# What should I send to a soldier stationed in Iraq? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 21, 2004, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-send-to-a-soldier-stationed-in-iraq/265336 "2004-09-21T15:51:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-send-to-a-soldier-stationed-in-iraq/265336/1 "2004-09-21T15:51:52Z")
A family member has recently been deployed to Iraq, and we would like to send a care package, but are unsure what would be useful and appreciated, and what is unnecessary or prohibited. Does anybody have a link to a page with guidance on this sort of thing? Your personal experience would also be appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-send-to-a-soldier-stationed-in-iraq/265336/2 "2004-09-21T16:01:17Z")
A Google search on the thread title found [this](http://groups.msn.com/campdoha/carepackages.msnw) fairly lengthy list of do’s and don’ts. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-send-to-a-soldier-stationed-in-iraq/265336/3 "2004-09-21T16:09:13Z")
A wig, fake beard, business suit, cab fare to Monaco, and a passport under the name of Bruce Abdul Karim Aziz III. Oh yeah, and baby wipes. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-send-to-a-soldier-stationed-in-iraq/265336/4 "2004-09-21T17:30:01Z")
I’m sure he’d appreciate phone cards. I get lots of $10.00 phone cards because of work and rarely use em because my cell phone has a great plan for nationwide roaming. Since work doesn’t want em back, I’ve started giving them to a lady I know who is a member of the local American Legion Auxillary because she collects them and sends them to service men and women stationed overseas. They’re good for 120 minutes and a lot of them are rechargeable if someone wants to do so. I think they’d be really welcomed. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-send-to-a-soldier-stationed-in-iraq/265336/5 "2004-09-21T18:03:32Z")
Get him a pocket tool kit, like a Leatherman or a really good Swiss Army Knife. The Service doesn’t issue pocket knives, & you’d be suprised how often having a tool close to hand could save a life. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-send-to-a-soldier-stationed-in-iraq/265336/6 "2004-09-21T18:04:13Z")
When I was in the service, paperback novels were always in great demand. ---
**Author:** ![monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monster)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-send-to-a-soldier-stationed-in-iraq/265336/7 "2004-09-21T18:15:44Z")
I did a care package a few months ago, and off the top of my head, I sent… Jolly Ranchers Gummy worms Baby wipes Shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, mouthwash, tissues, hand sanitizer (travel sizes) Mixed nuts Chex Mix Magazines (Glamour, Entertainment Weekly, Sports Illustrated) Puzzle book Chapstick I’m sure I’m forgetting something, but mostly that’s it. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-send-to-a-soldier-stationed-in-iraq/265336/8 "2004-09-21T18:26:23Z")
Little girls and ponies. At least that’s what the thread below this suggested. ---
**Author:** ![SnakeSpirit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snakespirit/32/7271_2.png) [@SnakeSpirit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakeSpirit)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-send-to-a-soldier-stationed-in-iraq/265336/9 "2004-09-21T23:23:45Z")
A plane ticket to Las Vegas, from Bagdhad. New York of San Francisco (or Honolulu) would be good, too. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-send-to-a-soldier-stationed-in-iraq/265336/10 "2004-09-22T00:06:56Z")
Check out [anysoldier.us](http://www.anysoldier.us/index.cfm) for some ideas. This organization cooperates with specific military men & women who agree to accept donations for their troop, platoon, whatever. Even if you don’t go through this group, it will give you a good idea of the kinds of things folks request, and also things that under no circumstances should be sent. ---
**Author:** ![tsarina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@tsarina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tsarina)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-send-to-a-soldier-stationed-in-iraq/265336/11 "2004-09-22T02:17:27Z")
Make sure you don’t send hand sanitizer with alcohol in it, such as Purell. Come to think of it, I don’t know if any hand sanitizer doesn’t contain alcohol, so you’re best off just sending wet wipes. My guy in Baghdad likes Pepperidge Farm cookies and Maxim magazines. 😃