18 Great Pre-Deployment Gifts For Military Families

The only thing harder than deployment is finding the perfect gift to give before they leave.

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1. Meal Improvement Kit

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Military food can get old after a month. Send your soldier with their own stock of spices to jazz up their MREs. Get it here!

2. A Journal

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Purchase your loved one a journal to write down all their experiences here!

3. Engrave a wallet insert.

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Give your soldier something they can keep with them all day. Pick up a personalized insert here.

4. Energy Jars

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Pack emergency energy jars for the days when your soldier needs a pick-me-up. A plus: the jar can then be used to hold other things around the base.

5. Write "open when..." cards

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Purchase a collection of cards ranging from love, encouragement, funny, etc. Then write a personal note in each. Write on the envelope when they should open them, for example: when you are missing me, when you are frustrated, when you are having a bad day, or when you just want to laugh.

6. If you'd rather buy the cards.

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Grab these sweet long-distance cards here.

7. A Kiss Jar

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Fill a jar with Hershey's kisses for a cute countdown gift.

8. "Seven Days of Love" Pill Case

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Fill a pill case with candy and love notes for a daily treat.

9. Send hugs!

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Who doesn't love a good hug? Send one along with your loved one to keep with them. Learn how here!

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10. Matching bracelets

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Purchase matching bracelets for a nice reminder that you're always there. Pick up this American flag bracelet here!

11. A countdown sign

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Grab one for your loved one here.

12. Personalized Thumbprint Necklace

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Personalize this necklace with both your and your loved one's fingerprints for a unique love token. Purchase it here!

13. Make them a food journal.

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Make your loved one a journal to keep track of where to take you when you get home. Learn how here.

14. The Military Wives' New Testament

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Purchase this military Bible here!

15. Keep a key for every place you call home.

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Use a shadow box to create some personalized art that will remind your loved one that home is a state of mind.

16. 52 Things I Love About You Cards

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Make a little book of all the reasons you love your significant for them to keep. Learn how here.

17. Customizable latitude necklace

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Order two: one for you and one for them so you can wear each other's coordinates with pride! Grab this great necklace here!

18. "Remember Me" rings

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Grab this classic ring here!