Every service member deserves a great gift for being willing to put their lives on the line on behalf of their entire country when they joined the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, and Space Force.
But finding gifts may not be the easiest thing to do, especially if you have never served in the military yourself.
If you are not quite sure where to start to find military gifts for the veterans in your family, here are some suggestions to bring a smile to their faces, warmth to their hearts, and a sense of appreciation on special occasions.
An American Flag
Finding american flags for sale makes for the perfect gift, not just during the holidays but all year round.
After all, the 50 stars and 13 stripes of the Star-Spangled Banner never go out of style!
No matter who you are shopping for – a friend, family member, or loved one, they will always appreciate a way to show off their patriotic spirit with an American flag.
What better way to thank a veteran for their service in defense of the homeland than with the gift of a high-quality American flag?
Whether a small flag to add to their car, mobility device, or truck, or a larger banner perfect for carrying and waving in parades, the American flag is the ultimate symbol of a veteran’s service to their country. Get answers to your questions by checking out Heroes in our Communities.
Ribbon Racks
If you are the one putting together air force ribbons racks for veterans, it is important to know that how military medals get displayed on a ribbon rack, or in civilian attire for that matter, are guided by the uniform regulations of each branch.
Some of the occasions for service personnel to wear ribbon racks include Class A inspections, special military events, and military school graduations that they may have been invited to, all of which may require a freshly updated ribbon rack.
History Channel Military Calendar
Loaded with legendary battles, instances of innovation, historical military operations, and courageous soldiers, this boxed calendar chronicles 365 days of military history that stretches between the American Revolution to the present tense.
This is an ideal military-themed gift for veterans with an appreciation for history and trivia, especially if it is for Christmas or a December/January/February birthday that would be close enough to the new year for them to be able to get the most use out of a calendar.
This History Channel This Day in Military History includes:
- 4.25″ x 4.5″ page trim size and 5″ x 5″ protective outer box
- 100% recyclable and plastic-free without any shrink-wrapping
- Cardboard easel backing is perfect for tabletop or desk display
- Daily calendar with tear-off pages showing 365 days of inspiring military moments
- FSC-certified paper that is environmentally responsible
- Holidays and observances are displayed
Tactical Gear
Tactical gear for gun sports enthusiasts can be a present smart pick if you know what you are shopping for.
Assuming that the veteran in your family is already a gun owner, you should get informed as to what types they own so that you can purchase them firearm accessories, such as a brand new holster or a sling, or other unique military gifts you can easily browse for online.
For gift ideas for a person that is more private about their gun ownership, you can get them gifts that are less particular such as ear protection from those loud blasts at the shooting range or earwear to protect their vision.
Shadow Boxes
Shadow boxes and display cases make thoughtful gifts because they make it possible for veterans or service members or veterans to display their military awards and decorations.
Even if you are buying this shadow box for a more modest veteran who doesn’t like to show off by mounting it on the wall, it still makes a fine choice for a military gift because the person can at least organize their military awards and mementos into an appropriate storage container to pass it down to the next generation.
Military Service Clothing
No matter which part of the military your gift recipient served in, there are literally tons of wearable military presents that can give them the opportunity to show the pride that they have for the service that they have provided.
As you know, whenever shopping for articles of clothing, it comes down to selecting the correct size.
Caps are a simpler task because they are generally adjustable and or come in one-size-fits-most shapes.
Short sleeve and long sleeve shirts, along with sweatshirts, hoodies, and jackets, can be trickier. To shop for because they rely on knowing what size this soldier wears.
But there are ample methods that you can use to find out what their proper proportions are, such as asking a spouse or casually complimenting a shirt they are currently wearing and asking the size because it looks nice on them than finding a way to change the subject before they get a chance to dwell on it.
Earbuds for Music
Give the gift of peace and solace to a soldier by giving them a pair of noise-canceling earbuds in order for them to take some time out for self-care and relax to their favorite tunes.
Beats Fit Pro earbuds are of high audio quality and are compatible with both Apple and Android products, and support spatial audio.
Rugged Water Bottle
Having a decent water bottle is something that we can all use, especially a soldier that has experienced the rigorous intensity of military training and found relief in staying hydrated after sweat bursts out of their pores.
Stainless steel, insulated 32 oz, wide-mouth water bottle with the name of their line of service or other imagery and colors that the veteran in your family would appreciate make for a fantastic gift on their own or also if you couple it with something else from this list.
Embossed Journal
Whether the veteran that you love is deployed or retired, they most likely have plenty of memorable stories to tell and more spare time to tell them.
With the gift of a beautifully embossed journal, thoughtful soldiers can write about those past endeavors or reflect on moments that are unfolding on a day-to-day basis with a lovely handmade notebook with a premium leather cover embossed with the American flag.