I would like to send nice things to our soldiers, anyone know how?

[hughjasss]

Having been a lurker for a while, I've read many of the different topic lists, even chicken keepers (although I have to admit it hasn't encouraged a love of chicken's in me!)

I have read a few times how much the soldiers appreciate nice things being sent out to them and I would like a few thing out.

Would this be appropriate, if so how do I do this and what should I send

No, its thoroughly boring actually!! It's what comes of a dog who continually seems to moult, kids that keep running in and out the back door and the permanent supply of washing they all keep providing me with! Oh, and not forgetting the cafe that I run in the kitchen!

LOL!

I have one of them dogs - dd is crawling and she has hair more hair on her than the dog

Oh I'm regularly discovering bits and pieces the dog has either brought indoors for me (slugs, snails, shells, stones, wood, the odd bumble bee, moss, twigs etc) or I will find odd bits she's buried in the garden too (chewed up lemonade bottle that has been put out for the rubbish, hide chews, nice expensive doggie treats etc etc). The kids...oh they just seem to enjoy picking all the flowers for me, weeding, watering the garden, watering the guinea pigs, watering the dog, letting go of the hose when they see a bug and running away..and the hose has been flung to the ground and facing towards next door's garden and their washing!

How I love Summer holidays.....

I'd like to send letters to service people who don't get very many. There's a website for American troops but none for British. How would I do this?

Only another 6 more weeks!

Have you looked at the BFPO website?

I looked briefly when I was trying to find where to send a parcel

I've just had a look. Its quite a complex website and does actually mention sending blueys to guys who don't receive much mail. Look under the FAQ's section.

It won't do anything when I click on the EBluey FAQ. I'll have a hunt around.

I tried clicking and didn't get anything either gscrym

I'm not sure about writing a bluey, I love the idea of it in theory but I would have no idea what to write and I'm not really that interesting .. or funny.
In fact I would probably feel sorry for the poor person who got lumbered with the bluey I sent!

You have inspired me now I am going to let the dc make up a shoebox each ,thankyou for such a lovely idea .

Thats a great idea for keeping the dc occupied!

When I wrote to DH...all those many years ago...I simply wrote about the fact that people here in the UK were thinking about them, watching reports on the news etc. I told him what was going on in the UK. I didn't try to be funny but the odd sarcastic comment did help! I didn't give much away about myself other than my name and age.

It's probably a better idea to put a shoe box of goodies together especially as some of the guys and girls out there won't have time to reply to a letter and the contents of such a box would be so gratefully received, I'm sure. xx

I'll put a note/letter in the shoebox so that kinda covers it, that way I can keep it short if I can;t think of anything to write.

No doubt I'll be back on here asking for advice about it!

DH's suggestions!!!..

AA batteries - especially if the service men/women have walkmans - batteries can be hard to come by

Pack of cards!

Pairs of cotton socks (?)
(Army issue can be a bit tough and hot!)

He came up with all the suggestions I'd already made earlier. If we can think of any more I'll let you know! x

brilliant!
It's really good to hear from servicemen that have been there as you know what they say to send will be really appreciated.

Popped out today and brought

Cup a Soup - 3 flavours
Roll on deodorant
Tampax
A writing pad
sachets of shampoo and conditioner
cotton buds

So I've made a start!

That's a really nice idea.

I know a lot of the personnel are out there for up to 6 months so once their own supplies have run out it's what they can get on base only, which can be quite limited.

Also maybe think about:

Lipsalve with high SPF
Sweets
Sudoku/wordsearch puzzle books
Leave in conditioner (my friend who served in a field hospital said there often wasn't enough water to rinse your hair after applying conditioner!)
Sunglasses (just cheapy ones)

Thanks sidge, I've already brought normal conditioner but I could get some leave in as well.

I was going to get lip slave, didn't think about high spf so thanks for the tip.

Will try to find a nice pair of sungalsses that don't cost a lot as well.

I was thinking toffees and boiled sweets, they should travel pretty well.

Lip slave??

Kinky

Toffees might go a bit melty, remember it's about 45 degrees in the shade out there.

I thought a lip slave would go down well!

Don't get toffees - they will melt!

Get boiled sweets or mints - DH said to get a pack of mints is as good as having a large glass of chilled water!

Can't imagine having to work in that sort of heat. Unbearable.
I've added mints to the list

What about hair bands?

dh liked

the little tums of nutella (about 20p each)

small tins of fruit

tins of haggis( had to start sending loads of this for his mates as well)

matthewsons smoked sausage, hate to think what kind of crap is in them that they dont need to be in the fridge

beef jerky, same as smoked sausage in that you dont need a fridge

onion ring crisps (pierce the bag with a needle, squeeze the air out then seal the hole with sellotape so it takes up less room)

empire magazine to keep up with what is on in the cinema

a few copies of recent newspapers

I've included deep conditioning hair treatment and teeny bottles of nail polish.