Father’s Day for a military family often looks slightly different.
While other families may be enjoying cookouts, playing catch, or family time with the kids, military spouses prepare the handmade cards weeks in advance, navigate custom forms, and hope the care package makes it overseas in time for the special day.
When Dad is deployed, the celebration is different.
The love may be just as strong- but feelings of loneliness and sadness often accompany it.
Navigating holidays during a deployment is hard… and there is no getting around that.
One of the best ways to celebrate holidays like Father’s Day during a deployment is to send a care package!
I love sending care packages. It always makes me feel more connected, and I can’t help but feel giddy as I prepare them.
Your kids can feel the same excitement—if you’re excited, they will be, too!
Whether you’re a seasoned pro at mailing care packages, want your “first Father’s Day” care package for a new dad to be extra special, or are new to deployments, I’ve got tips and ideas to help make your Father’s Day care package full of love!
Because even from thousands of miles away, we can still celebrate our hero on Father’s Day!
Note: Some links may be affiliate links. That means I may make a commission if you use my links to purchase, at no extra added cost to you! Harmonizingthechaos.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and affiliate advertising program. I only recommend products that I personally love and believe in. Full disclaimer here
How to create the perfect Father’s Day Care Package
The perfect Father’s Day care package doesn’t require anything fancy, and it doesn’t need that perfect Instagram aesthetic.
It needs love… and a little planning.
It’s all about sending a little bit of home, and reminding your hero how much they are loved and celebrated.
Sweet Gifts From The Heart
This should be the favorite part of making your Father’s Day care package.
This is your opportunity to show love! Get creative, and include the kids!
The Box
Let the kids decorate the insides and flaps of the boxes. If they are really little, give them some markers and let them scribble away!
If they are older, let them have free rein!
This may look like gluing drawings inside, using stickers, or writing messages.
Letting them decorate their Daddy’s care package will get them so excited! It will likely continue the feelings of anticipation of their deployed dad receiving it, instead of dreading the upcoming Father’s Day.
Related Post:
What To Include In Your Father’s Day Care Package
Hand-Made Letters
This is where you can really let your military spouse and their Father feel loved.
Let the kids draw pictures and write sweet notes. If you have toddlers, create some sweet crafts! This is the perfect opportunity for your kids to express themselves.
Include some “Open When Letters”, or even some “Daddy Coupons”
And remember—they shouldn’t be perfect- because in this military life, we need personal, meaningful, and a little messy!
Their messy little creations are the perfect gift.
Can’t find the right words? Here are some Sweet and Inspirational Father’s Day Quotes
Homemade Treats
Baking tasty treats can be pretty tricky when sending them overseas. You really need to be selective!
In my experience with Father’s Day care packages, brownies and cookies were often the perfect choice for sending baked goods.
I had some ultimate fails…especially with a mason jar cake recipe!
Vacuum seal these sweet goods to ensure they are still good when their dad receives them. It really does ensure freshness.
Tip: Bake the sweet treats no more than a day before you send off the package. Remember—it can take at least two weeks for them to receive the Happy Father’s Day care package.
Practical Items and Necessities
Don’t forget to use this care package for dads as an opportunity to send some of their practical items!
Read More: The Essentials Every Care Package Needs
Favorite Snacks
Do they prefer sweet or salty? Include some of both!
Here are some snack ideas that are perfect for sending in care packages
Salty Snacks
- Beef Jerky
- Canned Nuts
- Peanut Butter
- Trail Mix
Sweet Treats
- Gummy Candy
- Hard Candy
- Granola Bars
Drink Mixes
Don’t be afraid to let the kids include one of their favorite snacks… sharing is such a sweet form of love, and for many little kids, that’s how they express it.
Father’s Day Gifts
How to Celebrate Father’s Day Over Distance
Remember, many of your children’s friends will be celebrating with their fathers, which can put the kids in a complex and emotional state.
- Plan the Skype call
- Open the box together
Timing Your Care Package
Timing your care packages can be tricky- there is no guarantee that it will be Father’s Day.
In my experience, care packages, on average, take two weeks to arrive. However, I had a few care packages that took over a month.
Sadly, this is just a part of military life.
You should send it two weeks before Father’s Day at minimum; if you want an extra buffer, you can send it three to four weeks ahead of time.
If you want to be safe and send it earlier, you’ll need to be more mindful of any perishable goods you make.
Save This Pin!
My Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, this Father’s Day care package isn’t about sending the perfect gift. It’s about sharing love. It affirms your family’s love, no matter the distance!
And to all the military spouses and significant others out there- give yourself grace! Deployments are so complex, and you’re doing your best.
So here’s to incredible dads, and resilient kids, and the love that holds the chaos of this military life together!
Happy Father’s Day!
Leave a Reply