5 GREAT THANKSGIVING CARE PACKAGE IDEAS FOR MILITARY MEMBERS

Having a loved one serving in the military during Thanksgiving can be difficult for all parties, but you still have options to help them feel close to home. Sending a care package is a great way to express gratitude and ensure your loved ones feel seen during the holidays. Below are five Thanksgiving care package ideas for military families to help spread cheer even when your loved one is deployed.

What to Send In a Care Package for Military During Thanksgiving

Nothing expresses gratitude quite like a gift, and military care packages are a great way to show loved ones you’re thinking of them. Here are five great Thanksgiving care package ideas for military members you should consider:

Note:

The military has plenty of things you can and can’t send when building your care packages. This might vary depending on where your loved one is stationed, especially when they are deployed outside of the continental United States. To learn more, be sure to check out our Tips For Sending the Ultimate Military Care Packages and avoid common mistakes when building yours.

1. Send a Snack

Salty, sweet, or a mix of it all. It doesn’t matter what your vice is, everybody loves a snack.

When sending your loved one a care package, you should include their favorite treats. There are several services that make that a possibility, such as this CRAVEBOX Snack Box offering a wide variety of popular items.

There are 50 different types of snacks included, and they range from healthy options to help hold them over until their next meal to the perfect junk food fix when you need a late-night bite.

2. Games to Pass the Time

Who doesn’t love a good game night?

While your loved one might be deployed and away from family, they can take advantage of spending time with their friends and fellow service members during the holidays.

While service members spend plenty of time training, working out, and taking care of their duties, there is still downtime to enjoy, which is why sending games as part of a care package makes so much sense.

Sure, we all have plenty of virtual entertainment but there’s something about playing games without the need of a screen or Wi-Fi that just feels right.

Featuring snacks, cards, and plenty of games, the ultimate game night gift basket is just a click away!

3. Homemade Bites

Just like sending a package filled with chips and candies is a great way to show you care, sending hometown and family-made favorites is something anyone will appreciate.

If you can, build a Thanksgiving care package for your military loved one and throw in some homemade cookies, or send specialty items from a local shop you know they’ll love.

Keep in mind that a lot can happen in transit and you need to think about all of the possibilities when sending food items.

Things that can be shipped will typically have a tight seal, are frozen, or preserved in some kind of way.

If you are sending baked goods, be sure to secure your package and make notes for your delivery service to help ensure it can survive transit.

Furthermore, canned goods are also a great option. This is especially true during Thanksgiving, as you can provide your loved one with plenty of festive sides to help elevate their dinner.

4. Self-Care

Military care package ideas for Thanksgiving aren’t complete without a bit of luxury for service members who deserve to treat themselves.

Being a service member means putting your body on the line. Even when you’re not on the frontlines, troops are asked to engage in a number of strenuous physical activities.

Self-care is a must, and everyone deserves to have their own downtime where they can recharge for the next day.

This wellness spa kit may be marketed for women, but self-care knows no gender. Help your loved one pamper themselves and enjoy a moment of zen to unwind from the stresses a life of service can bring.

5. Medicine

Believe it or not, one of the best ways to show you care is to simply send over some aspirin, Icy Hot, and cold medicine—even if your loved one isn’t sick.

Between the pains of training and operating and the fact that flus and colds tick up in the winter, troops have plenty of ailments to combat.

Accessing medicine isn’t always as convenient as it is for civilians, so providing them with some essentials can help your service member prepare for what might come.

The Sick Kit is the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving care package ideas for military members who can stockpile their medicine cabinet for a rainy day.

Related read:

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