Halloween Care Package Ideas: 4 Tips and Spouse Spotlights

For this post, I wanted to highlight a couple spouses who are seasoned pros at putting together care packages. Skylar and Sophie gave us their thoughts on why care packages are essential and a few tips to help you make your best box yet. They also sent us some photo inspiration of boxes they recently completed for fall. And stay tuned below for four spook-tacular tips to give you some Halloween care package ideas! 

Spouse Spotlight: Skylar Scott and Bryant Scott.

Branch of Service: Bryant is in the Air Force. We are stationed in Florida.

How did you meet? We met in middle school through a mutual friend at a church gathering.

How many care packages have you sent? About four. All of them were during tech school.

Tell us about your care packages. We did long distance in high school, and I always sent “care packages,” but the first time I sent one while he was in the military was when he was in tech school. I always have a theme! I put things he needs in them and things that I see at the store that make me think of him – snacks, treats, and easy dorm food! I love using Pinterest, and I normally spend 1-2 nights doing everything, including decoration, shopping, and packing.

What are some things your spouse loved that you included? He loves when I send his favorite cookies and tuna “lunchables”.

Do you have a favorite package you’ve put together? The Halloween-themed one was my favorite. 

How long does it take packages to arrive? It has always taken 2-3 days.

Why do you think sending care packages is important? It’s important to boost morale and let them know you’re thinking of them! Plus, they don’t always get the time to get the things they want or have the same things where they live now that they have at home.

What advice would you give to someone who is working on putting together their first care package? Just put forth your best effort. It doesn’t have to be pretty; they will love it regardless!

What Halloween care package ideas can you give us? The boxes from the post office are normally best, but don’t be afraid to go buy a 50¢ box from Target or Walmart to fit more stuff! It normally doesn’t cost that much more to ship! Also, shop at the Dollar Tree and Dollar General for as many things as you can.

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Spouse Spotlight: Sophie Bourget-Torres and Emanuel Ortega-Torres

Branch of Service: My husband is in the Air Force. We are headed to our first duty station this December! We are headed to FE Warren AFB in Wyoming. He is Security Forces.

How did you meet? We met in our high school’s JROTC program. He was 3rd squad team leader, and I was 2nd squad team leader.

How many care packages have you sent? I have now sent about ten packages.

Tell us about your care packages . I decided to send my first package as soon as he went to his tech school! The package was very small. It was MINT themed. Everything had mint in the products. I had mint chocolate chip cookies, mint gum, mint chapstick, etc. The theme was “We Were Mint To Be!” I just put everything mint-flavored that I could find. I used Pinterest and AF Moms BMT- care package page on FB. It took me maybe three days.

What are some things your spouse loved that you included? He loves pictures of us and homemade snacks. I’ve made a tie blanket before. I also sent cleaning supplies once, and he loved that box. I highly suggest sending cleaning supplies and things they can really use.

Do you have a favorite package you’ve put together? I just finished making three fall packages – one for him and two for his friends. They had three tie blankets in them. They had fall food in them, and they all enjoyed the boxes!

How long does it take packages to arrive? Two weeks.

Why do you think sending care packages is important? It shows them that they aren't alone. They have pieces of home with them, people are behind them every step of the way, and they have constant support.

What advice would you give to someone who is working on putting together their first care package? Send pictures! You do not need to spend lots of money. Check out the dollar stores!

4 Halloween Care Package Ideas

1) Pick a Theme!

A Punny Halloween

Incorporate puns and goofy decorations to create a playful package. Here are a few of my favorite Halloween jokes and puns:

• What kind of music do mummies play at Halloween parties? Wrap!
• Why did the ghost go to the bar? For the boos!
• How did the skeleton know it was going to be a great Halloween? He could feel it in his bones!
• Creep It Real
• Hey, boo-tiful!
• Eat, Drink and Be Scary
• Let’s Get This Party Startled

A Halloween Feature Film Package

Load up a box with some popcorn, candy and a movie for a long-distance date in a box!  Hocus Pocus is a personal favorite, but there are hundreds of classic Halloween movies out there.

2) Package By Color

Pick a few classic Halloween colors and focus all of your decorations and items around those colors. You could go for a candy corn color scheme (say that five times fast!). Throw in some  candy corn, yellow garland around the box edges, and these adorable tiny orange pumpkins! Purple and green create an extra creepy vibe, and you can never go wrong with traditional black and orange.

3) Have Fun with the Decor

Halloween decorations are so much fun, and spoiling your service member is the time to go all out! After you’ve stuffed your box full of ghoul-dies (terrible pun, I know), top it off with fake bones (like Skylar did above) or some faux webs and spiders. My husband is terrified of snakes, so you bet I’d put this  bad boy on top. Just call me wife of the year!

4) Go for novelty!

While your service member probably loves the homemade treats and long-missed staples you send, adding some Halloween-specific items is a fun touch this time of year. Here is a quick roundup of my favorite Halloween novelty items! Do you have a favorite? Let us know in the comments!

I want to extend a special thank you to Skylar and Sophie for sharing their thoughts with us, and I hope these tips were helpful. If you (or someone you know), love sending care packages to your service member, I’d love to chat with you!

If you’re mailing this package overseas, make sure you mail the box by mid-October. For tips on mailing care packages, check out our  step-by-step guide!

Other Halloween Care Package Ideas? Comment below!