Showing a Military Spouse You Care

[Tara Crooks]

Did you know that May has a special day set aside to recognize and appreciate Military Spouses? We conducted a survey on Army Wife Network of nearly 2,000 military spouses where participants were asked to vote on (or add) their favorite item that would be included in a "military spouse appreciation package". It revealed some interesting findings when it comes to celebrating and appreciating the military spouse.

As expected, many voted for the package to include their service member. And even though I know that there are hundreds of USPS Flat Rate boxes out there, I'm pretty sure that's not possible.

What wasn't expected was the level of practicality of the choices the spouses included. An overwhelming number of spouses chose a day at the spa. Other ideas followed; help with house cleaning, childcare, dinner, help with their automobiles, and of course lawn care. That doesn't sound very fun if you're the creative type. But don't despair I've taken these practical "needs" to a whole new level and created some very fun gift ideas for you to celebrate the special military spouse in your life.

Spa Day
Nail polish (several fun colors)
Polish remover
Cotton balls
Nail file, clippers, etc.
Toe separators
Massage oil/lotion
Skin care (masque, exfoliator, etc.)
Robe or slippers
*Certificate for a mani/pedi or massage
Package this in a gift bag with tissue paper. If you have a Man-Spouse just make these items manlier and include some grooming items vs. nail polish.

Household 6
Tiara or Crown
Sash (printed with Household 6)
Fancy (or creative) cleaning gloves, broom, dustpan
Name brand (you know the ones you wouldn't spend money on yourself) cleaning supplies
Microfiber towel
Candle or Reed diffuser
Special laundry detergent
Mixed CD or dance music for cleaning
*Certificate for housecleaning (for the day he/she doesn't feel like doing it herself!)
Package this in a plastic cleaning caddy complete with a bow

Date Night
Movie (DVD/Blu-Ray)
Microwave popcorn
Canned soda
Movie candy
*Certificate for local restaurant or fast food joint

Precious Car - Go!
Car soap
Tire cleaner foam
Sham-WOW!®
Windex®
Paper towels
Armor-All®
Febreeze® for autos
Hanging car air freshener
*Certificate for an oil change
*Gas Card
*Certificate for a car wash or car detailing
Package this in a bucket with a large sponge

Yard & Garden Party
Seed packets or flowers
Potting soil
Miracle Grow®
Garden gloves
Knee pads
Fun garden hat
Sprayer nozzle
*Certificate for lawn maintenance
Package items in a planter or large pot with garden tools

Gift of Service
An easy way to spruce up any package or a great idea for the budget conscience is to give the gift of your own service. Use your creativity to make a printable coupon book or visit this site and do them for free: http://www.dltk-cards.com/coupon/.

* Feel free to adjust the gift to your budget and/or preferences. Any of the certificates are perfect gifts on their own without the package contents.

[Ponath]

Being a Army wife has its benefits as well as struggles. So many times we are overlook as well as our children's in our needs to keep our soldier strong. My soldier has told me multiple times, "The best way to support a soldier that is deployed is to first take care of the family at home". Our struggles that we endure are different from those that are single parents. Not only do we have to run a house hold on our own but we worry day and night about our soldier. There are times when I would hear of a unit that could possibly be my soldiers being hit or blown up. I would then leave my door open because I want to see who is coming to my door. The scariest thing for a spouse and children is to receive that knock in full dress blues. That is a stress that sticks with you even when your husband is home. One way that stress and worry was relieved was by kindness of others. At christmas a neighbor brought my children cookies, a friend plowed my driveway when it snowed two feet. I was pregnant so I could not shovel. Those acts of kindness kept me strong. Thus, when I spoke with my husband about these small acts he could do his job more efficiently and increase the possibility of himself coming home. Many times my husband would receive a well needed care package. My husband knew that while we patiently awaited his return that we felt alone and our efforts to this war were not important. He said I will send the children a care package every time I have the chance so they have something to look forward to. Bless his heart, we received melted gummies!!!!!! My babies loved them regardless if they looked like a multi colored blob!!! It is acts like these that keep us encouraged to keep on going. To do the best we can raising our children while half our heart is in a war zone. What many people do not understand that have not been a military spouse or fiance is that although your soldier is in an actual war zone with bombs and bullets and death of close friends that all comes home. Weather it is on a phone call mid deployment or standing at your door. They change. As do we. When you say good by to your spouse, mommy or daddy and they go to work for the day you feel confident that they will be sharing dinner with you that night. The job of a soldier is anything but. When it is time deploy there will be no dinner tonight and there is no garentee that he/she will come home alive. When we drop our soldier off and they stand in formation. Their names is called and they get on that bus. You see their face through that glass and that look they give you is one of longing, lets get this done with and is this that last time I will ever be near you. While watching that bus drive away I could not say if I would ever see my soldier again. I could not tell my 2 and 3 year old at the time, "take a good look at daddy because in a year from now he might not be getting off that bus. By God, I hope you remember him." So please do what you can to help military spouses and children. Just a small gesture of making cookies, having coffee, going shopping or sending a care package makes a world of difference and as my soldier would say, "that is the best way to support the troops".