What should I get my soldier Brother-in-Law for Christmas?
He’s in Iraq until next fall. In his spare time he watches movies (on the computer) and plays computer games. He doesn’t have a community TV or Game System. We were thinking about a GameBoy, but that is a little over budget.
When my cousin was in Iraq the family got together and sent a huge package to him. I think it ended up being 70 bucks to ship or something crazy like that.
What I remember being sent is: candy that won’t melt (no chocolate), cartons of cigarettes, DVDs (he had a small personal player), other food, books, calling cards, and other minor things noted in the second post (chapstick etc). Basically anything good to eat and things that will keep him from getting bored - cause as far as I know, you’re either out in some shit or you’re bored as shit over there.
When my brother was deployed in Afghanistan, the chow was great so he really didn’t need food items, although the case of Thin Mints Girl Scout cookies made him the most popular guy in Special Forces!
Portable DVD player, with a selection of his all-times favorites and any new stuff you think he’ll like. And a big-ass extra battery.
It costs money to ship a parcel to a serving member overseas? My son is in the ADF and is overseas at the moment (not Iraq, fortunately for him and for us) and any parcel >2kg is sent at no cost to the sender.
Why not pick up some new release DVD’s and some bargin bin stuff that he might like. Maybe some books on CD or even an MP3 player loaded with a bunch of songs that he may like.
Personally, I would probably send a bunch of lip balm. I am never more than inches away from a tube of petroleum based crack.