Travel Care Package for BF ideas? (long)

alanna91

Hey ladies!

BF will be taking a month long study abroad trip to China starting in a few days (the longest we've been apart was ten days and that was last summer when I went away for some ROTC training, I think I'm taking this pretty well!!). He'll be on the plane for about twenty four hours. I want to buy him some little things to take with him on the plane like a bags of his favorite candy, a magazine, extra headphones or something.
I was also thinking about running down to JoAnn Fabrics and picking up some cool Boston Bruins or NE Patriots fabric to make him a little fleece blanket,  but is that a wicked stupid idea?
I made him this awesome bear:

For our first Christmas together and while I'm sure he "loved" it, I probably thought it was a way better gift idea than it really was. Not sure if he'd wanna cuddle up in a home made fleece blanket on a plane, but maybe the sports logo will make it more manly...:P

Any ideas for the little travel care package? What are some things you always wish you had on a plane but seem to forget? The longest plane ride I've ever taken was three hours so I was pretty well prepared.

While we're on the subject of travel, where are some of the cool places you've been? I know there are some world travelers on this board. Any funny travel stories?! I'm just sitting around so I'd love to hear

peekaboo2011

FI went on a 3 week trip through FL and then an 8 week one through the US.  The first was hanging out with kids with disabilities, the second was renovating camps for kids with disabilities.  I sent care packages for both.

I tried to do goofy things and sweet things and edible things.  Favorite candies, etc.  His favorite gifts were the homemade peanut butter and chocolate brownies...and a pair of my super skanky underwear.  ;-)

alanna91

Skanky underwear! I love it. I was actually thinking of sending him something like that.  I'm definitely going to bake him something now that you mention it. I'll even use real butter and eggs instead of flax seed and earth balance...and I'm sure he'd appreciate that haha.

Also, your FI sounds like a really great guy to do all that charity and volunteer work!

alanna91

 Liv, sleep aid is a great idea! I would have never thought of that and I'm sure he wouldn't have either. He's going to have horrible jet lag. I think I might make him neck pillow along with the blanket too (I'm glad I'm not the only one who would like a home made fleece blanket :P ). I don't know if his airline will give them socks, but that's also a really great idea. I know that planes have fluctuating temperatures.
And if you don't mind me asking, what did you do in Ethiopia?

Thanks for your help!! I'm getting exciting to shop now, especially since it's not for me and I can't feel guilty about it

alanna91

That sounds like it was an incredible job... the type that people wish they had. What a great experience. My friend was unsure about weather to go for her MSW after undergrad and I tried to help her out by saying it would be an incredibly rewarding career path, and that kind of cements it for me. I hope she ends up following through with it. I just can't imagine how great of a feeling it must have been to be able to have done that for work.

Also, matching neck pillow/blanket is a wicked good idea. I didn't even think to match them, but it will look even more awesome (haha) and cost lest for fabric!!

jorja86

I will second the sleep aid idea...I was going to mention Melatonin. It's a herbal supplement, so be careful if he's taking any other medications, or has allergies, but it's supposed to be amazing for helping with jet-lag.

I don't want to thread jack, but I'll also second the statement that Liv's old job sounds amazing. Probably emotionally draining, but amazing.

Sparrow87

Even if he'd feel like a dork with the fleece on the plane, I'm sure he'd appreciate having it in China. 

LBug24

I know this not exactly what you were looking for, BUT another idea:

in high school I dated a guy who was in a ~*~band*~* (yes, I was totally that girl in highschool. ;x) and was going on tour for a month.. I wanted to do something fun for him, but knew I couldn't do anything that took up too much space.
I went out to an arts and crafts store and bought one of those organizational hobby boxes  (like this). I bought really silly/cheap things that would either be useful, make him smile/laugh, or symbolized our relationship somehow. One thing for each box (I'm talking mini sharpies, nail clippers, non-melting candy, notes, etc).. Then I cut out little cardstock boxes and covered each slot with a card that was labeled the date for each day. When it was all done, the box was like a custom advent calendar. He got to open up the next "box" each day he was gone. I painted and decorated the box and gave it off! He LOVED it and it always gave us something fun to talk about each day, as some of the things were a stretch and needed an explanation (this was also awesome because conversation can sometimes be hard to start up when you're both feeling the distance!)

Anyways, the whole project was really fun for me to make and he was really amazed by all of it.
In retrospect, I'm a little bummed I used such a creative and awesome idea on something that ended so sourly.. but take that idea and put it to good use for a good man if you wish!!!

lunarsongbird

I love LBug's idea! If he doesn't have enough space...you can write him a little letter for each day he will be gone. I would just love that if I were him!!

Also- did anyone say ear plugs? I love ear plugs when I'm on a plane.

I'll ask Andrew about this when he gets home (From looking for a job!!!) for a male perspective.