I was always that girl that used to say that I didn’t care for Valentine’s Day. My thoughts were, show me you love me the other 364 days of the year – not just because a calendar holiday says you should. That way of thinking changed the year I experienced Valentine’s Day alone, while my husband was in Afghanistan. I missed him more than ever.

 Luckily, I had prepped through January for an amazing care package full of goodies to send him so that he knew I was thinking of him. I came to realize through his deployment that those men/women truly do live and breathe for mail and packages. My husband would tell me how sad it was to see mail call and the people who never received anything. I couldn’t imagine! So if your significant other is deployed, take the time to send them a little something. It truly does make a difference in their morale.

valentinescarepackageideas

 Here are a few tips for putting together a great Valentine’s Day care package:

*Start off simple. Decorate the interior of the box. It doesn’t have to be over the top. You can just hand write some notes and tape some pictures on the flaps. (I personally don’t mind over the top, so I went all out. I glued scrapbook paper on the bottom, sides and flaps then used stickers, pictures & glitter to decorate.)

*Add in his/her favorite treats, but be mindful of the possibility of hot weather if you send the Valentine’s Day specialty, chocolate! My hubby preferred jerky, popcorn, etc.. as opposed to chocolate and candy. To each their own.

*Make sure to include a personal card from you with a handwritten note. I even sprayed mine with my perfume. Sounds cheesy, but he liked it.

*If you have children, include them on the Valentine’s Day fun. Let them make Daddy or Mommy a special card and add lots of pictures. We all know that time flies when your kids are growing up, so imagine missing out on 6-12 months of their lives. From experience I learned that you can never send enough pictures! There’s something special about having photos to hang on their wall versus just seeing them on a screen via email or social media.

*Don’t forget the extras! Just because it’s Valentine’s Day, doesn’t mean that they don’t want/need the staple items too. Instead of stuffing my box with tissue paper, I used new socks and underwear. He appreciated the small things like that the most. I also added some hygiene items such as razors, soap, deodorant, etc.

*Take into consideration the shipping time to ensure he/she receives their package on or before the holiday.

Remember, you don’t have to be over the top or a creative genius to put together a package that will mean more to your deployed Valentine than you truly know. ♥

chanityChanity Creech is a wife and mom of 2 married to her soldier and high school sweetheart. They currently reside at MacDill AFB in Tampa, FL. You can find more of her writings over at her blog Chanity.

 

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Krystel is the mom of two and an Army Wife. In addition to Army Wife 101 she is the Co-Founder of SoFluential.com a digital media agency that connects brands with the military market. She has appeared on MSNBC ,FOX LA and formerly was a weekly contributor to HLN's "Raising America". She has written for various outlets including Sheknows and Lifetime and is a big fan of cupcakes and french fries.

5 Comments on 6 Tips For Sending A Valentine’s Day Care Package

  1. I just saw a few of your blogs last night for the first time and was very impressed! My husband has been in the military for 15 years, 8 which I have been with him. I loved your personality, your input, and your oppinions.I also viewed other blogs that i found distasteful and quite trashy (not done by you). Just wanted to say thank you and I think what you are doing and the manner in which you are doing it is awesome! I look forward to hearing more of your blogs and veiwing your website, and will recomend other spouses to do the same. Have a blessed day and thank you again!

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  4. Perfect writing on care packages ideas or tips. In military care packages play important role for soldiers. As you said “how sad it was to see the people who never received anything” i am agree with you. I am also from military back ground. I know the feelings of soldiers when they received care packages. good work, keep it up.

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