When a loved one enlists with the military and is preparing to go overseas for their deployment, it’s common to give them a gift as a reminder of home. It can be difficult, however, to decide what is best to give a soldier when they’re not allowed many personal effects in the first place. To help you decide what’s best, here are some pre-deployment gifts for loved ones.

Travel Bags

Practicality will be a theme in pre-deployment gifts, and bags are at the top of that list with how much gear your average soldier must carry on them. A well-made backpack can be the greatest gift when they’ve been on their feet for hours on end, as backpacks evenly distribute weight across your body. The best place to look for high-quality bags is from our impressive selection of military gear for sale.

Tactical Boots

Because soldiers are always on their feet, a good pair of boots is always a great gift. A high-quality pair of boots will help alleviate pain and are designed to be breathable in order to keep soldiers cool and comfortable. These boots are also made with flexible, slip-resistant soles and durable, lightweight material to make traversing difficult terrain as easy as possible. Much like bags, boots are widely available in a variety of styles and options to fit your soldier best.

Journals

One of the most popular pre-deployment gifts for loved ones is a journal, as journaling is a common activity for soldiers. These journals not only help them stave off boredom and keep track of daily events, but being able to write down their experiences helps to put them into perspective. Soldiers have used journals to cope with loneliness and fear or to process the things they’ve seen and done. Deployment is often described as a blur, so a journal is perfect to give your soldier a frame of reference.

Meal Improvement Kit

These are self-explanatory. Military rations can get old quickly, as they focus purely on substance rather than being enjoyable. A small kit to store some spices for your soldier’s MRE’s might just be the greatest gift of all if they can finally get a little bit of variation in their food. After all, a good meal is a great morale booster and will bolster your soldier’s emotional wellbeing if mealtime can feel like a well-deserved reprieve.

Wallets

Wallets are a small token your soldier can use to slip in reminders of home. A picture, engraving, or even a note is a good fit for our wallets as it will help your soldier feel less isolated from loved ones and stave off homesickness. Furthermore, a little reminder of what they’re fighting for is another great way to bolster their morale and take care of their emotional wellbeing.