The holidays are a great time for sharing blessings with military members deployed overseas by sending a military care package.

While it can be tempting to shove all kinds of things in there that a deployed servicemember might find helpful, there are ways to make sure you’ re sending things that really help.

CHOOSING THE BOX

Try using a USPS Priority Mail shipping box. Bonus, they’ re free from your local post office. You can also order a free Military Care Kit from the USPS that contains special boxes. It comes with two Priority Mail APO / FPO flatrate boxes, two Priority Mail Medium flat-rate boxes, Priority Mail tape and address labels, and customs forms. You can order them by calling( 800) 610-8734.

Now that you’ ve got a box, be sure you don’ t overstuff it. Boxes that are too full can pop open during shipping and not make it to their final destination.

ITEMS TO PACK

Choose travel-sized items when you can, and enclose them in zip-top storage bags that the servicemember can use to keep their items dry and sand-free. Here are some useful items to pack for cold weather:

• Disposable hand and foot warmers.

• Long underwear.

• Fingerless gloves.

• Stocking caps.

• Chocolates.

• Hot beverage mixes. For those serving in hotter climates, try:

• Powdered drink mixes or water flavorings.

• Bandannas.

• Wash cloths.

• Wipe rags

• Handy wipes or baby wipes.

• Sunscreen. Welcome all year and in any climate:

• Handwritten letters or children’ s drawings.

• Photos.

• Jokes.

• Scrapbooks filled with mementos from home.

• The Sunday comics from

© ADOBE STOCK

your local newspaper.

• Writing paper.

• Pens and pencils.

• Envelopes.

• Coffee and creamer.

• Snacks and energy bars.

• Tuna fish kits.

• Sardines.

• Non-perishable beef jerky.

• USDA beef summer sausage.

• Breath mints.

• Canned cheese, chips and

salsa.

• Dips.

• Nuts.

• Microwave popcorn.

• Dried fruit.

• Pudding and fruit cups.

• Single-serve cereals.

• Ramen noodles.

• Soup mix.

• Girl Scout cookies.

• Hot sauce.

• Travel versions of chess, checkers, dice and other games.

• Headphones and ear buds.

• Magazines and puzzle books.

• Vapo-Rub.

• Cough drops.

• Eye drops and nose spray.

• Hairbrushes.

• Hand lotion.

• Foot powder and fungal cream.

• Shampoo.

• Sunscreen.

• Moleskin and blister packs.

• Boot socks in black, green, brown and tan.

• Sunglasses.

• Baseball caps.

• Nitrile gloves.

• T-shirts in black, brown and tan.

• Plastic utensils.

• Beanie babies.

• Travel pillow.

• Twin-sized sheets.

• Can opener.

• Lens cleaning cloths.

• Phone cards from AAFES.

• Small American flags.

• Batteries, AA, AAA, D, C and 9-volt.

• Duct tape.

• Flashlights.

• Fans.

• Fly strips.