1. Jelly Beans – Colorful, sweet and won’t melt en route to his destination.
2. Beef Jerky – Never met a soldier that didn’t love having this in the field.
3. Trail Mix – This healthy snack will give him loads of great energy.
4. Homemade cookies - Mail in a Pringle’s Can to keep fresh.
5. Homemade rice krispie treats - Nothing says “lovin’” like treats home-cooked from the oven.
6. A favorite condiment like Texas Pete Hot Sauce?
7. Breakfast bars - Perfect snack for an on-the-go guy.
8. Chocolate-covered pretzels - Satisfy his sweet-tooth with salty and sweet.
9. Pop-tarts - Individually wrapped for breakfast or snack time. (Although i heard they give them plenty of those during deployment.
10. Crystal Light or Special K Protein Water drink mix.
11. Microwavable popcorn. My fiance loves popcorn. Send with a DVD for movie night.
12. Myoplex shake packages - Send with a nalgene bottle and let him mix and go.
13. Hot chocolate mix.
14. Granola bars - Great energy boost and nutritious mid-day snack.
15. Ramen noodles - Only 25 cents a pack, easy to make, doesn’t spoil.
16. Chex mix - Perfect for on-the-go snacking.
17. Single cereal packs - My guy loves Fruit Loops, but it’s fun to mix it up with Frosted Flakes, Cocoa Crisps & more.
18. Pouched tuna – keeps well, tastes great and is a great source of protein.
19. Jell-O pudding snack packs - rich and creamy, it goes anywhere and everywhere!
20. Individual servings of canned fruit.
21. Individual boxes of mac ‘n cheese - they'll enjoy the cheesy goodness...especially my guy.
22. Ketchup/mustard/mayo packets - perfect for short trips or late-night snacks.
23. Oreos – send him America’s favorite cookie in individual packs.
24. Instant coffee and creamer – start his day (or help keep him awake during long work hours) with his favorite flavor.
25. Boost his spirits with a box of his favorite nostalgic candy from the 60s, 70s or 80s. Get it at Cracker Barrel.
26. My guy eats peanut butter on anything - Try a jar from Peanut Butter & Co. for funky flavor.
27. Dried fruit - has strong, sweet flavors and is very vitamin rich.
28. 100 Calorie Snack Packs - will fit nicely in his pockets for the trip home.
29. Candied walnuts - packed in a ziplock for spicing up boring salads.
30. Animal crackers - with a tub of Betty Crocker’s Vanilla Confetti icing.
Comfort
31. Socks – Find deals at Kohls.
32. Remind him of home with Cotton-scented air fresheners from Yankee Candle.
33. Crocs. These breathable, silly shoes offer optimal comfort for lounging...although i hate the style and shape completely, i've heard they're rather comfortable.
34. Organic cotton twin sheets - from Target - when not in the field, he’ll sleep better on them.
35. Running shoes - After recording some serious mileage in the desert, he will need a new high-quality pair.
Keeping it clean!
36. Wet Ones – May be the only bath he gets in the field.
37. Lysol – Plus, you can always find coupons for this.
38. Tide Pen or Shout Wipes. Will help clean up if there’s an emergency spill.
39. Dryer sheets - which can go everywhere – in packs and trunks to help things smell fresher.
40. Canned air – they can use it to clean their weapon, computer and just generally dust bust.
Do a body good
41. Gold Bond - body/foot powder or an affordable alternative from Dollar Store.
42. Sunscreen - Protect his skin from the harmful rays of the desert sun w/SPF 30 or higher.
43. Chapstick - Protect his pucker from dry, chapped lips.
44. Contact solution - If your man wears lenses, he can’t ever have too much of this.
45. Deodorant - It’s hot in the desert-send his favorite scent.
46. Moisturizer - Keep his skin soft despite the intense desert heat.
47. Extra toothbrushes–he can’t have too many of these.
48. Mouthwash, floss and other dental hygiene tools he may not be up for using.
49. Insect-repellent wipes.
50. Help him freshen up when he gets off the plane – a cologne sampler or travel-size deodorant will do the trick.
Entertainment
51. (Courtesy of my fiance) Any sports magazine! ESPN, Sporting News, Outside.
52. A mixed CD of the current top 20 singles from his favorite genre.
53. DVDs. Barnes & Noble has great deals in its $3.99 bin.
54. Paperback books - Books-A-Million has great recommendations.
55. A journal - Great tool for privately expressing emotions.
56. Latest issue of Men’s Health magazine - Keep him up-to-date on work-out tips.
57. Disposable camera.
58. Pre-paid phone cards. Most guys call on sat phones, but it never hurts to have on hand.
59. Dane Cook stand-up audio CDs. Do I really need to say more?
60. Latest issue of Maxim magazine.
61. Stationery & envelopes – help him keep in touch with you when he can.
62. Make your own book of crossword puzzles for him, with inside jokes.
63. Help him blow off some steam with a football or a pack of water balloons.
Celebration edition
64. St. Patrick’s Day Edition: Lucky Charms. They’re magically delicious.
65. Father’s Day Edition: Be deliberate about taping your kids throughout the deployment and send him the DVD to celebrate Father’s Day.
66. Send your birthday boy a personalized photo birthday card from Hallmark.
67. Yes, you can send a birthday cake thanks to BakeMeAWish.com.
68. Celebrate a promotion: Sparkling Cider in bubble wrap and a heartfelt note telling him how proud you are of him.
69. Baby on Board: Send him a new daddy package with baby booties, a proud daddy tee shirt and plenty of ultrasound pictures.
70. Halloween: Fill a Jack-o-Lantern with his favorite slasher flicks, tricks and treats.
71. Thanksgiving: Give him a seat at our dinner table – turkey jerky, craisins, instant mashed potato flakes and a recording of your loved ones saying what they are thankful for.
72. Christmas: A stocking with decorations to celebrate and his favorite Christmas movies on DVD. You can usually find great deals on this!
73. New Year’s: Recording of you counting down to midnight and telling him all the things you’re looking forward to doing with him in the new year.
74. Valentine’s Day: This is a great holiday for hard candy so load up on the red hots, sweethearts and more and be crafty and make your own Valentine!
75. Easter: No one’s too old for an Easter basket! Fill it with peeps, jelly beans and his favorite seasonal candy.
76. Fourth of July Edition: Why not send some summer sausages? Hickory Farms offers free shipping to APO/FPO addresses.
Sentimental
77. If you share a fave magazine, tag your commentary with Post-Its.
78. Postcards of home or your fave vacation spots - Wonderful, cheap trip down memory lane.
79. CD mix of songs you fell in love to - Make a note in the car when you hear one on the radio.
80. Love letter - Never underestimate the power of a simple note.
81. Small photo album - Include pics of you, the kids, friends and pets.
82. Pics of events he missed - weddings, get-togethers, parties.
83. A journal of yours - Write a recap of each day that’s funny and helps to remind him of home.
84. Remind him how much you appreciate his service and support your USO at the same time by picking up patriotic Sweethearts at K-Mart or Dollar General.
85. A copy of your local paper - He’ll have his favorite sports page back soon enough!
Anniversary edition
86. Get creative. Research traditional anniversary gifts and come up with alternatives that are affordable and useful for him overseas.
87. Did you save your vows or toasts from your wedding? Recreate and put in a frame or laminate them.
88. Photo project. Visit Shutterfly.com or a similar service to create a photo slideshow on a DVD for him.
89. Remember what you danced to at your wedding? Burn him a CD mix of it.
90. Photos of his real present if you want to get him something he can enjoy when he’s home.
91. An itinerary. Book a celebratory vacation for the two of you and send him an itinerary to get excited.
92. Send him 365 reasons why you love him more than you did last year.
93. Make your own book or recreate your wedding or honeymoon album on blurb.com.
94. Scrapbook with photos of when you were dating and journal about what you remember from those days.
95. A sweetheart pouch with the perfume you wore on your wedding day.
96. Bake cookies that have the same flavors as your wedding cake.
Facebook Page Choices
97. Toilet paper that’s an improvement over their sandpaper!
98. Jack Coughlin book “Kill Zone”
99. Musical greeting cards.
100. Silly kids toys from the cheap toy aisle in Wal-Mart to help him destress.
101. Anyone who has seen GI Joe on YouTube knows they love their GI JOES!