Gifts for Veterans are often hard to find. Most veterans have everything they need because of their service or are too proud to ask for anything. People’s needs vary greatly depending on the type of service and length of time in the military. That being said, there are some options that all vets can benefit from:
1 Vacation
Military personnel are allowed to take 30 days of paid vacation per year. People who have only received this benefit for one or two years (rather than the maximum of 15) would greatly appreciate it if someone else takes care of their home when they’re away. We all know how much work military families have to do, so one less thing to worry about.
2 ProFlowers and movies
Of course, no list of gift for military veterans would be complete without flowers. They brighten up any room and improve morale in the household. ProFlowers allows you to order flowers online, so it makes it easy to send your loved one a small token of appreciation.
For those veterans who still enjoy watching movies, this is an excellent way to send them some entertainment without spending much money. It’s also a nice gesture if you’re sending your loved one out of town for a vacation mentioned above.
3 Food & Groceries
It’s not uncommon for veterans to have difficulty affording basic needs. Many items at the grocery store are outside of their military pay income range, so it can be challenging to eat healthy when this is an issue. By setting up a weekly or monthly donation through programs like Feeding America, you can help ensure that your loved one has the food they need to be healthy.
4 Magazine Subscription
While digital copies are more prevalent now than print books, people still enjoy reading magazines from time to time. With subscriptions being so affordable, it’s easy to send someone a magazine of their choice regularly. This is a great way to keep them informed about local or national events.
5 Birthday Gifts for veterans
Everyone loves gifts on their birthday! It doesn’t matter what the occasion is; people enjoy presents. Of course, veterans are no different. They often receive very few gifts during the year, so this is an excellent way to brighten up their day with a small present. If you would like additional suggestions for gift for military veteran, many organizations offer specific gift ideas for men and women in service.
6 An Outing
Veterans have seen and done things most other people cannot imagine going through. They deserve time to relax and enjoy themselves with loved ones. Whether it’s a trip to the zoo, an afternoon at the park, or dinner at their favorite restaurant, veterans would enjoy themselves more with someone else picking up the check.
7 Housekeeping and Personal Care
Most people are familiar with the stereotype of military men being fastidious clean freaks, though that is certainly not the case for everyone. If someone in your life wants to keep their home clean but doesn’t have the time or energy to do it, offer to help out once a week or so. You can either help with laundry, cooking, or even just doing the dishes!
Every veteran is different, but for many, it’s challenging to maintain their hygiene. Maybe they need assistance with shaving or brushing their teeth because of physical limitations. Perhaps they do not have the money for haircuts or other grooming services. Helping them to maintain personal hygiene is an excellent gift for military veterans.
8 Health Care and Child Care
While many veterans have health care through the VA or their employer, there are still significant gaps in coverage. Many veterans struggle with mental health issues such as PTSD and substance abuse problems that substantially impact their lives. Perhaps they need someone to listen to them once a week. There is also the possibility of assistance with medication management or transportation to appointments.
For some families, children are both a blessing and a burden that need care most of the day. Parents can’t spend the time they used to have with their children if they constantly have to do chores and take their kids places. Even for single veterans, childcare is a lifesaver for hobbies, school, or finding that special someone.
9 Transportation
While many veterans have cars, it can be difficult for them to maintain a vehicle. It may need repairs that are simply out of the financial capabilities of the family or veteran. Even if your friend or loved one needs help with essential car maintenance like oil changes, it is helpful to have someone they can count on in their time of need.
10 Finances
Many veterans struggle to make ends meet, and because of the stigma attached to mental health and addiction problems, it isn’t easy to find employment. If you can spare a few dollars here and there or give someone in need financial advice, they will appreciate your help so much!
11 Handmade Gifts for military veterans
When all else fails, people often go with homemade gifts because they know that the time put into each one is worth more than its cost. These can often be personalized with important details to them such as their service branch, years of service, etc. PrestigeHaus makes a wide range of unique, personalized and handcrafted gifts like liquor decanters, whiskey glasses and other barware.
12 Emergency Assistance
Sometimes veterans struggle because of bad luck rather than anything they did wrong. Maybe they lost their job right around Christmas, or perhaps they got sick at an inconvenient time. If someone you know is facing a crisis and needs help fast, reach out and offer assistance even if it’s just the gift of your presence while they deal with whatever is going on in their life – that may be more helpful than you realize!
In conclusion, veterans deserve a lot of appreciation and respect from their friends, family, and community for the sacrifices they make. These ideas are a great way to show support in a variety of ways.