So, best way for rest of us to let troops know we care about them, is to send a donation of $25.00 to sponsor a care package through United Service Organizations, Inc. (USO.) USO care packages will include pre-paid phone cards, sunscreen, toiletries, disposable camera and a message from donor thanking them for their service and sacrifice.

It still makes for an easy party idea: Each family brings a $25.00 check made out to USO and fills out a USO form stating their personal message to troops. The collective package of checks and forms is then sent to:

Operation USO Care Package Post Office Box 8069 Topeka, KS 66608

Questions? Call: 571-262-1485 or email questions@USOCarePackage.org. To discuss fund raising opportunities, please contact Lisa Frederick at lisa.frederick@fmmc.army.mil.

Susan Fitter, M.A., AICI cares about manners because people with manners care. Catch her at: www.MannersHelp.com.

I like comprehensive kits better because you get more for your money and I love a bargain. You can use them again and again, loan them to friends and relatives who are hosting other showers, and even sell them on Ebay or at a garage sale to recoup some of your money.

The games included (as well as all of other aspects of baby shower planning software) can be modified and specially personalized for your party. You can include name of your guest of honor in a word scramble for instance. You can also make printouts match your baby shower theme.

Basically, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for. If your guests are not acquainted with each other, you should skip baby shower game ideas for free. When your guests don’t know each other, shower games are more important. You should be willing to spend more to have your guests interact and get to know each other.

If your guests are all family members or old friends who are already well-acquainted, you might want to spend more on shower refreshments or shower favors and find baby shower game ideas for free. Your priorities usually depend on your guest list.

Because you can usually pick up a baby shower kit for less than $30, I would advise you to go for extra perks of a deluxe kit with a large number of printable games available. Whatever you choose, good luck and have a great shower party!

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