Gift-Giving Guide for Military Couples
With a little bathroom humor
by Sarah Smiley
Two Christmases ago, my husband gave me a nicely wrapped small box that seemed full of promise. I had asked for a pendant necklace. What I got: a gift card to Home Depot. Oh, yeah, it was a bad moment.
A decade before that, my Navy-spouse mom gave my dad, who was leaving a few days later for a six-month deployment, a collection of coveted Craftsman tools and other things that made his heart race. Then, because he was leaving, she took them all back. “Why should we invest all this money in tools if you can’t use them for the next year anyway?” she reasoned.
What can we learn from all this? When it comes to holiday gift-giving, some men and women—especially military couples—are horribly misguided. So here’s a rundown of some of the hottest gadgets and goodies, as well as a brief tutorial on why they are sensible, yet fun, for your loved one. Feel free to leave this page open in the bathroom so your spouse can see it.
Digital Cameras
Digital cameras are a no-brainer for military families. The spouse at home uses one to send the deployed service member pictures of the children, the dog, the cat and his Mustang that awaits him in the garage. The service member in turn uses a digital camera to send his wife snapshots of Spain, Greece, France and all the other beautiful countries he visits (transmit photos of topless beaches at your own peril).
Italian Charm Bracelets
These modular bracelets took root in Italy but have spread like wildfire in the States in recent years. Similar to traditional charm bracelets, in that they allow you to express your individual style and interests, Italian charms are decidedly more chic than their gypsy-like counterparts. Instead of dangling from a chain, Italian charms are soldered to slim links on a stretchy band and are interchangeable on a whim.
Portable Game Systems
What to give a man who is about to deploy? Many military spouses struggle with this question, and obviously, my mom failed miserably at it. When it comes to shopping for a deploying loved one, think small, portable and entertaining. Your spouse is about to endure long working hours on a ship, in a submarine or in the desert. Some mindless entertainment can be a welcome respite…if it’s portable and fits in a seabag, that is. Time Away Together
Never underestimate the gift of time. Spending a mindless 48 hours in a hotel on the beach (even if it’s just down the street from your home) is like heaven for an overworked mother and wife. Schedule a visit from the grandparents (they will jump at the chance to have your children all to themselves), and whisk your spouse away to a childless, laundryless location. It needn’t be exotic—just childless and laundryless.
If you can’t swing a second honeymoon before your next deployment, schedule it for after you return. The promise of that will give you both something to dream about during your time apart.