Gift Ideas for the Spouse of the Deployed Armed Force Member

The holidays are a time of celebration with family, right? Unfortunately in this time of war many families are not able to celebrate the holidays together. It becomes very painful for the spouse left here while their wife/husband is overseas. Not only do they have to deal with the constant worry of what may happen to their loved ones, the most joyous time of the year quickly becomes very painful. These gifts can help bring joy to the husbands and wives left here on the home front.

1.) Phone Cards

Phone Cards are great way to help lessen the costs of keeping in touch with the deployed love ones. During the holidays, the telephone calls tend to be longer so the phone cards are extremely appreciated. The most useful ones are the ones that can be sent through e-mail, so the deployed member can actually call home when their schedule permits. When a loved one is gone over the holidays, even early morning telephone calls absolute joy.

2.) Disposable Cameras

Since most people have digital cameras now, film cameras are not used as very often. Disposable cameras are great gifts to be mailed to the deployed family member. Even though they must be careful of what pictures they take, there is a great joy in being able to hold recent pictures of loved ones.

3.) Stamps

Again this is a thoughtful way to help lesson the cost of keeping in touch. Most spouses send lots of care packages which can become quite expensive after a while. Chipping into the postage helps show that you are aware of what the spouse is going through while giving a very practical gift.

4.) DVDs

Although this may sound a little strange, the spouse left here needs some type of relaxation. I've found that regular television shows covers too much information about the fighting going on over-seas. Any news break about a local soldier dying in combat breaks too much pain. Most deployed spouses begin not to watch much television until their spouse returns. A good DVD after the children go to bed is a great way to escape reality. A "chick flick" is even better because it's hard to see these movies when my husband is here.

5.) Flowers

Every one loves flowers. They are beautiful and have a way of lighting up a person's face every time they see them. Many times it is hard for the deployed spouse to find a way to order and pay for flowers. Having a friend or family member send flowers is a great way to remind the spouse here that some one does care for them and is thinking about them.

6.) Web
Cam

For the spouses who are lucky enough to be deployed in places that have internet access, internet cameras are great. This actually lets them see you in live time. It also is a great way of showing children to their parents and lets their parents see how much they're children have grown. If both family members have Internet cameras, it is helps remind the younger members what Daddy or Mommy looks like and lets the spouses see each other. Many spouses can contribute a young baby or toddler remembering Mommy or Daddy due to the use of web cams.

7.) Gift Cards for favorite Restaurant

Many spouses that are left at home continue to work and live in the same location. This means that they begin to take on the responsibilities of two people. Now only one person is in charge of finances, child rearing, grocery shopping, car upkeep, house repair, housekeeping, and feeding the children. A gift card to a restaurant that will deliver is a great way to help relieve some of the stress while providing a good hot meal for the family.

8.) A Clean House-

It doesn't matter if you take the time to clean the house or if you hire some one else. Coming home to a clean house will definitely lift the spirits of the family left here.

9.) Free Night of Babysitting

With the sole responsibility of child rearing on one person's shoulders, parents have no time to unwind and relax. The pervious "me" time has now disappeared. It is very helpful for the parent here to be given a night alone. It allows them a charge to recharge their energy level, so that they feel more confident about taking care of their family single handedly.

10.) Free House Repair

A lot of times the person left here has no idea how to fix some of the common problems that happen around the house. With working full-time jobs, it is nearly impossible to make the appointments to get the small things repaired. It is always helpful to have some one who is a regular "handy man" come fix up around the house. From the leaky toilet to the weird sound in the washer machine, there is plenty to do. This also makes the time when the couple is re-united less stressful, as the member coming back does not have to worry about fixing things around the house.

No matter what you get the spouse left here, it will be appreciated. Most spouses are very proud of their husbands/wives overseas and would never complain about their situations; however, it is always nice for them to feel appreciated for their sacrifices of their loved ones and the struggles they are going though to run a household by themselves. In fact the most important gift you can give a spouse left here is your understanding of the role he/she is now fulfilling.