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Determine your budget. Figure out when you need to ship it. Research shipping regulations. Determine your boyfriend’s needs.

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It’s easy to get out of hand with buying gifts for someone you care about, so stay firm on your budget. Remember that the most meaningful items for your boyfriend will likely be those that are sentimental in nature, and that the effort behind your care package will mean a lot to him, too. Make sure you factor in shipping costs to your budget. The heavier and bulkier your box is, the more expensive your shipping will be. You will also pay shipping costs based on how far the box needs to travel. You can get an estimate of what you’ll pay for shipping on your shipping company’s website. If you want to get the gift to him on a certain day, pay attention to shipping dates. The closer to the deadline you ship it, the more expensive it will be or the less likely it is to get there on time. During holidays, shipping companies and post offices will usually indicate a “ship by” date to help you determine when you should mail your package in order for it to arrive in time for the holiday. You can check with your preferred carrier to help you determine your shipping deadline. Make sure you know what you can and cannot send through the mail. If your boyfriend is in the military, he may be subject to additional regulations about what he can receive in the mail.  Make sure your package doesn’t include prohibited items, including weapons, explosives, and alcohol. Policies vary by shipping company, so do your research beforehand.  Use extra caution if shipping overseas. Many countries have specific regulations about what can be sent through the mail. In general, sending perishable food (such as produce, meat, and dairy products) is subject to regulation and are best avoided. Specific country restrictions can be found here: http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/ab_toc.htm A good care package will include some necessities, some treats, and some sentimental reminders of home. Factor in the availability of goods at your boyfriend’s location. For example, if he is just in another part of the country at college, he probably has access to the same goods as you do, so you may want to focus your care package more on local treats and sentimental items. If he is deployed in a developing country, he will appreciate more necessities than sentimental items.  Remember to keep size and weight of all items in mind as you make your purchasing decisions. Consider some special items if your boyfriend is on deployment. You may wish to consult some lists about what items servicemen and women want and need while on deployment. Some items you may want to send include powdered drink mix, individual packets of condiments (such as hot sauce), socks, batteries, or puzzle books.