Military Deployment Gifts for Those Far From Home
Being a member of the United States military has always meant there was a chance that you would end up overseas. With military members in 150 countries around the world, the chances that your loved one will spend a great deal of time away from home are quite high. Military deployments are usually several months long, but some are over a year. When a military member is separated from his family and friends, it can be very difficult. One of the best ways to show that you care and to help keep their spirits high is with military deployment gifts.
The first question you’ll probably have is “What kind of gift do I give?” There is no specific gift that will please everyone. It’s up to you to consider what type of gift your loved one typically likes and also to set a budget that will work for you. There are some gifts, such as military rings, that can cost several hundred dollars, although there are cheaper rings available, too. However, you can also find military deployment gifts that only cost a couple of dollars, such as bumper stickers.
Military deployment gifts must be able to be mailed to the country where your loved one is stationed, too. Some countries have strict laws governing what is allowed in and out of the country. If you have questions about this, you should contact the post office or the military unit that your loved one is attached to. You don’t want to find the perfect gift, mail it, and then find out it has been confiscated by customs agents.
Some great military deployment gifts include hats, jackets, and t-shirts. Almost all of the major military operations, such as Desert Storm, Desert Shield, and Iraqi Freedom, have clothing specifically designed for the deployment. Some have a humorous message, while others are very serious. There are all types of clothing available and a simple search on the internet will give you plenty of choices.
Military jewelry is also a great choice. From deployment rings and necklaces to watches and tie tacks, there are a number of beautiful jewelry pieces available for military members. Consider giving a medallion with the name of the operation on the front and the military member’s name on the back. There are also unique pieces of military jewelry, such as earrings, toe rings, and even belly button rings that can make a great military deployment gift.
Care packages are always a welcome sight for those deployed overseas. Pack a box full of their favorite treats, personal hygiene items, books, magazines, letters, and pictures. These military deployment gifts are ones that will often bring a tear to the recipient’s eyes because they know you put a lot of effort into it.
In closing, military deployment gifts will help make the separation a bit easier on both you and your loved one. Simply knowing that someone cares will mean a lot and make the time away a little bit more bearable.