We're approaching the end of November, and that means it's Thanksgiving time again. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, there are currently more than one million active-duty members of the U.S. military, and many of them are deployed overseas. Most will not be home for Thanksgiving, but that doesn't mean your deployed spouse or child can't feel like they're a part of the holiday.
A care package that reminds them of home is the perfect way to connect. But what to send?
Consider this. In a sense, Thanksgiving owes its holiday status to the military. The Times described how in 1863, on the day after the Union was victorious at the battle of Chattanooga, Abraham Lincoln officially proclaimed Thanksgiving a national day of remembrance. From then on, the last Thursday in November would be "a day of Thanksgiving and Praise." In the field, Civil War soldiers celebrated with salted pork, crusty bread and yes, care packages full of small treats from home. Some things never change.
Thankfully, some other things do change, like the quality of food and the speed of delivery. In the 19th century, soldiers might not get a care package for several weeks (or even longer) after it was mailed. Nowadays, your care package can get just about anywhere in the world in one or two weeks. So, with Thanksgiving just 10 days away, here are some neat ideas for what you could surprise your loved ones with next week.
Canned food, or make substitutions. Cans of vegetables, cranberry sauce and turkey spam all keep a lot longer than the fresh food will, so even if they aren't used next Thursday, they could always be eaten later on. But if the idea of canned food isn't appealing, Army Wife 101 says to consider some non-traditional replacements. Instead of turkey, send jerky. Instead of corn, send candy corn.
Snacks are always welcome. Picking up where we left off – snacks are always appreciated overseas, particularly if they're a brand hard to find outside the U.S. Old standbys, like potato chips, pretzels, and Pop-Tarts will never be turned down by servicemembers craving to remember what a trip to the grocery store snack aisle tastes like.
Cookies. It's hard to go wrong with cookies. Or brownies, for that matter. Both treats are consistently the most popular additions to any great care package, especially if they're wrapped up fresh out of the oven, just like mom used to make. A firm airtight container will keep the taste of home intact for a longer period of time as your care package makes its way overseas.
Decorations and other small touches. Cups, plates and napkins decorated with the Thanksgiving theme are great for brightening up any mess hall feast. They bring the feel of the holiday to the table the same way plastic skeletons and fake spider webs tell the neighborhood it's time for Halloween.
Thanksgiving is a tough holiday to plan care packages around because it's a day all about hot, fresh food, but that doesn't mean you can't get creative. Non-perishable canned food or unique replacements for traditional dishes, favorite snacks, homemade baked goods and holiday-themed decorations are a great way of reminding your loved one that you care.
So don't get too anxious about crafting the perfect care package. Retired Gen. Oscar C. Decker told Marysville's This Week News that, when it comes to sending food and treats overseas, "It's not about feeding them or even about getting them what they need. It's about the soldier opening a box and knowing, 'Someone is thinking about me.'"