Gifts for Soldiers

Sending gift packages to soldiers (GIs as I'm used to calling them) can be fun and rewarding not only for the soldier but for you as well. Here I'll explore what to send; how to send them; and have you share your experiences as well.

I am an Army brat so my Dad was overseas a lot when I was growing up. My Mom encouraged us to send letters and gifts to him so he would know we loved him. I'll share some of the things we did for him and my brother-in-law, who was in the Navy as well.

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Letter show them you miss them

The most important thing you can do is to write to your soldier. Don't worry about your handwriting, spelling or grammar. They really don't care. Just getting mail is a big deal to them. More important is mail from people they love.

It doesn't matter what you write about. Tell them about the latest movie you saw, your job, what the kids did today, what Aunt Bessie said, what you cooked for dinner, the latest joke you heard -- anything at all.

Above all, tell them you miss them and love them. Writing to them shows them you care and love them in a way that nothing else can. They probably know how hard it is to write themselves.

When my father, who was what they call a lifer in the Army, was away (Viet Nam, Korea, Dominican Republic), my mother literally wrote him every single day. I loved her for doing that and I know my Dad did too. She also encouraged us to write him. Which I did even though my handwriting was so horrible.

Send photos to remind them of you

Photos are one of the best gifts you can send a soldier away from home. Sometimes when you are away from a loved one, it's hard to remember what they look like. I know that sounds weird, but it happens. Send them lots a pictures -- pictures in different situations. You or your kids or friends being silly, serious, making an idiot of themselves; receiving an award, opening up Christmas gifts.

Take pictures of all of the occasions you may take for granted but they will be missing with all of their hearts. Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, picnics, little league games, graduations, Jimmy taking his first step or little Mary baking her first cake.

Make up reasons to take pictures. Try seeing your day as your soldier away from home would if she was there. He wants to see it all, so give it to him!

Soldiers who are away from home really miss seeing their loved ones so send them lots and lots of photos -- doing all sorts of things. Not just dress up. How about "a day in the life of" your family. Take pictures of everyone in bed, at the breakfast table, washing the car, watching the game, shooting hoops, cooking, cleaning.

Dig deep, what would make her laugh or smile? What would touch him and let her know that you really miss her?

Send them a cassette player and make weekly recordings of your family talking about their day, what's happening in your neighborhood, church, school or community.

Even the little things you take for granted, they will want to know about. Believe me, they miss the small talk, the mundane, the every day stuff. Nothing is going to be boring to them.

Just hearing your voices will be good for them. It will give them a reason to come home.

OR, how about sending your soldier a microcassette recorder? Especially good for soldiers who don't like to write.

Don't forget to send them extra batteries and mailing envelopes -- self-stamped with your name and address and postage already on it. Make it as easy for them as possible.

The Kodak Zi8 HD Pocket Video Camera makes the perfect gift for any soldier. Or, get oe for yourself to take videos of family and friends that miss him.

Yum Yum!

Just thinking about this one brings a smile to my face. I remember making fudge for my brother-in-law who was in the Navy on board ship. I wasn't the best baker, but I made a mean fudge.

Anyway, he couldn't thank me enough. Sent me a very nice thank you letter. Then when he returned, he broke the real story to me -- the fudge melted together and was a pretty big gooey mess.

To pass the time, soldiers can play games. The best ones to send are the small travel sets. From chess and cribbage to dominoes or scrabble and solitare.

Just having a deck of cards can make the long days off-duty go by faster.

I got the following message yesterday, "Hi. I am an Army wife, and my husband just left for his fourth deployment, this time for Afghanistan. I just thought you would like to know about this blog I posted about supporting our troops and a holiday gift idea for soldiers. Support Our Troops: Gifts for Soldiers http://www.collegiatecamo.com/blog/gifts-for-soldi...

Also, here is a video of me surprising him at the airport right before he deployed. A lot of tears when I had to leave, but it was great to see him one last time and have a quiet, private, personal goodbye."

Below is the video she made.

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