When someone you love is deployed, distance can feel heavy. You can’t pop by to drop off dinner, share a laugh at the kitchen table, or give them a hug when the day’s been long.

What you can do, though, is send a little piece of home their way in the form of a care package — a box that says, I’m thinking of you, even across oceans and time zones.

Whether your spouse is serving on foreign shores or your parent is aboard a ship halfway around the world, the key to a great care package is thoughtful, personal, and practical items that will brighten their day and keep you both feeling connected, no matter how far away you are.

At Homefront, we know that bridging the distance can be tough — that’s why we’ve created this guide to help you put together a creative care package that will let your loved one know how much you mean to them, which can make even the toughest days just a little bit brighter.

In this blog:

Step 1: Know the Rules Before You Pack

Sending a care package to a loved one only to have it returned months later can be disheartening, to say the least. So, before you start tossing things into a box and slapping packing tape over the top, it’s best to check shipping regulations and military mail guidelines. Different locations may have restrictions on:

Perishable foods
Aerosol products
Alcohol
Lithium batteries
Certain toiletries with high alcohol content

APO/FPO/DPO addresses also have size and weight limits, so grab a USPS Flat Rate Military Box for convenience — shipping is often discounted for service members.

Step 2: Build the Foundation — Comfort & Practicality

Life on deployment is rarely luxurious, so receiving small comforts can make your loved one feel like they’ve just opened a treasure chest with all kinds of goodies.

Practical items don’t just make life easier — they also show that you’re thinking about their daily struggles. Consider some of these items:

Quality socks – Moisture-wicking, cushioned, and durable.
Microfiber towels – Quick-drying and lightweight.
Lip balm & lotion – Sand, wind, and constant sun take their toll.
Foot powder – A humble but essential item, especially in hot climates.
Reusable water bottle or coffee thermos – Practical and morale-boosting.

These items might not be flashy, but they’ll be used daily — and they’ll remind your loved one you care about their well-being.

Step 3: Add a Taste of Home

Food is powerful. One bite of a favorite snack can transport someone straight back to the couch on a lazy Sunday or drop them into a cherished childhood memory.

Here are some great go-to snacks for care packages:

Shelf-stable favorites – Beef jerky, trail mix, dried fruit, protein bars, peanut butter packets.
Fun treats – Hard candies, gummy bears, snack cakes (sealed and individually wrapped).
Homemade baked goods – If shipping time is short, try dense, non-crumbly items like vacuum-sealed cookies or brownies.
Spices & condiments – Small packets of hot sauce, seasoning blends, or powdered drink mixes to add variety to mess hall meals.

Tip: Wrap snacks in zip-top bags to prevent crumbs and smells from spreading to other items.

Step 4: Lighten Things Up With Entertainment

Deployed life can often come with long stretches of downtime between bursts of intense activity. During those quiet moments or after harder days, a bit of entertainment can lift your loved one’s spirits and help to create a sense of normalcy.

Here are some easy-to-pack portable entertainment options to help keep things light for your loved one:

Paperback books – Choose lightweight reads or short stories.
Puzzle books – Crosswords, Sudoku, or word searches.
Card games or travel games – Compact and shareable with teammates.
USB drive with photos & videos – Preload with family updates, vacation clips, or home videos (check that USB use is allowed at their location).
Magazines – Hobby-related or news from back home.

Step 5: Send a Personal Touch

The most meaningful part of any care package is you — Handwritten letters, scribbled notes from the kids, or the silly family photos tucked between snack bags, these keepsakes carry more weight than any physical item because they represent love and connection.

There are plenty of personal things that you and your loved ones can come up with for a great care package, but here’s a jumping-off point to get you started:

Handwritten letters – Even in our digital age, there’s nothing like holding a real letter from home.
Kids’ drawings – If you have little ones, include their artwork. Even the most abstract crayon scribble becomes priceless.
Themed photos – A “day in the life” photo series, family portraits, or silly group shots.
Small mementos – A keychain from your town, a patch, or a charm with personal meaning.

Step 6: Get Creative with Themes

A themed care package can make the unboxing experience even more special by adding a sense of surprise and fun to the unboxing experience.

Try out these themes for a bit more fun than just your average unboxing:

“Movie Night” Box – Microwave popcorn, candy, a DVD or digital movie code, and drink mix packets.
“Self-Care Kit” – Face wipes, soft socks, stress ball, lotion, soothing tea.
“Game On” Box – Card games, small puzzles, snacks, and drink mix.
Holiday in a Box – Decorations, seasonal snacks, and a note sharing how you’re celebrating at home.

Step 7: Protect & Package

Careful packing ensures your thoughtful gesture doesn’t get lost in transit or worse. Fragile items need ot be protected and consumable items need to be kept as fresh as possible.

Here’s how to keep things from going awry when your care package is on the move:

Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap or clothing.
Use resealable bags for anything that might melt or leak.
Fill empty spaces with crumpled paper or fabric to prevent shifting.
Write a packing list to tuck inside the box so your loved one can see what’s included.

Step 8: Include a Little Surprise

The best care packages have an element of surprise. It doesn’t have to be big — maybe it’s a funny toy from a dollar store, a joke tucked inside an envelope, or something related to an inside joke only you share.

These surprises remind your loved one that even from far away, you’re still sharing laughter and lighthearted moments. Small tokens like these can break the monotony of deployment life and bring a smile on a tough day. Never underestimate the power of humor and playfulness when the days are long and stressful.

Step 9: Timing & Consistency

Deployments are long, and the excitement of mail call never gets old, which means that one large package is great, but a steady flow of smaller packages can be even more powerful.

Here’s how to keep your care packages consistent for loved ones on longer deployments:

Send smaller packages more often rather than one large one.
Mark certain items with “Open Now” and others with “Save for Later.”
Plan a special box for halfway through the deployment — a little morale boost to get them over the hump.

You Are Never Alone

Care packages are more than a collection of snacks and supplies — they’re a tangible connection to home, a reminder that no matter the miles, they are loved, missed, and remembered. Whether you fill your box with the practical or the whimsical, the real gift is the time and thought you put into it.

So grab that box, tape it up with love, and send it on its way. Somewhere far away, a spouse or parent will open it, smile, and feel a little bit closer to home.

With Homefront, you’re never alone, and until every seat at the table is full again, we’ll keep finding ways to bridge the distance — one care package, one letter, and one small act of love at a time.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOMEFRONT

About Guardian Revival

Guardian Revival is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that improves the mental health & well-being of military, veterans, and first responders — our guardians — and their families, at no cost to them.

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