What to get someone going to Afghanistan?

MrsTinks · 11 August 2008 at 1:26PM

My maid of honour is in the RAF and she's recently been told she's going out there for 6 months very soon

- and because she's a very good friend I want to get her something that she can actually use out there..

So... any ideas? Has anyone been out there with the RAF or other forces and what would YOU have welcomed? I intend to send out monthly packaged with stuff from home like chocolate, coffee, tea and anything I can think off that will keep in the heat and is easily shippable...

But what can I give her to take out with her?

Many thanks!

silkyuk9 · 11 August 2008 at 1:34PM

MrsTine wrote: »

My maid of honour is in the RAF and she's recently been told she's going out there for 6 months very soon - and because she's a very good friend I want to get her something that she can actually use out there..

So... any ideas? Has anyone been out there with the RAF or other forces and what would YOU have welcomed? I intend to send out monthly packaged with stuff from home like chocolate, coffee, tea and anything I can think off that will keep in the heat and is easily shippable...

But what can I give her to take out with her?

Many thanks!

youve just said it all really, i wouldnt give anything too expensive as it might bet broken or lost or stolen.

My son goes out on tour very soon also, and ill be giving him all my love and support, and lots of regular shoe boxers full of supplies that he will need to make his life better or more comfortable, such as soap, tooth paste, insect repelant, exttra boot laces, batteries for his mp3 player.

Alias_Omega · 11 August 2008 at 2:00PM

Some form of games console, not only will it entertain when there is nothing to do, also on the flight out there and back.

Maybe a PSP, or a Gameboy advance / DS Lite

Both can be modified... (ahem...)

Old_Trout_3 · 11 August 2008 at 3:55PM

My other half took laptop which he can watch dvd:s on. Last time a small portable dvd-player. Choccies a bit tricky if you intend to send them. Some of the choccibiccies I sent apparently had melted in the heat so I stick to other biscuits. The dog liked the melted ones apparently....

Cat695 · 11 August 2008 at 4:12PM

a real nice pair of sunglasses...i agree with the PS/Nintendo etc to.....but you should think about something personal like photos of you all together........silkyuk hit the nail on the head though......nothing beats a parcel full of goodies from home.....wine gums crisps NO chocolate! so buy loads of shoes (so you can use the shoe boxes lol good excuse) and just send her lots of goodies while shes away (parcels 2kg and less can be sent FREE to afghan just so you know)

minirolo2004 · 11 August 2008 at 9:04PM

Hiya

I just got back from Afghanistan, and, as a female, I welcomed monthly magazines and goodies. To echo previous posters - NO CHOCOLATE, they literally do arrive in liquid form. Sweets like Maoms are pretty good...Haribo is hit and miss as it all sticks together! Like the previous poster said, anything under 2kg is FREE and make sure you check out the ebluey website www.ebluey.com. Best thing for her to do is make sure she has an IGS account and email you from work and via her work email

If you can't afford, or don't want to splash out on a DS or PSP, a cheapy dvd player thingy would be good - lots of...erm, cheap DVDs available out there. Otherwise, an MP3 player if she doesnt already have one.
HTH

:cool:

MrsTinks · 11 August 2008 at 9:19PM

She has Mp3 player and Laptop - will ask her OH if she's taking the laptop otherwise her early christmas pressie might be a cheapy portable DVD player!
Good point about the chocolate! Hadn't thought about that!
Also didn't know stuff under 2 kg goes for free!! Even better!!!
SO main going out there pressie will be dvd player if applicable - and a bunch of *cough* cheap DVDs. She's not a very girly girl but if I can find any motorbike magazines she likes I'll send them out to her in her shoeboxes (I'm a money saver - how often do you think I buy shoes that come in boxes :P - I'll have to beg some I think hehe)

Then it's Jammie Dodgers, boiled sweets - ooo might do a retro sweetbox if I can find enough that don't melt! - crisps, maybe the occasional molton brown lotion and shower stuff...
Would girly time of month stuff be worth sending out? Seriously I assume they can buy or get issued stuff out there, but is it cheapy stuff and would some Always be worth sending out once a month?

1012donna · 11 August 2008 at 9:42PM

Find out if she has air conditioned accomodation. My friend is out there and he hasn't so his wife sent him a little fan. He keeps an iced bottle of water in front of it whilst sleeping and it sprays water on him to keep him cool.

waggys · 11 August 2008 at 10:26PM

What about a jar of marmite? You either love it or hate it!

Marker_2 · 12 August 2008 at 8:09AM

Shes going out for 6 months .... I thought RAF only did 4?

Echo everyones comments really. I just sent the OH is favourite sweets, crisps and biscuits. A book I thought he might like, lots of pictures, wet wipes, mints, chewing gums.

You can top up her phonecard as well don't forget!

MrsTinks · 12 August 2008 at 8:37AM

I'm not sure why but she's out there for 6 - I think she's in the MPs or security or something at the moment (I'm a Navy gal so this airforce stuff is like a different world to me!) so maybe that's why she's out there for longer? I honestly don't know so I'll ask her next time she's over

Ooo phone cards... hadn't thought of them either! (this list is growing!)

What to get someone going to Afghanistan?

Comments

Categories

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free