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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Christmas package ideas for a friend?
Hey! One of M's best friends is currently deployed and we want to send him a Christmas package. M hasn't deployed yet so I'm a rookie when it comes to these things. I've seen great ideas for husbands/dads on here before, but does anyone have ideas for a single 25-year-old guy friend? I like the idea of a mini Christmas tree but am not sure what else to include.
Also, about how long will it take to get there? He's in Kuwait and I'm thinking I'll have to send it really soon, or maybe last week. So maybe this should be a New Year's package instead? And how much should I expect to spend on shipping a medium-sized box full of whatever? $30ish? I really am so clueless, clearly. Forgive my ignorance, MN
Also, about how long will it take to get there? He's in Kuwait and I'm thinking I'll have to send it really soon, or maybe last week. So maybe this should be a New Year's package instead? And how much should I expect to spend on shipping a medium-sized box full of whatever? $30ish? I really am so clueless, clearly. Forgive my ignorance, MN
Re: Christmas package ideas for a friend?
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Your best bet for shipping to FPO addresses is to do the large flat rate box, which is only $12.95 if it's going to an FPO, and is priority mail. I always send those boxes, and the one time I didn't because H needed a sleeping bag which was too big, I had to spend over $50 to mail the bigger box there. So even shipping 2 of those boxes would probably be cheaper.
I'm guessing it's probably the same for other areas as it is for the ships, but Christmas packages need to get in the mail like now to make it there in time. You could do the mini tree, or just any small Christmas decoration thing. You could do some homemade cookies or cake in a jar, or some of his other favorite snacks from home. What goes he like? If there's a certain type of book, or movie that came out you could send that, and/or magazines.
That's what I was thinking. We could buy everything on Thursday and ship it Friday. Hopefully that wouldn't be too late? And I love the flat-rate box idea. Genius! I'm sure his mom is sending him plenty of gifts, so it's really more "the thought that counts" coming from us. So maybe some Christmas decorations and treats?
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Yeah that sounds great. I really like KCD's idea of a stocking too.
Christmas tree and decorations are definitely appreciated. Cookies, snacks. T said the best thing I ever sent him was a sheet set. I picked up a twin sized one at Target for $15 (I saw them at Target on Black Friday for the same price).
Does he go outside the wire and meet with the locals? T did and would request things like pens & pencils and toys for the kids. The adults he dealt with just liked to swap food with him. T would give them cookies I made and they'd bring falafel, naan and chicken.
When DH was deployed last time he asked me to send a Christmas box to one of his buddies too because he was certain he wouldn't get any Christmas.
I sent homemade cookies and other treats, magazines, hot coco, little things like that just to show him I was thinking of him.
From here the flat rate large priority mail packages are the cheapest bet unless I am mailing very light items. Where I used to live we were very close to the FPO that my brother's mail went through and for an normal weight box it was MUCH less to send it using parcel post or whatever it is called.
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They should give you a discount for shipping. I used a flat rate box large box and it cost me like $14.00.
I recently sent out some care packages to some guys in a friend's unit. I included lots of things; baby wipes are a big hit, sunscreen sticks, batteries, gold bond powder.
If you do an internet search for care packages it will tell you things you can and can not send. To save yourself some time, you will have to fill out customs forms when you get to the post office. IT says you needs to list things individually but that is not the case. You can group items together (for example, candy/hygiene) and just put an estimated weight/cost. Don't be a dummy and list things exactly and end up with 7 customs forms. The guy at the desk will laugh at you.
I saw a cute thing on Pinterest. Wrap an empty Pringles container in wrapping paper. You can then stack homemade cookies in it and they won't fall apart.
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