Jump to content
six7one

Balikbayan Box - What Would You Send

By six7one in Philippines

 Share

25 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

six7one Collaborator

six7one   17

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

I want to send some items to my fiancee and family. I have an idea of things to send, but like some of your thoughts on items they would like or need. This box is going to the Province and not Manila. Thanks in advance.

01/12/2013: POE
02/14/2013: MARRIED ON VALENTINE'S DAY!
03/18/2013: AOS Sent via USPS Express Mail
03/28/2013: NOA - AOS, AP, EAD
04/25/2013: Biometrics

05/28/2013: RFEs for EADs and APs

06/17/2013: AOS Interviews. Approved

06/26/2013: Green Cards Received! (APs and EAD also received but not needed)

Removal of Conditions

===================================

03/25/2015: Mailed I-751

04/06/2015: NOA1

05/05/2015: Biometrics

07/27/2015: RFE

09/07/2015: RFE Response - Additional Evidence Sent

11/19/2015: Interview - APPROVED!

12/15/2016: Green Cards Issued!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
six7one Collaborator

six7one   17

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Better to ask your Fiancee this question.

Thanks Hank. Already did and got those items. I just want to take advantage ofthe space in this box. Still have lots of room to spare. Really just want to send myself :rofl:

01/12/2013: POE
02/14/2013: MARRIED ON VALENTINE'S DAY!
03/18/2013: AOS Sent via USPS Express Mail
03/28/2013: NOA - AOS, AP, EAD
04/25/2013: Biometrics

05/28/2013: RFEs for EADs and APs

06/17/2013: AOS Interviews. Approved

06/26/2013: Green Cards Received! (APs and EAD also received but not needed)

Removal of Conditions

===================================

03/25/2015: Mailed I-751

04/06/2015: NOA1

05/05/2015: Biometrics

07/27/2015: RFE

09/07/2015: RFE Response - Additional Evidence Sent

11/19/2015: Interview - APPROVED!

12/15/2016: Green Cards Issued!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
luvnlife07 Apprentice

luvnlife07   1

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

I want to send some items to my fiancee and family. I have an idea of things to send, but like some of your thoughts on items they would like or need. This box is going to the Province and not Manila. Thanks in advance.

Basic commodities is good since these items are expensive in the Philippines. Items like toothpase, shampoo, bath soap, lotion and etc.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
six7one Collaborator

six7one   17

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Cash.

:rofl: Send Monopoly money in the box maybe

Basic commodities is good since these items are expensive in the Philippines. Items like toothpase, shampoo, bath soap, lotion and etc.

Got some of those. Will get some of your other suggestions. Thanks.

01/12/2013: POE
02/14/2013: MARRIED ON VALENTINE'S DAY!
03/18/2013: AOS Sent via USPS Express Mail
03/28/2013: NOA - AOS, AP, EAD
04/25/2013: Biometrics

05/28/2013: RFEs for EADs and APs

06/17/2013: AOS Interviews. Approved

06/26/2013: Green Cards Received! (APs and EAD also received but not needed)

Removal of Conditions

===================================

03/25/2015: Mailed I-751

04/06/2015: NOA1

05/05/2015: Biometrics

07/27/2015: RFE

09/07/2015: RFE Response - Additional Evidence Sent

11/19/2015: Interview - APPROVED!

12/15/2016: Green Cards Issued!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ChrisB0707 Community Regular

ChrisB0707   4

Posted
Filed: IR-5 Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

Bad thing with chocolate it will melt. With my wife's family we always go to a dollar store and fill up the empty space with cookies, toothpaste, shampoo, soap and anything else.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grant PDX Collaborator

Grant PDX   183

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

I frequently go to Costco and get those boxes of 30/50 bags of chips... takes up a lot of space in those big LBC boxes and they always ask for more. Plus chocolate, clothes, and those other things mentioned above. Dollar store and Costco are your friends. I sent a used PS2 purchased at Gamestop plus a bunch of used games and that was a big hit. At dollar store or Costco I've loaded up on bars of soap (yes, seriously, dozen or more) and they gave them away to friends as gifts from the US and they were a big hit also. Instant coffee and coffeemate, spam, canned meat. Sounds crazy, and actually costs less in the Philippines, but they like that fact that it's imported.

PS. I know my timeline makes me look like a noob. I was married to a filipina for 5 years, have 2 little boys together. Divorced and going through the process again, actually my 3rd fiancee visa over the last bunch of years. I've sent over 25 LBC balikbayan boxes over the years.

Good luck!

Edited by Grant PDX
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Kathy and Jesse Rising Star

Kathy and Jesse   16

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

What balikbayan box are you using? My husband and I are planning to send some stuffs for my family before christmas but we are kinda scared that it will never arrived or some of the items were missing.. :(

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Tintin and Mike Experienced

Tintin and Mike   127

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

You could never go wrong with Spam and Vienna Sausages from Costco :thumbs:

What balikbayan box are you using? My husband and I are planning to send some stuffs for my family before christmas but we are kinda scared that it will never arrived or some of the items were missing.. :(

We've been using Golden Bell here in San Diego, unlimited weight and it arrives in Batangas after 6 weeks on target for $55.

K1
05/22/12 - Mailed I-129F
08/17/12 - Approved I-129F NOA2 (85 days)
11/19/12 - Approved Visa!! (179 days)
12/01/12 - POE Honolulu, HI
12/21/12 - Wedding Day!
AOS, EAD and AP
01/05/13 - Mailed I-485, I-765 and I-131
01/09/13 - USCIS accepted case and received text
01/11/13 - Cashed check
01/08/13 - Received NOA1
01/18/13 - Received Biometrics Appointment Notice
01/22/13 - Early Biometrics Walk-in (scheduled Feb 7)
01/27/13 - We're pregnant!!
02/04/13 - Received Appointment Notice
03/04/13 - Approved EAD and AP (58 days)
03/12/13 - Received EAD and AP combo card
03/12/13 - Interview and Approved GC (63 days)
03/20/13 - Received Green Card

10/3/13 - Baby #1 arrived

2/17/14 - Pregnant again! LOL

10/20/14 - Baby #2 arrived
ROC
01/09/15 - Mailed I-751

01/12/15 - NOA

01/16/15 - Received NOA Letter

01/20/15 - Mailed DMV 1yr Extension

02/05/15 - Received Biometrics Letter

02/09/15 - Early Bio (Walk-IN)

02/19/15 - Biometrics Appointment

06/15/15 - Approved
06/15/15 - Card Ordered and Mailed

08/22/15 - Card Received

N-400 on or after 12/15/15



and they'll live happily ever, ever after...
Relationship Journey: Our pursuit to happiness

Link to comment
Share on other sites
lbounds Community Regular

lbounds   16

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

We send at least 2 lbc boxes a year to her family. We go to Costco and get some of those big bags of assorted mini chocolate bars and other snacks. Chocolates are always a big hit. We send clothes and a few special items. Last time we sent a mahjong game and mini DVD player. We then always go to 99 cent store and fill the rest of the box with soap bars, toothbrushes, shampoo etc. Also school supplies for the kids of her family

Edited by lbounds

K1 timeline :

1/11/10 - I-129F sent to California Service Center

1/19/10 - NOA1

2/18/10 - moved and changed address on USCIS site

2/19/10 - touched

3/10/10 - touched

3/10/10 - NOA2, hardcopy recieved 3/12

3/16/10 - Left NVC, recieved MNL case #

3/22/10 - USEM recieved

4/19/10 - Passed Medical

4/28/10 - Interview - Approved

4/30/10 - Picked up Visa and completed CFO

5/5/10 - POE - Honolulu, Hawaii

5/6/10 - married in Hawaii

AOS timeline:

7/8/10 - received SSN Card

7/16/10 - reported US marriage for RP records

10/18/10 - AOS delivered in Chicago

10/25/10 - NOA1

11/04/10 - Biometrics Letter Received

11/23/10 - Biometrics Completed

11/24/10 - touched

11/26/10 - touched

02/14/11 - AOS approved at Interview, GC ordered

02/22/11 - GC arrives in mail

ROC Timeline:

12/17/12 - I-751 sent to California Service Center

12/20/12 - NOA1 arrives in mail

1/14/13 - Biometrics appointment

4/11/13 - RC Approved at Interview

4/22/13 - 10 Year Green Card arrived in mail

event.png

Always Thankful for God's blessings on our lives..

Link to comment
Share on other sites
actob99 Proficient

actob99   156

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

Blow pops, always a hit when I visit the province...

27 January 2012: Mailed I-129F

03 February 2012: NOA1( e-mail & Text)

03 February 2012: Check Cashed

NO RFE'S

22 June 2012 : NOA2 (e-mail & Text)

16 July 2012: Manila Case Number(by phone)

17 July 2012: Interview paid at BPI

19 July 2012: Set interview for Mid-Aug

23-24 July 2012: Medical St. Lukes(passed)

24 July 2012: CFO Seminar(had to go next morning for landline #)- PASSED

02 Aug 2012: Received e-mail from USEM our case is there.

15 Aug 2012: Interview at USEM - APPROVED

13 SEP 2012: POE Minneapolis, MN

27 OCT 2012: Married

19 NOV 2012: AOS package sent

05 DEC 2012: NOA's I-765, I-131, I-485

14 DEC 2012: Biometrics appointment finished(Walk-in..Was scheduled Jan 04 2013)

02 FEB 2013: I-131 and I-765 Approved

07 FEB 2013: USPS Picked up the combo-card

11 FEB 2013: Received Combo-card

21 FEB 2013: Transit Visa picked up in Chicago for Japan

Link to comment
Share on other sites
calibob Proficient

calibob   73

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

As Halloween is coming, I get the assorted bag of "non meltable candies" that are the big bags in costco or sam's and fill in the space by pouring in the candy to fill the space. I'm sure the kids get a kick out of unpacking it and there is no wasted space. Starbursts , sweetarts, and such. Again spam and vienna sausages, or corned beef are good options for staples.

Bob

  • Married in Manila: 08/20/2010
  • I-130 Sent to lockbox: 10/01/2010
  • I-130 Received: 10/03/2010
  • NOA-1 Received: 10/04/2010
  • NOA-2 Received: 02/01/2011
  • Received NVC: 02/08/2011
  • AOS Bill Generated: 02/10/2011
  • AOS Bill Paid: 02/10/2011
  • DS 3032 Emailed: 02/10/2011
  • IV Bill Generated: 02/14/2011
  • IV Bill Paid: 02/14/2011
  • IV Packet Received @ NVC:02/22/2011
  • NVC Completed 03/08/2011
  • Interview Date Post Sputum results May 17
  • Results negative, Interview scheduled 6/13
  • Placed in A/R 06/13/2011
  • I-601 required 07/18/2011
  • I-601 filed 11/9/2011
  • I-601 approved 11/29/11
  • 2nd Sputum test ordered 12/21/11
  • 2nd Sputum Test passed 02/21/12
  • Visa Approved!! 03/15/2012
  • Visa In Hand 03/17/2012
  • POE SFO 03/24/2012

Link to comment
Share on other sites
 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...