christmas boxes for soldiers

the_frugal_frog

Hi just wondering if anyone knows details of how to go about sending Christmas boxes to a soldier currently serving abroad, I don't know anyone in the military, but would like to send a Christmas box out to someone.

I have done the Christmas child boxes, but cant find details for the soldiers ones

Thanks

meritaten

have you looked on the 'charities' site on here? I think I remember someone posting that the 'boxes' for soldiers were delaying parcels sent by family members, a couple of years back. There was some talk about how to reconcile them?

the_frugal_frog

thanks, prob should have posted this there, I didn't even know there was a charities board:o. I will go over to the charities board now and have a look, thanks .

meritaten

I could be wrong - but I think there was some debate about whether strangers putting 'boxes' together for soldiers was a good idea when most soldiers have families in uk?

claire16c

I think there are special military charities you can do this through, rather than non military well meaning ones, who yes can cause the other parcels to be delayed.

silkyuk9

the_frugal_frog wrote: »

Hi just wondering if anyone knows details of how to go about sending Christmas boxes to a soldier currently serving abroad, I don't know anyone in the military, but would like to send a Christmas box out to someone.

I have done the Christmas child boxes, but cant find details for the soldiers ones

Thanks

collect shoe boxes, perfect size, there are things you cannot put in them however. You then go to post office and get some blueies free postage but they have to be a certain weight. Its a few years since my son was over seas in Iraq so cant remember the exact details.

We sent lots of things and even boxes of sweets for the Iraqi kids, they love Polo's they think they will give them eternal youth.

My advise is to go to http://www.supportoursoldiers.co.uk/

They will give you loads of advise on what to send.

Also you need squaddie addresses overseas. but again oyu will find all info on the website. Remember these lads are eternally grateful we used to box up loads of things and send them to random soldiers, its nice to get letters back with them thanking you for toothpaste etc.

tinkerbell28

The problem with just sending shoe boxes to "A soldier". It clogs the system up.

So families parcels don't get through and the mail service creaks. It also heightens the risk as it's all done by air drops. So more chance of being shot down.

They banned it at Christmas a couple of years back, families only.

My advice would be go through a charity. Some work with the MOD, so singles can "request" parcels. They won't be going to the men with families who get loads ifyswim.

The thing is, being blunt. Stuff like toothpaste, shower gel and all that. They will have a "spar" type shop on the main camp they can get all that.

Novelty stuff like or things like cards, go down well.

mountainofdebt

And I know you wouldn't but nothing that could be deemed offensive to the locals......eg lads mags

claire16c

mountainofdebt wrote: »

And I know you wouldn't but nothing that could be deemed offensive to the locals......eg lads mags

I can't lie, those went down a treat when I sent those :rotfl:

tinkerbell28

claire16c wrote: »

I can't lie, those went down a treat when I sent those :rotfl:

It's really not a good idea. As the person who is found with them can be charged.

Those kind of mags aren't allowed in hot sandy places. Due to local customs and laws.

It's searching for stuff like that, that holds up parcels from families.

Some will always get through but you could be causing a lot of trouble for lads if they're found out.

arbroath_lass

tinkerbell28 wrote: »

The thing is, being blunt. Stuff like toothpaste, shower gel and all that. They will have a "spar" type shop on the main camp they can get all that.

That's odd because that is what we were asked to send (by the soldiers) - decent toiletries (and Haribo :rotfl:)