When your loved one is deployed, a care package is one way to stay connected while apart and boost your service member’s spirits with gifts and essentials, whether it’s a birthday or holiday to celebrate or you simply want to show your support.
From noise canceling headphones to gourmet coffee, the following list includes a variety of items that you can send in a deployment care package and the military discounts that can help lower the costs.
USPS Military Care Kit
Before you can even think about putting together a care package, you need something to ship it in. That’s where the USPS comes in.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers a free Military Care Kit with supplies for sending packages overseas, including boxes, packing tape and customs forms. Visit the USPS website to get your free kit, which will be shipped to you and arrive at your doorstep within two to five business days. (Expedited shipping is available for a fee.)
Noise canceling audio
Whether your service member needs headphones to listen to music during a workout or to unwind with a streaming movie, noise canceling headphones are the way to go.
Luckily, many popular companies like Bose, Apple, Sony and JLAB offer military discounts to help you save.
E-readers
Maybe your deployed service member loves reading, but books take up a lot of space and are bulky to travel with. That’s why e-readers are an excellent gift.
Through GOVX, you can get a military discount on Amazon Kindles. Another option for Kindles is the NEX. Not only does the NEX offer great pricing for military families, but they also have a price-matching policy.
And don’t forget to access e-books for free through the DoD MWR Digital Library!
Gourmet coffee and food
Does your deployed service member love to start the day with a hot cup of coffee? Then send some coffee thanks to military discounts offered by Black Rifle Coffee Company, Aerial Resupply Coffee, Alpha Coffee, Fresh Roasted Coffee, Bones Coffee, Fire Department Coffee, and Bonefrog Coffee Company.
Food is a great care package addition, especially non-perishable foods that won’t melt, such as beef jerky, tuna, trail mix, crackers, single-serve drink mix packets, nuts, and protein bars. But if you want to lean more towards gourmet food and gift baskets, you can find military deals at Gourmet Gift Baskets, Hickory Farms, and Cheryl’s Cookies.
Clothes
You can never go wrong putting wearable items in a care package. Whether it’s smaller items, like socks, gloves, and hats, an entire outfit or even sports gear to cheer on their favorite team, you can use military discounts at a variety of stores, including Columbia, XTRATUF, Free Country, PrAna, Kings Camo, and Fanatics.
Sunglasses
Another popular wearable is a pair of sunglasses. Oakley, Glasses.com, EyeBuyDirect, Sunglass Hut and SmartBuyGlasses all offer military discounts.
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