an elf christmas deployment care package

When Betsy of Java Cupcake asked for volunteers this year to bake care packages for her husband’s troop in Afghanistan I knew right away that I needed to get involved. Not only did I need to bake, but I needed to spread Christmas cheer to a group of soldiers who would not be home for the holidays.

Bloggers Around the World Supporting the Troops is a Deployment Care Package Program sponsored by JavaCupcake.com and is designed to inspire bloggers to use their creative expertise to put together themed care packages to send to a platoon of deployed soldiers in Afghanistan. Betsy’s husband and his platoon were deployed to the Kandahar Provence of Afghanistan to aid in the pulling out of the US Army as their time there comes to an end. As they have been away for several holidays this year, I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of some extra holiday cheer than our troops overseas. I was honored to bake for these men and women and had so much fun putting together their care package.

I had originally come up with a completely different theme, but after seeing Elf at the store last month, I just knew that I had to share the joy of my favorite movie. I picked up a copy for the soldiers to watch during their down time and put together a fun package inspired by Buddy himself. Each soldier received a small stocking filled with some of Buddy’s favorites – gumdrops, candy canes and a Starbucks Peppermint Mocha VIA to make the World’s Best Cup of Coffee. The candies and via were sealed in a festive Ziplock baggie and nestled in the stocking with a hand written note of warm wishes and big thanks.

I wanted a cookie that would ship well and taste as delicious as the day it was baked when it arrived and I knew gingerbread men would be just perfect. I baked up a troop of gingerbread men, one for each soldier, and paired them with some festive holiday Funfetti frosting. Whether they choose to meticulously decorate works of edible art or just dunk the cookies in the frosting, either way the’re sure to be delicious. Everything was sealed tight and heavily padded in a Priority Mail box and headed out late November with the following note. Here’s to hoping their holidays will be a little sweeter this year.

Buddy the Elf teamed up with Santa to make sure you have a very Merry Christmas!

He passed through the seven layers of the candy cane forest and through the sea of swirly twirly gumdrops to send you some holiday sweets.

Mrs. Claus baked up a batch of her famous gingerbread men for you to decorate and enjoy and Buddy even sent you the World’s Best Cup of Coffee.

Thanks for all that you do and for staying off of the naughty list this year. Remember, that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

RESOURCES
Gingerbread Cut Out Cookie Recipe
Tips for Shipping Baked Goods
USPS APO/FPO Guidelines