After you have been on your Mission for awhile a package from your family can really brighten up your whole month.  However, all too often parents and friends send you things that missionaries do not want.  So here is a list of the top missionary gifts.
1.  Food, Food, Food- You can never go wrong sending food.  Send your missionary their favorite candy, desserts, and regular food too.  An easy way to send generic treats to your missionary is through Dear Elder.  They can send packages to every mission in the world.

2.  Clothing- Missionaries need a new white shirt like they need a bullet in the head, so do not send shirts or pants, unless they specifically ask for them.  What they do need after about a year into their mission are some new socks and underwear.

3. Missionary Journal- After about 9 months into their mission, your missionary’s journal is going to be looking sparse.  With all the pressures of doing so many things, their journal writing is the first thing to go.  Give them peace of mind and buy them a 2 Year Missionary Journal that automatically collects all their emails home and converts them into a leather journal of all their mission experiences.

4.  Pictures and News- In every package make sure to include pictures of family and friends.  Also, send news clippings or blog articles of things they were interested in before their mission.  You do not need to send them every day, but sometimes it is nice to see what is going on.
5.  Family Calendar- At the one year point in their mission, send them a calendar that includes a different picture of your family for each month.

6.  Daily Quote Book- If your missionary is having a hard time send him/her a daily quote book. They sell a variety of these books at Deseret Book.  Depending on your missionary, send him/her a comical one or a spiritual one.  This will help fuel them for the rigors of missionary work.

Missionary Packages are a treasured item on the mission, so make sure to put some time and thought into every package.

1.  Shoes- The most important thing to purchase before your mission is comfortable pair shoes.  Nothing is worse than knocking doors all day in a pair of bad shoes.  The best choice for missionary shoes are Ecco’s.  It is a fairly light shoe that is heavy duty to keep up with the wears of a 2 year mission.  The only problem is that you have to pay for the quality; however, it is well worth the extra bit of money for something that you will be using, so often.  Do not settle for something cheap or too heavy.  You will regret it before you leave the MTC.

2.  Clothing- When purchasing clothing for your mission remember that you are going to be thrashing it over the next 2 years.  Nothing you bring out with you will make it home.  The best place to purchase quality clothing is the Missionary Mall.  They offer a 2 year guarantee on all your clothes, which is a pretty amazing deal.  Also, their pants have an adjustable waist in case you go up a size on your mission.

3. Scriptures, Journal, Books- When purchasing scriptures for your mission, remember that you are there to teach people.  Investigators not understand what a quad is.  They will think it is a really big Bible.  Go with a triple combination and Bible set.  The smaller ones are now available at Deseret Books. They are easier to carry while tracking.
Journal- It is so important that you keep a journal of your mission experience.  It is something that will help you and your posterity in the future.  www.MissionaryJournal.org has a solution that allows you to capture even more of your experiences in your journal.  They also have blank journals for you to write your day to day activities.

Books- There is no need to lug books around with you throughout your mission.  Most missionary apartments have plenty of great books for you to read.  The only book besides the required books that you may need is a Missionary Pal.  It will help you become familiar with verses that you use every day on your mission.  You can find it at Deseret book in the missionary section.

4.  Luggage- Get luggage that has excellent wheels and is durable.  If you skimp on luggage you are almost guaranteed to be buying a new set before you come home.  Try to find luggage that has wheels that look like rollerblade wheels.

5.  Ties- Do Not Buy Silk Ties!  You are going to be getting them dirty and rained on.  Find ties that are washable.  www.mynicetie.com Carries a variety of ties including zipper ties.  They also offer a free tie.
When preparing to buy supplies for you mission, the best resource you can use is someone that has served in your mission before.  They will know exactly what you need and do not need.