Great Gifts for Soldiers Away From Home
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.
Trappings of a Soldier
Soldiers Gift: The gift of letters
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.
Whenever you think about not writing because you can't think of something to say, imagine her face when it's mail call and her name is called. It will light up even if it's just a simple handwritten note that says, "I love You."
Soldiers Gift: Gift of photos
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?
Photo ideas for Soldiers
What other photo ideas do you have? Vote for your favorite(s) and add new ideas. Refresh to vote on new ones.
1
Don't forget your pets.
Take pictures of them looking under the couch for "their Dad" or sleeping on his side of the bed or on his shoes.7 points
2
Friends with signs
Pictures of family and friends waving hi or holding signs with "We miss you" or "We love you" on them.7 points
3
Soldier's face on broom...
How about pictures of you with a blown up picture of your soldier's face taped to a broom and sitting between you holding his place until he returns.6 points
4
Cherished photos
Old photos that the soldier loves -- places they've been or with loved ones.1 point
5
Rooms of Home
Homesickness runs deep. Why not photograph every room of the house he misses.1 point
Soldiers Gift: Personal Recordings
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.
Don't forget to tell them -- every time you talk to them -- how much you miss them and love them and support them. They will never, ever get tired of hearing that.
Recording ideas for Soldiers
What other recording ideas do you have? Vote for your favorite(s) and add new ideas. Refresh to vote on new ones.
1
Record children singing or reciting a poem
8 points
2
Record the soldier's favorite artist
7 points
3
Record a typical dinner
6 points
4
Record good news - award, grades, promotion...
3 points
5
Record a tape diary
If he is your SA, then perhaps a taped diary of a few days in your life, with the stuff you would usually discuss with him would really uplift him.1 point
6
Record the sounds of morning!
1 point
Micorecorders
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.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand bySoldiers Gift: Kids Drawings and Writing
1
Drawings done in school
2 points
2
Stories written for school
2 points
3
Drawings done of family members
1 point
4
School reports
1 point
5
Drawings of a Favorite Tree
Does your soldier have fond memories of climbing a tree as a child? Draw it.1 point
Teddy Bears Say "I MISS YOU!"
Beary Lonely Without You Bearington Dressed Teddy Bear Stuffed Animal by Bearington Collection
Amazon Price: $26.00 (as of 07/06/2009) 
Goober "Don't Worry Be Happy" Animated Bear by Gundfun
Amazon Price: $25.95 (as of 07/06/2009)
LARGE 33" HIGH QUALITY TEDDY BEAR HOLDING I LOVE YOU HEART BIG SOFT PLUSH - COLOR: WHITE
Amazon Price: $99.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
LOVE TEDDY BEAR
Amazon Price: $37.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
Goodies Box Ideas
Soldiers Gift: Goody Packages
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.
Ideas for Goodies Box
What would be a good item to include in a soldier's goodies box? Vote for you favorite and add any new ideas.
1
Hard candies
8 points
2
Power bars
6 points
3
Granola bars
6 points
4
Chewing gum
5 points
5
Their favorite beverage mixes
2 points
6
Mints
2 points
7
Cookie Bars
Cookie Bars with coconut and nuts hold together better than thin cookies that tend to crumble.1 point
This lens support Operation Helmet
All royalties raised on this lens are donated to Operation Helmet
You can donate to Operation Helmet here and make our soldier safe!
Operation Helmet is a 100% volunteer, non-partisan, charitable organization that provides helmet upgrade kits free of charge to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as to those ordered to deploy in the near future.
Games to pass the time
Soldiers Gift: Games for Soldiers
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.
Compact travel games on Amazon
More travel games on Amazon
Soldier-Hero
Blank Journals on Amazon
Moleskine Ruled Notebook Large
Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 07/06/2009)
Moleskine Weekly Notebook 18 Month Soft Black Cover Pocket (Moleskine 18 Month Diaries)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
Minorities?
Support our troops
MinoritiesWe need to show more sympathy for these people.
* They travel miles in the heat.
* They risk their lives crossing a border.
* They don't get paid enough wages.
* They do jobs that others won't do or are afraid to do.
* They live in crowded conditions among a people who speak a different language.
* They rarely see their families, and they face adversity all day ~ every day.
I'm not talking about illegal Mexicans ~ I'm talking about our troops! Doesn't it seem strange that many Democrats and Republicans are willing to lavish all kinds of social benefits on illegals, but don't support our troops, and are even threatening to defund them?
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Other Organizations Helping Our Soldiers
- Phones for Soldiers!
- Our goal is to help our soldiers serving overseas call home. Through generous donations and the recycling of used cell phones from drop-off sites across the country, we have already distributed thousands of calling cards to soldiers in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan and elsewhere.
- Fisher House -- Helping Military Families
- Scholarships for Military Children
Scholarships for Military Children Sponsors Our network of Fisher Houses: - Armed Forces Relief Trust
- Help boost the morale and welfare of our troops, better enabling them to focus on their important mission.
- United States Military Combined Families
- Our organization provides support for all military banches and their families.
- Fuzzilicious Thinking: Support the Troops' Families
- This team will provide TLC to all family members; (i.e., wives, husbands, and/or friends) in need of encouragement and support [during deployments]. Support will be provided primarily through E-Mail and electronic communications. Taking care of family members who have been left behind by their deployed loved one is just one small way Soldiers' Angels demonstrates our gratitude for the sacrifices families are making, not only for us, but for future generations as well.
- Soldiers Angel's Living Legends
- The Living Legends team conducts one of the most delicate and demanding missions of Soldiers' Angels: comforting the loved ones left behind when a warrior falls on the battlefield. Our goal is to make sure families and friends of America's fallen heroes know that they are supported and that their loved ones' sacrifices are honored and respected.
- Guardian Angels for Soldier's Pet - Supporting our military service members, veterans, and their beloved pets
- Supporting our military service members, veterans, and their beloved pets through our Foster Home program/service aimed at reuniting pet(s) and owner following deployment or an emergency hardship.
- Soldiers' Angels-
- As a volunteer-led nonprofit, we have over 20 different teams and programs supporting all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Through special projects, dedicated teams and individuals supporting our troops, we make a visible difference in the lives of our service members and their families. To get involved, check out the list below or learn more here!
- OperationHomeFront.net - Supporting Our Troops by Helping the Families They Leave Behind.
- Operation Homefront is a non profit community supporting our troops by helping the families they leave behind when the active duty or reserve member deploys in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard. Operation Homefront provides aid to military families struggling not only with emerg
- Books For Soldiers - Care Packages For The MInd
- Books For Soldiers is a soldier support site that ships books, dvds, video games and relief supplies to deployed military members of the US armed forces.
Articles and stories about soldiers past and present
Read about the men and women who fight for our freedom
- Polar Bear Soldiers
- Madonna University history professor Dr. Roger Crownover and graduate student Phil Naud were tapped by a documentary production company to help out in the creation of a movie about a particular group of Michigan vets, soldiers not so much forgotten as missed by history.
- Film memorializes plight of Michigan's Polar Bears
- As a young woman, Detroit native Pamela Peak heard bits and pieces about her grandfather's service in North Russia at the end of World War I. Now a filmmaker living in California, on Saturday she unveiled her new film about his little-known expedition.
This lens won the Favorite Giant Lens Contest for the week of 9/5/08. Check out all of the wonderful lenses on the Giant Squid Community Showcase and vote for your favorites. Thank you to everyone who liked this lens enough to vote for it. Bear hugs to all! 
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stargazer00 wrote...
Some really great ideas here! Lensrolled to Care Package for a Sailor and some of my other military lenses. Well done!
Posted June 18, 2009
skilly wrote...
The soldiers need more people like you. Keep up the good work. 5 stars.
Posted May 02, 2009
SemperFidelis wrote...
Blessed by a SquidAngel today!
www.squidoo.com/squid-angel
~ Colleen :o)
Posted April 23, 2009
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