Hamper for soldier son..ideas please

Sallys_Savings

Hi,
My son is in the Paras and is off to Afgan next year. I'm in the middle of making up a basket for him and wondered if anyone has any ideas? Having a typical soldiers sense of humour lots of joke things would go down well too.

So far I have,

A toy paratrooper

Camo boxers (so hes camouflaged at all times )

I'm going to make him a cooling necktie like these instructions http://watersorb.com/polymer_cool_neck_bands.htm If you go to the link take the time to read about the 80 year old ex soldier who made these for american troops in Iraq.

A tag photo (another poster on mse put up a photo of these for someone going to Uni, but will be ideal for him with it not taking up too much space). It is luggage labels all tagged together with photos of family/friends etc.and using scrapbooking bits to finish it off.

Foodie items that he likes.

Anything else that I could put in?

and.......being cheeky here too any poets out there could help with a rhyme/poem/limmerick (as I am absolutely useless and have tried soooo many times this last month to write one, making two lines up and then it all falls apart lol).
A little sentimental but funny too would be really fantastic.

MRSMCAWBER

Hi there

breath fresh mints or those sugar free fruit drops..great for when he has a mouth like the bottom of a budgies cage

Tipples -little pots of long life cream with alcohol in...great for pepping up those coffees.. i sent these to my hubby and his mate when they were in the gulf and they were a huge hit... morrisons and asda have them -in the alcohol section...

a magazine..

wet wipes.. just so he can have a freshen up...

hope thats a few ideas for you.. sending him, you and all his family hugs... and hope he only has a short tour...

Fen1

Games for him to play. Sounds a bit old fashioned, but you need something to do when it's quiet. Try packing a box of dominoes, pack of cards etc, plus an instruction booklet for each, so that the games can be played in different ways.
A mouth-to-inflate blow up soccer ball (not one that needs a manual pump as that will also have to be packed). Again something to do.
A tube of baby teething gel - brilliant for insect bites.

lyndseyann

hip flask though im not too sure!!how about a wind up torch? you never know!!

Sallys_Savings

Thank you for the hugs and good wishes MrsMcawber

Going to buy all your ideas today
Love the idea of the blow up football...anyone any ideas where to find one?

Anyone have any other ideas I could add?

Stephen_Leak

Its going to be difficult to put it in the hamper, but don't forget our humble gratitude.

Sallys_Savings

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

Its going to be difficult to put it in the hamper, but don't forget our humble gratitude.

Thank you, that one sentence means so much.

(I think there should be a new smiley put up...one with tears and a smile)

Fen1

Found this on amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/InternetShopUK-16-inflatable-soccer-ball/dp/B000KVY3MK/ref=sr_1_33?ie=UTF8&s=toys&qid=1197038468&sr=8-33

lyndseyann

i know its naughtey but a ladies calender[bikinies!!] hope he is old enough! and lots of love and thanx!

moneysavingmumofone

Sallys_Savings wrote: »

Thank you for the hugs and good wishes MrsMcawber

Going to buy all your ideas today
Love the idea of the blow up football...anyone any ideas where to find one?

Anyone have any other ideas I could add?

You can get a Blow up football in asda in their 2 for £8 range Best wishes to him xx

newlifenewsong

For those who asked, I know there is a website to send our wishes to soldiers for Christmas. Can't remember the name though, but a quick Google search should do the trick.

Not sure if he'd like it, but a translation of Beowulf maybe?

If you check out the MoD website, I think there's a section where they send you free stuff. You're supposed to be between 13 and 18, but hey ho!

Raisins are a good idea too, I used to live in Morocco, and that was a perfect (and light!) way of getting some much needed energy when it was getting hot!

Oh and if you're sending underwear, make sure you send some 100% white cotton ones. Again, they're great in the hot weather (my brother used to swear by them).