Welcome Home Soldier Gifts

A Letter

Old-fashioned, perhaps, but writing a letter telling your soldier how much you love him, how much you missed him, and how proud you are of him is a better keepsake than any store-bought item. Fill up a few pages with those thoughts and feelings you wouldn't necessarily say out loud and let him read it in his own time. A coming home celebration is, after all, a symbol of what he means to you.

Your soldier chose her career path because she was courageous, and comfortable with new experiences and new countries. Now that she's back home, she has the chance to do all of those recreational things she hasn't had a chance to do while serving. Choose an activity she always wanted to do and let the family chip in with the cost. She'll be delighted with the chance to do something new and exciting in her own time.

Proud family can present their soldier with a framed painting and poem celebrating the contribution he made to the country. You can personalize the frame for him and he can keep it forever as a reminder of his service, and of his family.

If you know your soldier is interested in undertaking further education in a particular area after his service, a thoughtful gift would be if you research potential programs for him before he comes back. When he returns, you can give him a file full of information, neatly divided into sections that are easy to follow, and he will appreciate all the time, effort and love that went into it. Tucking in an expensive gold or silver pen into the folder tops off the present.

It may sound frivolous, but a soldier coming back from a country where she mightn't have had access to a good haircut or beauty treatments might appreciate the chance to sort out damaged hair or skin affected by hot sun. If you buy a voucher for two, she can spend the time getting pampered and reconnecting with a friend. Male soldiers might like a voucher for a good shave and new stylish haircut to finally wash off the last physical remnants of military barbers.