's one year of being in the U.S. Navy! Yay!! So much has happened in the last year it really does just blow my mind, I look so forward to everything else we have coming up in the next few years! Our adventures are going to be amazing, I can guarantee you that! Getting SO excited to make the next one already!