Cracking the Code to an Egg-straordinary DIY Easter Care Package
Create the Ultimate Easter Care Package That Will Make Your Troop Hop with Happiness
It's that time of the year again when the air is filled with the scent of spring and the world is painted in pastel hues. As a military wife, I've learned the art of bridging distances with a blend of creativity, love, and a sprinkle of humor.
This year, my littles and I embarked on a special mission: to create an Easter care package for my husband, who's currently deployed. So, grab a cup of your favorite brew, and let me take you through our adorable ensemble.
Shipping Smart: USPS Military Care Package Kit
The Lifesaver: Free Shipping Supplies
Did you know that the USPS offers a free "Military Care Kit"? This has been a lifesaver for us. The kit includes:
Two Priority Mail APO/FPO/DPO Flat Rate Boxes.
Two Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate Boxes.
Priority Mail tape.
Priority Mail address labels.
Appropriate customs forms.
You can order this kit by calling 1-800-610-8734 and asking for the Military Care Kit, or through the USPS website. It's designed specifically for sending packages to military members overseas, and it's absolutely free!
Special Note: I personally ordered two kits at the same time. But if your significant other is gone more or less, you can calculate how many care packages you would like to send and then request that many kits be delivered to your home.
Navigating Customs Forms and Regulations
Filling out customs forms can be a bit daunting, but it's crucial for ensuring your package reaches its destination without hiccups. Make sure to list every item in the box and follow the guidelines for prohibited items. You can find this information on the USPS website or by calling their helpline.
Let’s Easterize The USPS Box
Easter is all about new beginnings, and what screams new life more than adorable baby chicks?
Since our Valentine’s Day Care Package received a resounding thumbs-up (pun intended haha), we knew that we could use our thumbs to yet again aid us in the cute design of this holiday box of joy. Armed with orange construction paper, yellow paint, those ever-essential googly eyes, and a black Sharpie, we set out to work.
After cutting and attaching the orange construction paper to each flap, we glued a white envelope to the bottom - for something punny that I’ll show you in just a bit! And for the top flap, I used my Canva account to type out, "Cheep-cheep hooray, we're a third of the way!" and printed it off using my Dymo 4XL Label Maker. Because, well, who doesn't love a good pun and reminder of when our family will be reunited?
An ImPECKable Greeting - DIY Baby Chick Thumbprints
With orange construction paper securely glued and taped onto the flaps of the USPS box, my littles and I took turns dipping our thumbs in yellow paint to create adorable baby chicks. Each thumbprint was the body of a little chick, and with the addition of some googly eyes and a few pen strokes, voila! A brood of cheery chicks hatched right before our eyes.
Bonus Tip: Use a hot glue gun to attach the chick eyes for a fast, strong, and durable hold.
Egg-stravagant Treats and Sweets
What's Easter without some sweets?
Chocolate covered almonds make the best bunny poop!
Mini packs of Lightly Salted Roasted Cashews fit perfectly inside plastic Easter eggs.
The Chicken Sriracha and Lemon flavor Epic Bars fit in seamlessly with the Easter theme.
Pistachios make the cutest “carrot seeds.”
Our family favorites: Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs and Skinny Pop Popcorn were the sprinkles on top of a perfectly curated snack pack.
But of course we couldn’t miss out on adding some treats!
Bunny ears to wear of course!
Egg shaped chalk, who said chalk is just for kids?
Egg shaped bouncy balls - because why not!
And last but not least, we included snapshots of recent family moments and candid captures of daily life. In this digital age, photos are a click away, but there's something timeless about printed pictures.
Remember: If you're sending chocolates or anything that might melt, consider the climate where your loved one is stationed.
Chick This Out: Baby Chick Handprint Art
Anyone who knows me knows I'm all about those personal touches. So, we made sure that we included a super special sentimental something, like my favorite - handprint art, to take our package up a notch!
Picture this: my littles, with their hands dipped in sunny yellow paint, giggling as they press their palms onto paper. Each handprint transformed into an adorable baby chick, complete with googly eyes, orange beaks, and adorable feet. Not only did this craft fill our afternoon with laughter, but it also captured a moment in time, showing their dad how much they've grown since he last held those tiny hands.
Ways to be a Comedi-hen: Easter Theme Puns
What's an Easter care package without a bit of humor? We peppered our box with Easter, chicks, and bunny puns. These little touches of humor are our way of sending smiles across the miles. Here are a few egg-cellent puns we scribbled down:
Hey there, hop stuff.
Some-bunny misses you!
Don’t worry, be hoppy.
You're egg-stra special!
No bunny compares to you.
Have an egg-ceptional Easter!
Chick-ing in to say we love you!
We’re egg-cited that you’re coming home soon.
After coming up with our favorite ones, I hopped into my Canva account - choosing an adorable font to type the notes onto. Then, I printed them on my Dymo 4XL Label Maker where the labels come with a self-adhesive backing that made it super easy to stick to colorful cardstock. Once they were all completed, I placed them inside the white envelope glued to the bottom orange flap of the USPS box sealed with an extra little note from me to keep the notecards from falling out into the rest of the items.
The Heart Behind the Package
As we sealed the box, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. Pride, love, a bit of sadness, but above all, hope. This package was more than just a box of treats and crafts; it was a tangible representation of our love and connection, despite the physical distance.
To all the military families out there, creating and sending a care package can be a therapeutic way to feel closer to your loved one. It's a small act, but it carries a significant impact, both for you and the person receiving it.
It's these little moments that help us keep our spirits high and our connections strong. I hope our journey inspires you to create your own package of love, no matter where in the world your loved one might be.
Remember, the distance may be vast, but love always finds a way. Happy crafting and Happy Easter!
