Shopping for a Deployed Soldier
Shopping for a deployed soldier can be a hard thing to do. You may be wondering what you can possibly buy for someone that is deployed. You will be surprised at the number of things that you can get for someone depending on where your soldier may be deployed. If for example your soldier is in a non-hostile environment, (Germany,Spain,Japan,etc.) the things you can buy for them is completely different than what you can buy for your soldier if he or she is in a hostile environment, (Afghanistan,etc).
The list of items that you can send your soldier in a non-hostile environment can include but is not limited to, clothes, dvd's, cd's, a small television set, game systems, laptop computers, personal items, and gift cards (they can use these to purchase items online). Often times living conditions are quite comfortable and somewhat home like when your soldier is on a base. When your soldier is deployed to a hostile environment, the items that they can have with them is very limited. I have found however that soldiers love to recieve baked items,cookies are a big favorite, snacks like jerkey,slim jims, and chewing gum are also good. They also find it very useful to get personal items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, travel size mouth wash, razors,soap, a sample size bottle of lotion, etc. Non-perishable food items such as instant coffee or tea bags, or those packets of kool-aid that can be added to a bottle of water. A small headset such as an i-pod with the music they like already loaded on it. Extra socks and underwear are nice to get as well as a hat or a pair of gloves for those cold nights. Don't send them big items or large amounts of any one item because there is simply nowhere for them to keep it.
What ever you decide to send to your soldier, you can be assured that he or she appreciates it more than you could ever realize.
Don't forget that although receiving gifts is very nice, the thing that they like the best is just to hear from you. A letter, card or note from someone close to them can help to get your soldier through some very tough times and make them feel not quite so far from home.
