cigs, headlamps, dvds, batteries, pics, movies, mini voice recoreder, so he can hear you whenever he wants.

My fiancee loved the single serve kool aid and crystal light packets and home made snacks like cookies. I know that they can get some of that over there, but for some reason he always made a big deal when thanking me for them and even shared them with his friends. Since winter is coming a blanket might be nice. Books, movies, games, and a silly card. I also sent my fiancee a stuffed animal. Random pictures of home will be appreciated too.

I can tell you something that I always loved, strange as it may sound, new socks. The feeling of new socks on the feet is enjoyable anywhere and over there it should be almost heaven. Just make certain they are the right kind.

Cigars you can send, even if you list them on the customs sheet. They love anything colorful, because it’s drab over there.

Anything you can think of. My husband and my of my friends are over there now. The one thing I would make sure of is to send plenty of whatever you decide to send because they like to share with their fellows soldiers whom the consider friends.

I know when I was there, I was wishing for an air conditioner in front of me at all times. Here is what some friends and family sent me:

1. Food that won’t spoil :Jerky, Cookies, Candy
2. Magazines, Books
3. Pictures, my girlfriend at the time made a poster of herself in a bikini…HOT
4. DVD’s/CD’s
5. PS2 games.
6. Anything to help pass the time or deal with the situation (homesickness, heat)

One friend of mine sent me a tiny little fridge (only big enough to hold a six pack of soda). That thing was great! I kept it in my tent right next to my cot. Of course, I didn’t want to lug it all the way back or mail it back, so I left it there. Otherwise, I’d tell you who makes it.

If he’s your boyfriend, send him a garter with some of your perfume on it. My girlfriend at the time did that. I was always taking it out of my pocket and smelling it.

Too bad that !@#$ left me for my best friend.

Movies and pictures from home, cd’s, dvd’s, and magazines out here are good. You appreciate even simple stuff like magazines out here. Find out his favorite non-perishable food (like beef-jerky) and send that to him, or microwaveable food cuz the DFAC gets old after a while!. Send him the most up to date music cuz Lord knows we don’t know what’s on the Top 40 out here! Anything from the states is nice, mail alone is enough to make a soldiers day out here! Spray the box with a really nice perfume, too. The smell of exhaust, garbage, sulfur gases, and sweat also gets tiring. Smelling something nice is always good:) Oh, water guns are sooo much fun right now, too!!! Send him a few so he can actually enjoy it, you know? Water balloons are fun, too:)

My son is in Iraq now and I’ve sent many gift boxes to soldiers… Here’s what they LOVE to get: high thread-count sheets (twin size), Army sheets are scratchy. Movie DVDs are always a hit, as are CD’s, games, and cotton socks (white crew). Snack foods are always appreciated, but be aware that whatever you send needs to be able to withstand high temps. no chocolate right now, although its fine in Nov. Tucking a cigar in the box is a nice gesture, but don’t note it on the customs form. Keep in mind, whatever you send, that it should all be able to fit in the 8.90 one-rate box from the Post Office. Sending items in other boxes is unbelievably expensive.

You’ve come up with two great ideas for his gift.
Other things might be some sort of cookies that dont melt such as sugar cookies or oatmeal cookies.
some sort of electronic game, such as solitare or poker.
a t-shirt with his favorite band on it, something he can wear when he’s off duty.
any personal items I would think, since they have standard issue supplies.
silly things you could get him would be balsa airplanes,
the plastic parachute guys, a tiny water gun, any thing he can play with for a few minutes and will amuse him. look in the dollar toy isle or the cheapie section of toys for these things.

SURE SEND ME SOME PICTURES I’M ALSO IN IRAQ