Sending Gifts to Service Members for the Holidays

As the holiday season approaches, there are some things to keep in mind if you are planning to send gifts to service members for the holidays.

Deadlines for mailing holiday packages to service members overseas are rapidly approaching. The U.S. Postal Service is providing free mailing-kits containing four Priority Mail boxes, six Priority Mail flat rate boxes, 10 Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape and 10 customs forms with envelopes. Send as much as you can fit into a Priority mail flat-rate box to any APO or FPO address for $8.10, regardless of weight. Pay attention to the deadlines, because mailing is expected to be heavy this year. All packages must designate a specific service member's name. The kit may be ordered by calling the USPS Expedited Package Supply Center at 1-800-610-8734.

The following deadlines are for Christmas delivery
Note: Hanukkah deadlines are 10 days earlier

Parcel Post Nov. 13
Space-Available Mail Nov. 27
Parcel Airlift Mail Dec. 4
Priority Mail* Dec. 11
First Class (letters/cards)* Dec. 11
Express Mail Military Service** Dec. 19

*Except mail going to APO/FPO Zip codes: deadline for these locations is Dec. 4

**EMMS not available to APO/FPO starting with 093
Call your US Postal Service with any questions about mailing to family and friends stationed overseas.

"Gifts from the Homefront" is a safe alternative to traditional care packages that place unnecessary strain on the military mail system or jeopardize security. The certificates can be used for merchandise already stocked at any AAFES (the Army and Air Force Exchange Service) facility around the world, including more than 50 stores throughout central and southwest Asia. The program allows service members to purchase convenience items as well as necessities at PX and BX facilities around the world.

"Gifts from the Homefront" certificates can be purchased from AAFES by friends and families or groups and addressed to "any service member." Charitable partners including the Red Cross, USO, Air Force Aid Society and Fisher House then distribute the certificates to the military base. To order the certificates, visit the AAFES Web site at http://www.aafes.com or call 877-770-4438.

The “Help Our Troops Call Home” Program allows people to purchase a Military Exchange Prepaid Phone Card for U.S. troops stationed overseas. The program makes it easy for deployed military members to call home and stay in touch with family and friends. Hearing a familiar voice is one of the best ways to boost morale and feeling of well being for our troops.

Each card costs $39 and provides more than two hours of call time from call center locations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. Cards can be sent to "any service member" who is deployed or hospitalized. Charitable partners, including the Red Cross, USO, Air Force Aid Society and Fisher House, distribute the cards earmarked for "any service member."

Though the cards are widely sold by other retailers, AAFES offers the best value with lower rates and connection charges. To order the 550-Unit Military Exchange Prepaid Phone Card, visit the AAFES Web site at www.aafes.com or call 800-527-2345.