The Troops package has NOT gone out yet. I've been in touch with my contact in Iraq and it is between 80 and 130 degrees on any given day there. They have running water most of the time, but we aren't talking tubs and sinks and showers with heated water. Not a bunch of luxuries. So, with this in mind, I was trying to think of what products I could send that wouldn't melt. Initially I thought conditioning facial mask, that I could send in powder form, but my husband gave me that eye-rolling-you've-got-to-be-kidding-look. "You think soldiers are going to sit around and make facial masks for themselves?" Okay, he has a point. There are probably not many metrosexuals there and the ones who like to take care of their skin don't want to scream it from the roof tops. I get it.
So. I've decided I am going to make batches and batches of salt soap and ship it over along with washcloths and some other dried goodies. I really did think it would be cooler out there and our creams, butters and scrubs would be nice for them, but I will have to create this wondrous package with the unmeltables.
If you have any suggestions, please let me know. I'm all ears. The package will go out in about 6 weeks, when all the soap batches we make finish curing.
8 comments:
I'd think that the creams would be welcomed any time of year, especially if it's a dry heat and they're scoured by sand. I'm embarrassed to say I don't know much about the weather over there (and me being married to a climatologist).
I think that salt bars, or any soap, are a great choice.
Well, there are MANY female soldiers over there who might appreciate a facial masque - but the bars of soap sound like a great way to go too:)
Just suggestions that I cut/paste into here from someone who has sent lots of packages for the troops:
Powdered drink flavoring, such as Crystal Lite to enhance the taste of the water
Seasoning spices for adding to food (e.g., hot sauce, mustard of varying spices, Cajun pepper)
Wrapped hard salami (non-refrigerated) and hearty crackers
Microwave popcorn
Peanuts, sunflower seeds, trail mix
Chips and canned dips
Hard candy and gum
Coffee individual bags or instant; creamer
Drawings or letters from kids!!
Sports sections from newspapers, recent sports magazines, comics from newspaper
Soduko and crossword puzzle books or from newspaper
Purell or other type of hand sanitizer (you can never have enough, depending on their job).
(Hey-Im thinking handmade!)
Joanna~ you are doing a WONDERFUL thing!
My son was in Iraq last year. It does get incredibly hot! He liked getting anything with anti-bacterial or anti-fungal properties. Also, the port-a-potties that were on his base got pretty foul-smelling so anything to use in them to make them smell better was appreciated too.
Hi Joanne, Here are a couple of quick ideas that came to mind. A sore muscle balm would come in handy which could be done in a liquid form with oils and essential oils which are antifungal/anitbacterial and mentholated properties in a rollerball. Even arnica infused oil with some eo's for extra boost could be an idea as well. Foot powder with zinc oxide in it and antifungal etc eo's for feet. Foot spa powder (crushed up bath bombs) with some epsom salts for tired feet and cooling eo's. Lipbalm in a summer formulation, ie more candellia wax. Aloe vera gel in a tube/tottle for sun and windburn.
You are so smart. Thank you!
Send it out once winter hits. It gets COLD in Iraq in wintertime, and the product won't melt. Come December/January, it's definitely NOT warm over there.
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