Do's and Don'ts of Military Care Packages for Soldiers
Sending a care package to your loved one deployed overseas seems so easy, doesn't it? You just box up some cookies, attach a sweet card, and it's ready to go, right?If only it were that easy.Sending mail to ships/units overseas is tricky for many reasons (slow processing, mail limitations, etc.) but one of the most confounding is this: unless you've been deployed yourself, it's hard to know exactly what a Soldier or Sailor might want.After two deployments (and a picky husband), here's what I've learned about military care packages.Try Not to Embarrass: You might think sending a life-size portrait of your toy poodle dressed in a ballet skirt is hilarious, but chances are your husband won't be laughing when he has to carry the cumbersome "pooch" back to his room and past all his friends. You never know where your spouse will open his package, or whom he'll be with. If you think he'll be humiliated for anyone to know you sent him pink boxer shorts, either don't send them or give him a heads up about the contents of the box. Similarly, if you're sending something that might embarrass YOU (uhmmm....pictures), make sure you don't surprise your beloved, or he might unknowingly cast your photos to a group of nosey friends peering over his shoulder as he opens the box. Don't Douse the Box/Envelope with Perfume: Women think this is wonderful, to spray perfume all over a man's gift or letter.
And honestly, our men probably like to receive the smelly treasures too. But when your husband has to carry that letter through three hallways and up four ladders back to his room, he may not be thrilled dragging a cloud of feminine perfume behind him. Remember, the military is notorious for issuing its members "call signs" or "nicknames" at their weakest, most embarrassing moment. If you don't want your husband to be called "Christian Dior" for the rest of his career, go easy on the scents. Steer Clear of Chocolate:When you send something via an FPO address, you never know where it will wait in transit before it gets to its destination.
Your carefully prepared box of chocolates may wait onboard a ship in the Persian Gulf before being delivered to your spouse -- if you don't want that package to be a big, melted, gooey mess, don't send chocolate (or anything else that can melt). Keep it Small: Keep in mind your loved one may not have much personal space in his overseas accommodations. Chances are good he has no place to store the giant smiley face pinata the kids made for him, and it will end up being a burden rather than a pleasure. Things that can be stored easily (small drawings and pictures, travel game sets) and things that can be consumed (food, toiletry items) rate high on most Soldier's and Sailor's lists. Keep it Personal: Remember your loved one has not been home for a really long time -- what might seem silly or boring to you (an audio tape of the children fighting over the Nintendo) will be like a little piece of home for your spouse.
Send things to remind your Soldier/Sailor of the things he loves (his children, family, favorite foods, taped reruns of his favorite TV shows). Make it Fun:
Deployed Soldiers and Sailors are working almost non-stop and with little new scenery or change of pace. They don't have the option to go to Barnes and Noble for awhile to "get out" and see something new. So bring the fun and the new to them. My husband always likes getting DVDs, CDs, books, and sports magazines.
He's also pointed out that it is hard to get a "real" American newspaper when he is deployed, so the local paper from home is always appreciated (especially the Sports section). Remember these Soldiers and Sailors are living without many of the comforts and conveniences of home. Therefore, mail call is a welcomed opportunity to receive something new and different to look at....things they can't get on the ship. Make it Frequent: Mail Call can be the highlight of the day for any deployed man or woman. Even something as small as a crayon drawing from a two-year old can bring joy to your loved one! Make it a point to send something....even if it's just a letter....as frequently as you can!.
++You may reprint the above column on your website so long as the following is included the URL address is actively hyperlinked back++THIS MUST BE INCLUDED: Copyright 2004 Sarah Smiley http://www.SarahSmiley.com - Sarah Smiley's syndicated column Shore Duty appears weekly in newspapers across the country.sarah@sarahsmiley.comNew Vending Machines ? Where And How To Buy Them
When you purchase new vending machines, you are getting the latest models with all the bells and whistles that make them attractive to customers. However, you do have to look for the cheapest prices so that you can save as much money as possible in the investment of getting started in the vending machine business. This is one of the businesses that is easy to get started with and you can determine the type and number of vending machines you do want to start with. For example, you can start with a gumball vending machine or one that sells sandwiches or other food. A simple online search will give you the names of the distributors that sell new vending machines.
You won't realize how easy it is to start a new vending machine business until you start doing the research. You don't need any business experience and you can determine the size of your business. The locations you choose will determine the types of new vending machines that you want to buy. For example,...
Chocolate > New Vending Machines ? Where And How To Buy Them
Best Friend Birthday Gift Ideas Revealed After Strategy Used To Find Unique Birthday Gifts Online
(ContentDesk) March 6, 2006 -- Many people over the years have grown a special fondness towards another person who can truly be placed under the category of Best Friend . These are those who know us inside and out. They offer a sanctuary for sharing our innermost thoughts and weaknesses without a fear on our part of being taken advantage of. They are a breed apart from the rest of humanity and deserve our attention when the situation calls for it.One of those situations is the birthday of this noble friend above friends. This is a time that we are given the opportunity to display our joy and gratitude regarding their existence on this earth and their profound effect on our lives.
Its an annual commemoration of the benefit of being associated with this special human being who has crossed the threshold of the common into the realm of Best Friend . As such, we now or will eventually need best friend birthday gift ideas to express ourselves in a manner that is particular to that...
Best Friend Birthday Gift Ideas Revealed After Strategy Used To Find Unique Birthday Gifts Online
Chocolate > Best Friend Birthday Gift Ideas Revealed After Strategy Used To Find Unique Birthday Gifts Online
Make Money In Your Own Coffee Business
A 2001 survey by the National Coffee Association indicated that over 100 million people drink coffee on a daily basis and that nearly 60 million more occasionally consume coffee. Based on average drinking habits, the daily coffee drinker will consume multiple cups per day - totalling hundreds of millions cups of coffee being consumed every 24 hours. Such enormous consumer demand coupled with the growing trend toward gourmet coffee presents an opportunity for the enterprising coffee lovers to take their double shots at generating income while working in an industry which makes their coffee passions percolate. Coffee-loving entrepreneurs can choose from a wide range of opportunities available to find ones that best matches their tastes. Interested in starting small? Start with a couple machines and a cart.
More grande ambitions? Consider a coffee shop franchise. The Specialty Coffee Association of America's "Market Report" forecasts that the number of coffeehouses in the U.S. will...
Make Money In Your Own Coffee Business
Chocolate > Make Money In Your Own Coffee Business
Shopping With Children
Is you weekly shopping trip with the kids an absolute chore ! or are you happy to take them along ?Lots of moms don't have any choice in the matter, if they don't own a car it can be sheer agony waiting at bus stops then struggling on and off buses with kids and a pushchair.Gone are the days when a helping hand was offered, and if the bus is full, no gallant young man will jump up and offer his seat to the harassed mom.Next step is the supermarket, a haven of joy to the youngsters. Low shelves full of goodies, long aisle, fantastic for kids to run up and down creating havock, even the most obedient child can't resist the lure of this playground.How often do you get home and find a few extras in your shopping bags that you hadn't noticed going through the checkout, usually things that you might never use, or of course the odd bar of chocolate or packet of sweets.If you are on a budget this can be very annoying as many families have to count their pennies.Have you noticed how many supermarkets...
Shopping With Children
Chocolate > Shopping With Children
Living Room Coffee House Joins San Diego Restaurants to Celebrate ?A Taste of Uptown Hillcrest?
On April 16, 2005, Living Room Coffee House in Hillcrest will join more than 30 restaurants located in Uptown/Hillcrest, San Diego to celebrate "A Taste of Uptown Hillcrest." This mouthwatering event allows attendees to sample diverse foods, wines and gourmet coffees and teas in the Hillcrest area. The Living Room Coffee House will feature a variety of foods and pastries on their menu such as Chicken Wellington, Quiche Lorraine, Vegetable Quiche, and Chocolate Decadence, along with select specialty drinks and flavored coffees. This coffeehouse prides itself on serving healthy and fresh foods: juicy sandwiches, homemade pesto tortellini, and a variety of salads.
Baristas make custom steamed eggs with croissant or bagel in the morning for patrons. Those on the go, grab bagels with lox and aroma-rich coffee or tea.
At noon, clients hold meetings, study groups or just sit and relax. In the evenings, it is time for celebration.
"At the Living Room, we celebrate...
Chocolate > Living Room Coffee House Joins San Diego Restaurants to Celebrate ?A Taste of Uptown Hillcrest?