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Making care packages is a great way to show your spouse you care, regardless of whether you craft a valentine or collect some of their favorite items from the store. It’s a super way to feel connected to your spouse.
Remember that medium size packages (under 15 lbs) typically ship in about 14 days, but it can take up to 30 days, so plan accordingly. With Valentine’s Day less than a month away, now is the time to get those love-themed packages together and out the door.
An awesome place to buy spicy, burn-your-face-off food is from Gourmet Mike’s, but you can find most of these items at your grocery store.
A “Burning Hot” Love Letter
Spicy candy: Red Hots, Hot Tamales, Atomic Fire Balls, Big Red gum, mints.
Salty: Spicy Nacho Doritos, Spicy Chipotle Chex Mix, Flaming Hot Cheetos, jalapeno chips or pretzels, spiced nuts.
Condiments: Hot sauce, spicy mustard, hot barbecue sauce, wasabi, salsa, spicy nacho cheese.
Canned peppers: jalepenos, chili peppers, banana peppers, tomatoes with peppers.
Meats: Canned chili, peppered beef jerky, hot summer sausage
Spices: Chili powder, Mrs Dash spice mixes, taco seasoning, cinnamon, “Jamaican jerk” seasoning, black pepper, red pepper, curry.
Hot drinks: coffee, hot cocoa, tea, spiced tea, cider.
Other items: coffee mug, heat wrap for sore muscles, decorations or party favors that have fire or chilies on them, singing & dancing plush with a hot/fire/burning love theme.
Don’t forget a hot and spicy card or letter.
(Perhaps some Tums would be smart to send with this package also.)
You are the Ying to my Yang
The theme of this package is that you two belong together and compliment each other. The opportunities and ideas for this are endless, and it is best when customized for your spouse and you specifically, but here are a few ideas to get you started.
Puzzle: the pieces fit together. You can even order custom puzzles from most photo places with your own pictures.
You are the sauce to my spaghetti: Microwavable spaghetti meal, Spaghetti O’s.
You are the ping to my pong: Ping pong paddle and ping pong balls.
You are the cheese to my mac: Easy Mac.
You are the cream to my coffee: Coffee and creamer.
You are the laces to my shoes: Shoe laces.
You are the Harry to my Sally: Customize for your favorite movie characters and send a movie with these characters, pick one of their favorite movies or a romantic comedy.
Complimentary pillow cases: Try making these, and take a picture of both. Send one pillow case to your spouse with the picture, you keep the other half.
CD: Consider including Nat King Cole Song “You’re the Cream in my Coffee” or other songs with similar theme.
Don’t forget the letter that talks about how you both compliment each other.
This theme is good anytime, but especially for Valentine’s Day. If you have a spouse who is not overly mushy and you want to stay away from sending a frilly pink package, this might work better. This theme is focused around your state, hometown and favorite places.
Food specialty from the area:Kansas City might be barbecue sauce, Tennessee could send moon pies, Massachuchettes baked beans. You will know what to send because it should represent your area.
Sending you a piece of home
State outline: Send coasters, t-shirts or other items with your state outline. You can pick up these items around town, but any touristy locations will be bursting at the seams with trinkets that represents the area.
Local sports: Hats, shirts, banners, pennants of a favorite local sports team are great reminders. Also consider taping some games that are on TV and sending those.
Newspaper: Local newspaper, sports sections and comics are universally enjoyed.
Local restaurants: Many restaurants now sell their most famous sauces, spices and non-perishables, some even have souvenirs!
Pictures and postcards: Be sure to include local scenes and places that are important to you.
Don’t forget a letter talking about plans for when your spouse comes home.
What are your favorite themes or items to send in care packages?
Photos courtesy Nina Matthews Photography, Michael Tienzo and the herald post
5 Comments
a lot of cute ideas
i found at book at barnes and noble thats called “why i love you” or something along those lines. i got one to include one in my hubbys package im sending this month. another idea for vday or anniversaries coming up 
they also have other cutesy things there too 
Have kids make homemade stationary kits include stamps and stickers and send them to soldiers so they can write their kids, lil sister and brothers back a letter. They absolutely enjoy it.
How can I find a soldier to send a care package to?
Try anysoldier.com they have lots of service members (of all branches) that they have listed and are always very grateful to receive care packages.
Try anysoldier(dot)com. They are a great resource if you are looking for a servicemember to send a care package to.
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[...] Military spouses and families are constantly trying to send a little piece of home to their service member while they’re apart. Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to show your love and send a piece of home by making homemade or personalized care packages. [...]