This week, a friend’s husband headed out for a six month deployment.  She asked if I had any ideas.  Here’s the truth.  When it comes to mailing packages…I’m totally lame.

So I scoured the Internet and found a bundle of folks who are doing the care package thing right.  I think we all know someone who could use a care package, whether your spouse is deployed or not.  Hopefully this creative list will inspire you next time you need to ship some love via post.

As I rounded up ideas, I found that the cutest care packages start off with a theme.  And so begins, our list…

1.

Polka Dot Chair shared this simple, sweet idea for a get-well package.  That way cute tag is on her site as a free printable.

2.

Happy Go Lucky shows off a “Box of Sunshine.”  Again, she’s got the link to her free printable {those little touches make your gifts look so legit.}  I like this bright box, it’s perfect for a get-well, dorm bound college student, or just your run-of-the-mill Practically Canadian stuck in the middle of a 6 month winter.

3.

You can actually buy this box from SnazzyGood.com.  But you could easily put it together yourself.  I love this theme for a college student or troop deployed to a remote location.

4.

This box from The Deployment Divas is so genius.  Instead of packing a box of sweets and junk food, this one is geared toward getting healthy.  I know a lot of deployed fellas who’d love to get this in the mail.

5.

One more from The Deployment Divas.  A movie night themed package.  She’s got so many ideas…even a link from her home page to care package ideas.  For more from her you should totally check out her site.

The next theme I found in creating a perfect care package, was a thoughtfully decorated box.  This next collection will give you ideas on how you can fancy up one of those flat-rate boxes.

6.

Singing Through the Rain created a “Rise and Shine” package full of breakfast goodies.  This is a great idea of a wide range of loved ones living away from you.  Just think how appreciative a sleepy college student would be to get this during finals week.  Or how much a missionary would enjoy receiving a box of American comfort food cereals.

7.

Army Housewife has LOTS of good ideas.  This birthday box is easily decorated by covering the flaps with decorative duct tape.

8.

Army Housewife, also put out this adorable idea for an Easter care package.  How cute?!!

9.

Veterans United has another Easter package idea and tips for packing a good box for deployed troops.

10.

How about an April Fools package?

11.

Here’s a Mario Brothers, Power Up box filled with energy drinks and power bars.

12.

This spicy box would be so fun to get in the mail!

13.

This one speaks to my heart.  I’d fill it with cake balls, cake mixes, a can of frosting, sprinkles, and a few cakes in jars {more on that in a second.}

14.

“No matter how long these days may be, remember you’re 24 hours closer to me.”  Love that.

15.

Pop of Pierce created a fun birthday themed box.  Go over to her site to see what she packed inside.

Now that you’ve got theme ideas flowing…let’s make your packages look super professional and snazzy.  Here.  Have some free printables.

16.

Bake Love Give packed a whole “Elf” themed box for Christmas.  It’s adorable.  She included candy canes from the “Candy Cane Forest.”  There’s instant coffee, for the “world’s greatest cup of coffee.”  Then she threw in one of these to make it super special.

17.

The Gifted Guru made this fun sheet of tags that can be used for occasions year round.

18.

I love labels.  For all those times you want to send a care package between holidays, World Label has this giant collection of chevron tags and labels will do the trick.  I love that the site tells you what product you need and how to print them!

19.

World Label also offers these free shipping labels.

Everyone likes goodies in the mail.  Next up…care package worthy foods that will make the journey unharmed.

20.

Chocolate, Chocolate and More not only offers 8 recipes for things she has shipped to Afghanistan, but also tells you how to package them so they arrive fresh, unbroken and ready to enjoy.

21.

Have you ever made a cake in a jar?  There are so many great options.  And because they are self contained, pretty air tight and well packaged, they make for a great addition to a care package.  Buzzfeed has a list of eight cake-in-jar recipes to try.

22.

Grin and Bake it turned left over Easter candy into spring bark.  It’s not specifically geared toward care packages, but this is a great idea for domestic gift boxes.

23.

Nuts are a care package favorite…but once you make Emeril’s easy spiced nuts recipe you’ll be the care package hero.  I’ve had these and they are SO good.  They travel well and keep a long time.

24.

Another good option is the Pioneer Woman’s party mix recipe.  Just be sure to put it in a bag, then inside a box so it doesn’t arrive in crumbs.

25.

Cooking Light put out a great list of 10 healthy care package foods, including home made granola and these adorable, customizable fortune cookies.

Okay, outside of food…isn’t there something else to add.  Of course!  I think the key to a good care package is a balance of utility and triviality.  Here are some things your recipient will be happy to get…but probably wouldn’t get themselves.

26.

Poo Pourri.  Have you heard of this?  Their tag line is, “Spritz the bowl before you go and no one else will ever know.”  When away on deployment or off at college one thing is for sure:  You’ll be sharing a bathroom.  I’ve heard that this stuff works.  But I’ve never used it myself…so don’t quote me on it.  If nothing else, I’m sure it’ll get a chuckle.  For a chuckle right now, you should watch the video on their website.

27.

The gift of entertainment.  Deployed troops don’t like having a bunch of stuff.  It’s stuff that will eventually have to be packed and brought home, or thrown away.  Send some entertainment that doesn’t require extra baggage.  An iTunes card can be a great addition to the “Work Out” box…indicate that it’s for a new gym playlist.  Gift a month subscription to NetFlix or Hulu Plus.

28.

Small, easy to play, compact games are also a fun addition to a care package.  Games like Bananagrams, Catch Phrase, Phase 10, Skip-Bo, Uno, and Mad-Gab To Go are all fun options.

29.

Things that smell good are also appreciated by someone living away {troops, missionaries, college students}.  A good air spray or wall plug in can be a welcome addition to a home away from home.

30.

It’s always nice to receive things you’d never get for yourself.  Consider sending some things to pamper in your next care package.  Things like really nice shampoo, body wash or conditioner are usually loved, but not something many will go out and buy for themselves.  A really nice electric toothbrush is a pleasant, practical surprise.  Again…really nice underwear–especially for troops in hot climates–are appreciated.  {Like these, that are made for athletes.}  These have to be nice.  Or else you’ll just look weird.  And underwear should only come from a wife or mom.  Otherwise, again, you’ll look weird.

I hope you have some ideas for the future.  I know I do.  Maybe next time Derek has to be away, he’ll get more than a T-Shirt.  At the very least, I think I’ll try to up my game by decorating the boxes I send to friends and family.

If you’ve got more ideas, I’d love to hear them.  Leave a comment below, or comment on the post over at the Facebook Page.

Amy