I thought it might be a good idea to compile a list of things that missionaries need, want and miss that can be sent in care packages since this is a question I am frequently asked. It is soooo comforting to get a package in the mail filled with useful things and things that remind you of home and it is always encouraging to know that the folks back home have you in their thoughts and prayers. Of course for different families serving in different parts of the world, needs are going to differ a little. However, I hope this list serves as a springboard for ideas of what to send in care packages to missionaries that you may be wanting to bless in this way.
Prayer. Ok, prayer doesn't exactly come in a box, but a care package is a good reminder and encouragement as I said before, that there are people praying for and wanting to bless you. Bonus, prayer never gets lost in the mail!
Food items:
Reeses peanut butter cups. People, the Reeses situation over here is dire.
Spice mix packets. It is often difficult to find many spices -here, particularly Asian and Mexican food spices- and having those little spice packet mixes on hand is so, well, handy.
Sea salt and/or coarsely ground sea salt
Ranch dip mix packets and other dip mixes.
Hot chocolate/apple cider mixes
Instant oatmeal packets
Pop tarts
Fishy crackers, cheeze-its, party mix and the like. The kids miss those and there is nothing even close here(-in fact, I can't even get cheddar cheese here to try and make my own!)
Boxed macaroni and other boxed pasta/rice sides. We cook mostly from scratch and have been eating probably a lot healthier here, but sometimes ya just miss good ol' Kraft or Aunt Annie's Macaroni.
Cake mix, frosting, other cookie/brownie type mixes.
Chocolate chips for baking
Fruit snacks
Cream of wheat
Food coloring
Coconut oil
Garlic salt
Hot sauce (we don't particularly care for hot sauce, but you can't get it here, so find out if this is something your missionary friend wants!)
Candy canes, robin's eggs, candy corn, other seasonal candy at the appropriate times
Chai tea
Other:
Pictures of you, of your families. We miss your beautiful faces!
Notes letting us know what is going on in your lives and how we can pray for you.
Crayola crayons, colored pencils, chalk
Coloring books
Construction paper
Beads, stamps, other small craft/home-learning/Sunday school type supplies.
Children's books. Books quickly weigh a box down, but you can usually toss in a couple without it being too bad. We were only able to take a few of our beloved books with us and we miss reading in English! Little kid type books (think Perfect the Pig, A Birthday for Bear...) or chapter books to read to them (think Charlotte's Web, A Cricket in Times Square...)
Play-doh. We make our own sometimes, but miss the neon colors too :)
Empty spray bottles. You'd think you could find those here. Nope.
Duct/scotch/masking tape
Elmer's and tacky glue and glue sticks
Spray n'Wash, RLR or Sportsman's Wash for laundry
First aid type items, band-aids, medical tape, tiny scissors... Stuff like that
Prenatal vitamins (if your missionary is a pregnant or nursing mother)vitamin C, vitamin D3, probiotics, other supplements that your missionary can specify, if needed.
If your missionary has pets it might be nice to send them flea/tick treatments as those aren't available (here anyway) and little chew toys/bones, catnip, worming medication, even a collar...
These were the things I sat down and thought of today. Any friends are welcome to comment with other ideas!
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