The boxes, affectionately dubbed 'square stockings', are sent to all UK Armed Forces personnel and civilian staff serving on operations, or in hospital over Christmas, to say thanks for their hard work and commitment, and show that people in the UK are thinking about them.
The charity 'uk4u Thanks!' works with the MOD to send the boxes, supported by sponsors and public donations.
At Murrayfield Stadium on Friday 11 December 2009, Rugby players Simon Cross and Simon Webster, representing the Scottish Rugby Union, added their support to the campaign, urging people in Scotland to support the charity instead of sending their own parcels and shoeboxes to the troops.
The Edinburgh-based soldiers currently serving in Afghanistan are from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS), and 3rd Battalion The Rifles (3 RIFLES).
Commanding Officer of 1 SCOTS, Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Herbert, said:
"Support from the public is tremendous and much appreciated, but we urge people to donate to uk4u rather than sending their own parcels to troops.
"We already have more anonymous post than we can cope with, which can prevent parcels from friends and families getting there in time for Christmas.
"This isn't a normal postal situation, this is a war zone where everything has to be distributed by helicopter in a dangerous environment, so the pressure of all these extra parcels could affect operations or put people at risk.
"We don't want the support to stop, but the best way for people to back the troops is to donate to uk4u or simply hold off from sending parcels for a couple of months."
Scotland and Edinburgh rugby stars, winger Simon Webster and flanker Simon Cross, took time out to chat to the soldiers of 1 SCOTS and 3 RIFLES still in the UK, and Army recruit Taylor Kindred of Kirkintilloch, about serving abroad over Christmas.
The two rugby players are training hard for the Edinburgh matches against Glasgow at Christmas and in the New Year, and Simon Webster is gearing up for the Six Nations tournament.
Simon Cross said:
"I come from a military family so I know only too well how hard separation can be for troops and their families. They do a great job in difficult conditions and are very much in our thoughts."
Simon Webster said:
"I'm honoured to support the brave men and women of the Armed Forces and I know my team mates join me in wishing them and their families a safe and very merry Christmas."
Lt Col Herbert added:
"It's never easy being so far away from your loved ones over Christmas, you never get used to it, but morale is high amongst the company serving there, and the lads are in very good spirits.
"They're looking forward to opening the surprise stockings on Christmas Day and perhaps singing a carol or two. They will all take the opportunity when possible to phone home and speak to families and friends, but it will also be business as usual over the Christmas period, getting on with the job in Helmand, which helps to take your mind off the separation.
"Knowing that the public are behind us and support our efforts, especially over Christmas, is a real morale-boost."
About 25,000 of the square stockings are sent across the world to locations such as Afghanistan, the Falkland Islands, Cyprus, and submarines, in time for Christmas Day.
They don't use the British Forces Post Office system, so don't delay parcels from loved ones getting through.
They are filled with about 20 items - some of which will come in useful every day, others are simply intended to put a smile on the faces of those who receive them.
The contents are top secret to guarantee a surprise on Christmas Day, but last year they included a collapsible cup, tool kit, juggling balls, reading light, torch, tea, sweets and, of course, a Santa hat.
Members of the public can show their support for our troops by donating money to uk4u Thanks!, the SSAFA Operational Welfare Fund, Support our Soldiers, Thank the Forces, the Army, Navy or RAF Benevolent Funds, Erskine, Poppy Scotland, BLESMA, Combat Stress or Help for Heroes. See Related Links >>>