A Christmas gift for a soldier

[lost-and-found]

Allright guys/gals. My buddy has recently (3 months ago) been shipped to Mosul. Now, Christmas is comming up and I was just wondering what the best gift would be for me to get him. He's 21/22. Me being a college student w/o a job, deep in student loans, I'm on a very thin budget, but I still would like to get him something tha twould be of use to him. Any ideas from those of you in similar situations are greatly appreciated.

My first idea, although probably not really realistic, was to buy him one of those disposable cell phones so he could talk to his family at least for the life of the cell phone instead of just communicating through e-mail...don't know how that would work out.

[M_Six]

You'd have to make sure you got a cell phone that worked in Iraq. That could be tricky. You may want to find out if there's some food or candy he likes but cannot buy over there. If he doesn't already have a camera, another option would be to buy a bunch of disposable cameras and send them over. He could send them back undeveloped as he finished using them.

[johnnycombat]

The favorites from my days in the filed were always porn and baby wipes. Since they have been there a while they can probably get their own porn, so you might want to think about CDs, DVDs, playing cards. Entertainment is at a premium some place like that.

[RADAR1797]

DVDs, lots of DVDs.

-RADAR

[Warthog]

Does he have a game system? Maybe you could get him a few games. I also second the DVD part...throw in a few magazines, too, some food...

Warthog

[lost-and-found]

cool. Well, he doesn't have a laptop, and no game system. I'm sure he'll be fond of food.

[Warthog]

You can still give him DVDs, regardless....I'm sure he has access to a DVD player.

[Omardeth]

why guess , why not just ask him what he really wants ?

[Warthog]

Communication with him might be difficult.

Me being a college student w/o a job, deep in student loans, I'm on a very thin budget

Kinda missed that part....not to go off track but what stops some of you college guys from getting part time jobs once or twice a week? As a HS student, I worked Friday and Saturday nights being a busboy at a fine dining restaurant pulling in $15-20/hour...never any less than $10 (cash tips + hourly wage). And you get off around 11....still can do your party thing if you want. *shrugs* I dunno, I'd be all over a job.

Warthog

Warthog

[lost-and-found]

well, I do work, but it's for a family business so I don't get paid. And I also take 20 units, so that leaves no time for other work.

[Warthog]

well, I do work, but it's for a family business so I don't get paid.

What??? Crazyness.

[GroundZero3]

my brother in law is in afghan right now, and my dad sends him spaghetti o's cause he loves it. Simple stuff will make him happy like food, candy, pictures

[RADAR1797]

I was esctatic to get Tabasco when I was deployed. The food is pretty good over there if you are in garrision, but there is no spice to it at all.

-RADAR

[sharder8]

Big reminder . . . . . p0rn is a big no-no over there!

Food and snacks were always a favorite of mine when I was in the field.

And since Radar brought it up . . . . there is a spice carrier that has 6-8 different spices in the one dispenser, I don't know if they're still available, but that sure added flavor to the food. Hot sauce was always a biggie as well.

Harder

[ShyguyXPC]

You should search on the internet and you will get your answer.

Hey Einstein... how do you think they came to the site (via the internet)? Also might want to check the date of the last reply prior to yours...