Sending Gifts

Missionaries, I need your help writing this post.  Comments are not only welcome, but strongly encouraged!

With the holidays fast approaching, I want to encourage my readers to think about adding a missionary family to their list of "people to shop for" this year.  [And, if you add my family's name to that list, friend, I'll never speak to you again....I promise.... This post is not for my family!]

On my recent post Surving the New Adventure, we discussed the missionary families who have been on the field less than five years.  Later, I got to thinking about how easy it would be to encourage them during the holidays.  So, while you are out shopping over the next couple of weeks {think Black Friday soon}, why not pick up a little something for a missionary and send it?  In fact, you can even wait for those mega clearance sales that start up just after Christmas when stores are eager to sell out their leftover holiday goodies at deep discounts.  Trust me, missionaries don't mind receiving something from the states.... at any time of the year. {wink} 

I hesitate writing this post for fear of sounding like I need a gift {I already have five amazing gifts by the names of hubby, Davey, Nate, Brianna, and Micah... and each are non-returnable.  I also have more blessings than I could ever list for you in a lifetime!}.  However, I am taking the risk at the chance one of you just might take me up on the offer and decide to send a little love package in the mail to a missionary.  And, who knows?  That may be just the encouragement they need to show them they are not forgotten!

So, what kinds of things are appropriate for sending a missionary?  What kinds of things do they miss?  How expensive is it to ship?  What about customs costs once they go to the post office to pick up their package?  With the help of my missionary friends, we are going to help you out with these questions.  [Here's your cue to chime in with your thoughts, missionary friends.  Please feel free to correct this list, add to this list, comment, etc.]

Ideas of what to send a missionary family:

1.  Think "English"

     Most missionaries serve on a field where English is not spoken.  This means that things that are in English are a special commodity, such as books, DVDs, CDs, home decor, puzzle books, games, magazines, etc... and are always a welcome gift.

2.  Think "personalized"

     We have very few items that are personalized with names available in our country, and the items that we occasional find personalized are distinctly Russian names here where we serve.  If you know the names of the missionary children, a unique gift from America would be something with their name on it.... pencils, cups, clothing, blankets, stickers, ornaments, etc... 

3.  Think "lightweight"

     It is definitely expensive to send things to another country.  If you have ever done it, I can just see you nodding your head in agreement right now.  It can be very easy to spend more in shipping than you spent in buying your gift if you are not careful.  I won't even start to try listing lightweight things here, but if you can stick with lightweight AND flat, it would be easy to tuck your little gift in a regular envelope to send.  This could be very inexpensive!   (Think about a package of hot chocolate, a seasoning packet, a package of stickers or baseball cards.)

     Here is a link to calculate shipping costs through USPS.  But, don't forget to talk with your missionary about other shipping options.  Sometimes the missionary is experienced and has found other methods for shipping at less expensive rates than the good 'ole post office offers.

4.  Think "American"

     Many of the stores and products you see on a regular basis are things missionaries miss the most.  Why?  Because those things are specifically American products and only sold in America.  This may take a little bit of research on your part, but a few ideas might be: Bath & Body Works, Cracker Barrel gift shop, etc... 

5.  Think "special treats"

   

     I think that most of the time, missionary families miss the tastes of America more than anything.   Whatever used to be a favorite snack when a missionary lived in America becomes a craved for, tangible piece of "back home." I loved Reese's peanut butter cups when I lived in America the first 23 years of my life.  But now, because we do not have them here in Ukraine, when I eat one I suck on it and let the flavors just ooze slowly down my throat.  Honest.  They are that good!  For my hubby, it is Starbucks coffee beans that he finds pleasure in grinding, then smelling (over and over again), and then slowly drinking.  And, for as many missionaries as there exist, there are that many longed-for-"back-home-only" flavors.  Don't believe me?  Go check out this post at Mrs. JohninGhana where 63 comments were left for a recent giveaway for missionary mamas only.  In that post the missionary mamas were asked to leave a comment telling of the best thing they could ever receive in a box from America.

6.  Think "Christian"

     Basically, anything that you can get at a Christian bookstore is something that most missionaries can not get on their field.  Things like Patch the Pirate CDs, Adventures in Odyssey CDs, or any other type of listening pleasure for the children would be fun.  Have a favorite Christian DVD?  Your favorite missionary family might like a copy too (sometimes, just hearing the English is a pleasure all in itself)!  And, of course, great Christian books are always welcome in missionary homes!

7.  Think "holiday"

    Things that you see all around the grocery store aisles during the holidays are usually not the same things missionaries are seeing in their grocery stores / markets at that time.  Think about Valentine candies, Easter bunny chocolates, candy corn at Thanksgiving etc... Most of these traditions are American-only traditions!

I really hope I have inspired you to send a care package soon.  If you do, let me know!  I'd love to hear about it!  And, if you're a missionary, please share...

What would you enjoy receiving in a box from America?