From The Frontline Thursday with Gabrielle Morel: Father’s Day for Deployed Soldiers

Father’s day is this Sunday, a day to celebrate these wonderful men in our lives. Many Fathers will be overseas away from their families. So how do you celebrate Father’s Day when he’s deployed? Well I have some ideas I would love to share with you all.

As many of you know, my Husband is currently deployed so I can’t cook him his favorite meal and celebrate that special day with him. So instead I sent him two care packages, one filled with toiletries and other must haves. In this first box I sent along his gift and Father’s day cards from the kids. I included any drawings or finger paints the kids drew, and I also typed up a letter for him. I then printed out a 4×6 picture and added it to the box. While the second box, I sent him, had cakes in a jar. I was able to fit four mason jars in the box with bubble wrap. I decorated the jars with ribbon, and used a hot glue gun to secure them to the jar. I also allowed my daughters to decorate the inside of the box with finger-paints, glitter glue and stickers.

http://armymomstrong.com/tag/send-cake-to-deployed-soliders


Theme Care Packages:
I also know there are a few Military spouses that own care package businesses. They decorate the inside of the box, and personalize it for you. One example is Missyourvoice.net, the owner creates theme care packages and will fill the box with goodies you request.  http://www.missyourvoice.net/

You can also decorate the box yourself. I’ve used construction paper to line the inside and am considering using gift wrapping paper for my next care package. You can find a lot of arts and craft things for cheap at the 99 cent store, and have your children help out in the decorating. 🙂

I did send these care packages out a week ago around June 8th, and they still haven’t arrived. So this might not be the best last minute option. However for anyone who knows their Husband will be deployed next Father’s Day, this is a great idea to keep in mind.


Virtual gifts:
E-card: If you know your deployed Soldier has internet access you can send him an E-card. I’ve used Hallmark.com and they do have a limited selection of free e-cards, but their other E-cards aren’t too expensive. They also send you an email letting you know when your e-card was viewed, which I happen to think is pretty cool. 🙂 http://www.hallmark.com/


Smilebox:  This is an application you download to your computer, which is free, and it uses all of the photos and videos on your computer to create slideshows, greeting cards, or scrapbook pages. The neat thing about this application is you have so many options to share your creations—you can use Facebook, blog, email, print at home or at a store, and even burn it to a DVD. So if you have time you can print or burn these to a DVD and send them in a care package overseas. And, if you’re short on time you can email it or post it on Facebook! 🙂 www.smilebox.com –This is also good for other holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and even just to send a “Thinking of you” slideshow.