What is a good Christmas gift for a service member/veteran to give to a family member?

2022-12-19T11:02:03-05:00

Some of us wait until the last minute to get something special for our loved ones. We are a little unique because our families hold down the home fort taking care of pets, kids, bills, and our homes during all kinds of trainings and deployments. I want to get a good list going of good gifts that we've bought for our military family members.

Response by CPT Richard Trione made Dec 19 at 2022 11:16 AM

2022-12-19T11:16:29-05:00

Love

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Dec 19 at 2022 11:19 AM

2022-12-19T11:19:54-05:00

Gift card to a favorite restaurant or shop

Response by COL Randall C. made Dec 19 at 2022 11:27 AM

2022-12-19T11:27:59-05:00

Not your choice, but being home for the holidays is probably at the top of their lists.

While I didn't do it, one of the things my CSM did for his kids when we were overseas during the holidays is record a series of videos that his wife played for them on Christmas morning (one for each child).

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 19 at 2022 11:28 AM

2022-12-19T11:28:00-05:00

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Dec 19 at 2022 11:29 AM

2022-12-19T11:29:46-05:00

Depends on where the military member is at Christmas and their rank.

A care package for members deployed overseas specifically tailored to their likes is always appreciated. Send their favorite coffee, baby wipes, sports team t-shirt, foot powder, packaged food, along with greeting cards from family members.

If attending a formal school in the US, a gift card to help with a special treat or gaming cost. Homemade food items. Again, greeting cards.

The main thing is to show the Service Member you care about them.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2022 1:13 PM

2022-12-19T13:13:42-05:00

SSG Carlos Madden For me, paperback books were much appreciated. Food items did not make it in good shape. It is the thought that counts, so anything sent will be warmly received as it is a touch of home.

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Dec 19 at 2022 2:34 PM

2022-12-19T14:34:53-05:00

Excellent post SSG Madden. One item that come to mind if the individual is a male would be a coffee mug, because a lot of folks like coffee. Or if the individual is a male You can buy Him a Military themed shirt or some sort of apparel. Also, a lot of challenge coins make a great gift as well. If that individual is a female, then a bottle of perfume or some type of gift set that contains lotion or body wash as well. If the individual is stationed overseas or on deployment a care package would be appropriate. On website I would recommend would be Herobox.org Within this website You can choose who to send a care package too. Within this website are members from all five branches to include first responders who are currently on deployment or stationed over seas. I've already used to website once. Within the website each service member or first responder has a "wish list" of items that You can choose from. Or if You prefer You can purchase items on Your own and send that care package to that individual. I do believe this website provides boxes as well.

Response by Amn Dale Preisach made Dec 19 at 2022 2:49 PM

2022-12-19T14:49:56-05:00

Nothing with " A cord " .

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2022 3:23 PM

2022-12-19T15:23:37-05:00

Cash... the gift that's never returned & the one receiving can get what they want.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2022 3:36 PM

2022-12-19T15:36:13-05:00

The last time I knew I was going to gone for a long time (6+ months) I took my family on a cruise. I was able to take my in-laws as well. However, for the shorter trips I try to gift my wife a small weekend get away with her friends or family where she gets to take off and shut off her phone for a while. I stay back and handle everything on our end. Seems silly, but I gift her more time away from me and it seems to work out wonderfully.... LOL

Response by MSgt Dee Ann P. made Dec 19 at 2022 5:49 PM

2022-12-19T17:49:05-05:00

Family time is always at the top of my list. Nothing can replace an evening, day or weekend of memories shared and celebrated as a family. Our last Christmas in Germany we took a one-week trip to Edelweiss. The kids were 15 and 11. I bought them stockings filled with little items. They still talk about that Christmas and how much fun we had. We had photos printed and they are hanging in our home to remind us of that special year.

Response by CPL Sharon Fahey made Dec 20 at 2022 10:46 AM

2022-12-20T10:46:16-05:00

A weekend retreat.

Response by PO3 Cathy Besaw made Dec 20 at 2022 1:00 PM

2022-12-20T13:00:59-05:00

Baked goodies

Response by PO1 David Haney made Dec 20 at 2022 2:26 PM

2022-12-20T14:26:28-05:00

I believe a good gift for a Military Family Member would be sending that Military F.M. a Family picture with a Family recording sending their best wishes and love to the Service Member. That's priceless to the Military member that he or she can see and play day after day.

Response by SGT Erick Holmes made Dec 20 at 2022 2:41 PM

2022-12-20T14:41:47-05:00

A picture of a the Military member blown up to poster board or a coffee mug with their picture on it usually is a good idea or something with a picture on it is great ie blanket key chain etc.

Response by A1C Michael Brunswick made Dec 22 at 2022 1:21 AM

2022-12-22T01:21:34-05:00

Love

Response by TSgt Melissa Post made Dec 22 at 2022 5:51 AM

2022-12-22T05:51:40-05:00

I’m a little confused by the question are you looking for gifts for the service member or the family of the service member?

If the former, then what would you like to receive? I always loved homemade items. If I couldn’t be home for Christmas then a tin of cookies my mom made or a neighbor made. Cocoa mixes and drink mixes or coffee were great too.
If the latter, then something that would be useful. One year I got my husband a portable air pump for tires and such. He really liked that. If you want something unique you could check out uncommongoods.com they have some really cool stuff on there.

Response by PO2 Jack LaBarge made Dec 22 at 2022 6:55 PM

2022-12-22T18:55:40-05:00

To bring BACK ALL OF THE AMERICANS FROM THE “Sand Box”! NO ONE TO EVER AGAIN BE LEFT BEHIND! EVER AGAIN! FJB

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2022 10:53 AM

2022-12-23T10:53:45-05:00

digital wifi photo frame

Response by Ricky Tiller made Sep 19 at 2023 11:05 AM

2023-09-19T11:05:41-04:00

I totally feel you on the last-minute gift scramble! When it comes to our military fam, it's all about the heart, right? I've been thinking of getting something special for my buddies, and I landed on the idea of matching bracelets. It's like a symbol of our unbreakable bond, you know?I stumbled upon this awesome website, https://matchingbracelets.com/matching-bracelets-for-friends/, and they've got some seriously unique options. It's not just about the gifts; it's about the sentiment behind them. Our families hold down the fort through thick and thin, and it's only fair we show our appreciation.

Matching Bracelets for Friends » Matching Bracelets

Mark your friendship with someone with the help of matching bracelets for friends that carry with them an unspoken emotional message.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Nov 28 at 2023 11:21 AM

2023-11-28T11:21:22-05:00

I see others mentioned gift cards or money. Yeah, they're nice gifts, but where's the fun in that? Sounds a bit lazy to me.

Somebody said "love". True, a great gift. But that's something you can give every day (and you should).

Why not giving something memorable, something unique?
I really liked the idea of custom bobbleheads. You just need a photo of the one you wanna give it to, and the seller crafts a miniature version of your friend. It's a keepsake that really stands out among more traditional gifts.

Did that for my best friend's birthday and he really loved it. Few choose to give such gifts, so you will be remembered.

As for where to buy the bubbleheads from, check https://www.drbobblehead.com/

Custom Bobbleheads - Professional & Exquisite & Unique Gifts

Dr.Bobblehead! Professional custom bobbleheads from your photo. Thousands of bobblehead models for you choice, such as custom doctor bobblehead, business, sport, casual. Unique gifts for any holiday. Start from $59.

Response by LCpl Craig A. Charbonneau made Nov 29 at 2023 8:25 AM

2023-11-29T08:25:29-05:00

I found that during the holidays while being on active duty that “ time “ was appreciated the most. I used to be under the impression that the great gifts would be the highlight of the season but soon realized that after all the running around shopping and shipping wasn’t really fulfilling the reason for the season. I simple card that says “ I love you and miss you “ followed up by a phone call was actually “ priceless “. As the years went on the gifts given or received faded in memory but that reach out really was the personal touch and remembered forever. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to you, your family and friends and Of Course Rally Point online which makes reaching out absolutely fantastic. Be happy and healthy.

Craig

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2023 3:37 PM

2023-12-01T15:37:41-05:00

I don’t know how it is these days. Back in the day you could find some pretty good local merchandise to show the culture of where you were living. An example would be from Germany maybe a Cuckoo Clock, fancy beer stein, or something like that.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Dec 2 at 2023 6:42 AM

2023-12-02T06:42:56-05:00

How about a subscription to something they like (a coffee service, a magazine, some food they like, etc) Hopefully you know them well enough to do this.