Festive season decorations may not be up in shops just yet but supporters of New Zealand's deployed forces are already thinking about Christmas. New Zealand Defence Force, New Zealand Police and Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association personnel worked together yesterday morning to package 570 Christmas parcels for deployed troops overseas. The parcels contained Christmas cakes, Watties tomato sauce, Maggi noodles, Gingernuts, Marmite and many other kiwi culinary classics as well as Christmas cards, badges and caps. The parcels will make their way to deployed troops in diverse and remote locations such as the Middle East, Papua New Guinea, Antarctica and Afghanistan. The parcels serve as a small token of thanks for those who work during the Christmas season and miss out on festivities back home with family and friends. Familiar comforts such as Anzac biscuits, Whittaker's chocolate and Bluebird chips are a welcome surprise for deployed troops. Wing Commander Dave Green, who helped pack the parcels yesterday morning, has been deployed at Christmas three times, in Bosnia, Timor Leste and Kosovo. "For something to arrive, just a little bit special, no matter where you are in the world is really something. It boosts morale and takes your mind off the separation and loneliness that can often be felt when you are so far away from loved ones on Christmas day. It's fantastic to receive that kind of support from back home." The Christmas parcels were packed with military precision and the volunteers, from all over Wellington, worked from 9am-1pm to prepare and package the Christmas goodies.