Create the Perfect Care Package

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I have twin boys that have been away from home for over 7 years. They went to school away from home and once they graduated from college, they became officers in the United States Navy. After spending a few years in Virginia, they were recently deployed to Japan. Thankfully with today’s technology, we still have the chance to hear their voices, listen to their adventures, and see their faces. Since our boys have been away from home for so many years, I have learned how to create the perfect care package to send them a little bit of home.

Each care package that I send my boys changes based on where they happen to be. When one of the twins was underway for around 9 months, the care packages were bigger than normal and contained a lot more items than I would normally include, but since they are in Japan, I like to include items that remind them of home. Here are some items that I include in order to create the perfect care package for my boys:

• Family Pictures: I love to include framed family pictures that can be hung around the boy’s apartments or in their office. Even though they can look at all of the random pictures on social media, it’s more heartwarming to have pictures that can be seen all around their house.
• Cards/ Drawings: My boys have 3 younger sisters that love and miss them every day. They are constantly drawing special pictures and writing them cards that express how much they miss them. These cards and drawing become mementos and forever keepsakes.
• Favorite Foods: When you move away from home, especially if it’s in a different country, the food options will not be the same as they are at home. Since we are from Texas, I love to send my boys a variety of hot sauces, BBQ rubs, their favorite candy, and more.
• Texas Gear: As Texans we love to represent our state, so I make sure to send t-shirts, hats, bottle holders, and any other Texas gear that I can find.
• Gum: In our family gum is a staple. You can never have too much gum, so I love to send the boys packs of gum in each care package.

While I was at Walmart stocking up on items for care packages, I found the new Extra® Gum 35-stick packages at the checkout lane. There were 2 flavors, Extra® Gum Spearmint and Extra® Gum Polar Ice®, so I decided to grab them both.

I was instantly attracted to the durable and recyclable packaging, in addition to the new Extra® 35-stick pack. I knew these would perfect for my boys to keep in their car or desks and share with their new co-workers so they could Give Extra, Get Extra with Extra® gum.

When your friends and loved ones move away or are away temporarily, it is fun to gather up their favorite items and unexpected items that may remind them of home. Whether you include cute drawings from their siblings, homemade cookies, or Extra® Gum 35-stick packages it’s the thought that counts and it will let them know that you love them.

What do you include in care packages?