Gifts to send to Afghanistan?

zippychick

Hi All, very rarely I start a thread on here, but I wanted advice on a particular situation.

My friend is out in afghanistan and will be until around March - April next year. I would like to make him some home made nibbles to send out every few weeks. Just a nice touch from home really, and something to cheer him up.:o

I am waiting for him to let me know the details - I know I can send free packages up to a certain weight , so will update once he replies to my email.

My first port of call is going to be Pinks flapjacks - i know they last, are yummy and also filling. I was going to wrap them up in freezer bags and sellotape them up tight in little daily parcels - say two in each bag or something. I did this when I went to festivals with them and they lasted perfectly and kept fresh.

Just wondered if anyone had any other ideas of perishables that will last well and travel well. Not sure how long the post will take, so will find that out when I send my first batch.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.:j

Nomoneymummy_2

I used to send similar when my bib bro was stationed in Iraq, from experiance DONT send chocs!!! There was an easter cream egg mush that is still remembered fondly!!

Ketchup sachets and brown sauce he loved, plus they fit in round everything else, hes a huge marmite fan so that was one!! toothpaste he used to ask for as it wasn't so good over there!!

Teabags was another! I know where bb was stationed it was awkward so I went through all the things I'd miss the most and mailed them over, he also used to ask for random things like lots of boot laces, batterys and socks, things kit was short of etc and prob was against the rules but I used to put mini JD bottles in the socks etc! (well hidden of course!!)

Not sure if that helps but will ask the mother what she sent when I see her tomorrow aswell!!

skylight

There are several threads on the forces boards about what to send.

Its a bit hit and miss with perishables; bear in mind it could take a week or two for the parcel to get there, then sit on their bunk for another week or more because they are out on patrol, so unless you know that you can ensure they keep for a month its probably not a good idea to send perishables. (Plus add in postal strike problems)

zippychick

Wow a reply already! Thanks! To be honest I hadn't thought beyond food things I could make so that's really helpful . Last time I sent him flags and badges so he could swap stuff.

Silly question or statement - but I thought liquids would be a problem? Regards alcohol, I wouldn't even risk it. They are exceptionally strict and literally take stuff to pieces so i don't think it would get past them!

Thanks for the prompt reply already!

Thing is , i could ask him what he wants or needs but I know for a fact he won't tell me. He's that kind IYKWIM

zippychick

skylight wrote: »

There are several threads on the forces boards about what to send.

Its a bit hit and miss with perishables; bear in mind it could take a week or two for the parcel to get there, then sit on their bunk for another week or more because they are out on patrol, so unless you know that you can ensure they keep for a month its probably not a good idea to send perishables. (Plus add in postal strike problems)

Shame on me, I didn't even know there was a forces board:o

vij

the dehydrated sachets to flavour water, they have to drink tons while they are there and these will be greatly valued

Nomoneymummy_2

It was 7 years ago I last sent a parcel... silly me forgot all about the liquids rule change... no dont risk it!!!,

Shame though he used to love a sneaked in JD though if theres an american base nearby they used to love to swap for the more kitch brit stuff so thats partly where marmite and brown sauce came in!!!

Nomoneymummy_2

vij wrote: »

the dehydrated sachets to flavour water, they have to drink tons while they are there and these will be greatly valued

Ohhh whittards do really nice powdered flavoured teas!!! YUMMY!!!!

Penelope_Penguin

zippychick wrote: »

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.:j

Take a look at this older thread by my mate Nelski - !!!!!! is recommended :eek: :rotfl:

I have a geat recipe for orange and cranberry brownies - it travels really well (more like dense cake than crumbly brownie). I'll post it later.

I'll move this to the Forces Board later, once OSers have done their stuff.

knithappens

when my huby was out there i sent thermals as it ets cold at night, also cakes in a jar , you can google them, what about an xmas cake, they keep or a long time, a nice taste of home

ubamother

I know they're hardly homemade - but I've always been told wetwipes are like gold dust!