Top Ten Gift Ideas for Military Families

With frequent moves and unpredictable housing conditions, military members and their families can be particular tough to buy for.

Your best bet, when considering gifts for military families, is to moving and storage issues in mind. Heavy items, large items, and outdoor items (such as container plants and picnic tables) might work for some families, but aren't ideal for military families. Items such as these are often given away or sold once the military member receives orders.

Below are the Top Ten Gifts for Military Families - thoughtful and unusual presents that fit right with any military family's lifestyle.

(1) Travel Guides: Help military families explore their new hometown. Books from Frommer's and Let's Go! give readers the inside tips on areas inside and outside the United States. The guides also give lodging, eating, and entertainment options at a variety of price points and include all necessary contact information and details.

(2) Food Gift Pack: Gourmet food is a great treat when you're far from home, and since it's consumable there's no worry about moving it or storing it! A variety of online shops offer shipping throughout the United States and foreign countries. If sending wine, be sure to check that the recipient's state or country allows alcoholic beverages to be shipped within its borders.

(3) Military Memorabilia: Just about any base housing you'll step into has two things in common - they look exactly the same and there's Americana in one form or another. Some military families keep the military memorabilia regulated to the office or den, but others hang it loud and proud in every room. Take into consideration the family's style - vintage military posters are popular with decors.

(4) Netflix Subscription: No late fees, shipping straight to your recipient's door, and starting at only $17.99 a month, a Netflix subscription is an excellent gift for military families based in the United States. Families can avoid the storage issues that come with DVD cases and can manage their entire account online - making frequent addresses changes a snap.

(5) Horseshoe Set: Horseshoe sets are available from a variety of vendors and make a great addition to any backyard barbeque, a popular way for military families to connect and relax. A game of horseshoes is also easy to assemble and transport, making it a non-issue when it comes to storage.

(6) Bocce Set: Invented by the Romans and popularized by the Italians, bocce rich history is an excellent addition to any military family's game chest. Similar to a horseshoe set, a game of bocce is easy to set up and store.

(7) T-Shirts: With few exceptions, military families are pretty casual. When it's time to get out of the blues or fatigues, they're ready for t-shirts and jeans. Quite a few online vendors have tapped into this market and offer "BRAT" t-shirts for children and infants and humorous shirts for spouses and military members themselves.

(8) Flowers: With spouses far away, flowers from friends and family members go a long way for military families. They're a great addition to the holiday table - no matter how far away or how many people are around it. Put some extra effort into it by including stems from all the family member's birthday months or flowers the wife carried in her wedding bouquet.

(9) Local Favorites: Does your military family miss home? Take a day and photograph the streets of your military family's original hometown or college campus. Blow up and convert the pictures to black and white and send in a sturdy envelope. You can also include a new college or high school t-shirt or send a few cookies from their favorite bakery.

(10) Tribute Gift to the National Military Family Association: NMFA focuses on the needs and concerns of military families, such as deployment issues and education and employment for spouses and children. You can donate a tribute gift in the name of the military family, who will receive a card making them aware of your donation. Your donation to NMFA is tax-deductible.

Before you buy for a military family, be sure to consider their mobile lifestyle and current location and situation. Families overseas or with deployed members may need some special treatment for the holiday season and a thoughtful gift from you is sure to be a hit.