Soldier Sons 21st Birth when in Afganistan

Sallys_Savings

As per the title..

We have just found out that our son will be leaving for Afganistan 8 weeks before his 21st birthday.

Would you celebrate before he went?...wait till his return?..or what?

The other thing to take into account is that he is a twin so it will be rather strange celebrating with one and not the other. So they'd both be celebrating early if we did pr both be celebrating late . We want to make it special for our son who will be at home too but will be so odd etc. I just want to find the happy medium.

We obviously intend sending him a package when hes out there but I'm not entirely sure the postage times etc or what you can send etc.(will have to look into this) If anyone has any ideas what we could send..that would be great too.

kimmie32_2

Hiya
Well it will be free now to send a parcel to him and while my hubby was away it was his 40th. I sent loads of balloons and glitter bits with his pressies.
Look at www.bfpo.com website for all the rules and regs.
Hope that helps... Have a big celebration when he gets back so he has something to look forward too.

Take care

MRSMCAWBER

Hi there

I would try and arrange a family meal, so he can be with all his nearest n dearest..before he goes away, and agree to have a proper big bash when he gets back...combining the "welcome home " with his "birthday".... cards/messages from home will mean most to him whilst he is away.... infact i would get all his family/friends to give him his cards to take with him..just in case - what with post probs etc.... you can always send him an extra one..

In his goodie box i would go for things like "tipples" - the coffee creamers with alcohol in...a little bit of luxury and they won't go off in the heat.... his fave sweet from when he was a child....some refreshing aqua drop type things, breath freshner mints - for when its been a long day and he has a horrid dry mouth....wet wipes for freshening up, - can you tell who is an army wife?

At the end of the day anything from home will mean the world ...

Wish him all the best and my thoughts are with all of you

divadee

i agree with mrs mcawber, send him a big goodie box of all little treats that he will be missing on his birthday.

double check about the alcohol though maybe hide it in a mouthwash bottle The BFPO can be a bit hot on these things going to 'dry' countries.

also send him new toiletries etc... like deo, toothpaste, shower gel. Make them nicer than he would normally buy himself.

My brother loves super noodles/pot noodles sent out, i cant stand the stuff, but he loves being sent those out.

Sweets are good, make sure they wont go sticky or melt in the heat though.

I sent my brother a lovely t-shirt when he was in iraq for his birthday and he loved that.

As for the celebrations have a get together before he goes, and a welcome home party/birthday part when he gets back.

For postage times, post it as early as possible, but write on the package in big letters not to be opened till xx date. Things can take 6-8 weeks to get through. If thats not possible send a little something out with your son, with strict instructions not to open it until his birthday.


Hope everything goes ok for your son xxxxxxxx

jamtart6

id have a celebration before he went, and then on the day (if you have time to...) make them a gorgeous memory book each - im sure the one in Afghanistan will completely treasure it complete with pictures of home... i can give you some help if you want me to! (worked in a scrapbooking shop for years!!)


Edit: it was my favourite gift for my 21st, my mum did one for me and it was so much time and effort and love in it, i loved it!!!

gt568

I spent my 21st deployed in Kosovo, another in 2003 for gulf war 2, and this last one in Afghanistan. Winner.

When I was in the 'Stan my wife sent out some minature Gin's and some tin's of premixed gin and tonic. We had no probs my the BFPO and loads of other people got sent stuff too. I wouldn't send too much though.

I wouldn't bother with toiletries IMHO, you can get plenty out there.

Reading material is always at a premium.

If you PM me his possible location, perhaps I can help with what might be of use at that location.

I got back in July.