My niece is in the Navy & is home for the first time in 19 months. I really want to do something special for her but have no idea what to do. She just got home yesterday and our entire extended family is taking her and her husband to lunch tomorrow after church. She will be flying out on Wednesday so it's not like she'll be here long and of course we have no idea when she'll be back. I am just so proud of her for what she's doing with her life and how much she has matured since enlisting. We were given very little advance notice that she was coming so I haven't had much time to plan anything special. I thought about giving her money tomorrow so she'd have a little extra spending money while she's home...but I really wanted something more special. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Thanks everyone! It was a beautiful day weather wise & we had such a great day with her. I appreciate all of your ideas and between all of her extended family, I think we'll be able to do most of your suggestions. Thanks again! -J.
My son was in the Navy for six years! Could you bring a little notebook, or a piece of paper and get everyone's addresses and emails together for her? they so appreciate the contact!
S.
What about a journal, or a beautiful address book with the family's info already filled in? Stamps & stationery? Photo Album of everyone here at home? (Then you can send some shots from this trip for her to add?) I know-everything is electronic now, but there's a lot to be said for HOLDING a photo album with REAL photographs!
Vermont Teddy Bear has cute Navy bears...
If she is stationed outside of the United States or far away from home? An address book with everyone's information in it - including e-mail addresses.
I don't know what rank she is. Money is always nice for enlisted folks. However, if they are going to get a chance to homestead at a base for a few years...a gift card to a store to be able to buy things they would like to furnish their place with would be great too!!!
Keep in mind she might be overwhelmed with everyone. So if you give her something, do it while you are alone with her. The best thing that many service members want is a THANK YOU for your service and sacrifices to our country.
Since I don't know her - it's tough to think of something special and personal for her. I am sure some of the other mom's and dad's on here will help give you some great ideas!! Please tell her I said THANK YOU!!!
A small sturdy book with family pictures would be good and contact info.
I have an idea. Someone suggested getting family contact info together and giving it to her. That's a good idea. Howqe aout making sure everyone has HER cotact info, and having everyoine write her a letter and mail it so she has it right after she gets back to wherever she's stationed. I bet getting mail from home, a lot of it, would be appreciated.
How about taking her to get her nails done.
I think that it would be good for her so that she can feel like a woman again.
It's fun to be a girl and show it.
= )
I would say a nice stationary set, address book included. Go ahead and fill in all the family's information, so it will be that much easier. I like the idea of a photo album too. Its hard being away from your family for that long, but the mail and pictures help make you all seem closer somehow.
And while she's home, do a "girl's day". Depending on her job and duties, she may not be able to get the french manicure, but a visit to the salon, and maybe a massage will be a great little refresher for any woman.
Depending on her tastes:
Massage?
Make-over for fun?
Day Spa treatment?
Picture collage with people signed on the white framed area.
Skype set up for face to face chats while she is stationed abroad
haircut
favorite movies rented for her to watch in bed one morning or evening
pile of fun magazines -- vogue, cosmo, glamour?
what about getting family photos done while she is home, and get them done someplace where she can have them to take with her when she leaves?
My Navy Boy just got home Friday.
He got a trip to Kings Dominion yesterday and dinner at Steak and Shake. He's home until Saturday
One thing I loved while we were moving around (hubby is a Marine) was the recipe books from my sister with all mom's recipes and extra cards to add more.
The address book my MIL did for me with my side of the family included with anniversary and birthdays.
What my son really wants are meatloaf, pork loin and mop sauce, and meatballs.
He wanted to go fishing with Dad and the little ones so they are out now.
What he'll get when he leaves: gift cards to Subway, Cracker Barrel, BP, Flying J Truck Stops. He's driving to his next duty station.
He just wants to hang with us and do nothing until he has to go and DO for the Navy.
BZ to your niece. Joining the Navy was the best decision my son ever made.
does she already have an iPod?
a piece of jewelry to remind her of home? (ring?)
Spending money is a great idea though.
