Gift suggestions, pls

As Christmas approaches, I'm thinking about what to send my stepson, who is in the military, stationed in Germany. Here is some info. If you have relatives that are (or have been stationed abroad) I would appreciate your sharing w/ me what they appreciated receiving. I have no idea of what to get him.

He's 22
He is not into sweets
likes to select his own electronics and music
does not enjoy reading! (isn't that awful!)
not into jewelry, not even a watch

thanks for your help

Perhaps his father could select a gift or two.....

my husband hates shopping and trusts me w/ the buying of gifts for everybody. The only gift he buys is mine!

edited to add: we are both happy with that arrangement.

This message was edited Nov 7, 2006 7:29 PM

Vossner, when I was working at Target, we put together a box for a guy that was a former employee then went into the service. When asked what he really wanted, it was stuff like beef jerky, American snacks, granola bars and the like. None of that stuff was available where he was.

Is there anything from home that he might really miss or be attached to that you could actually send him or send pictures of to him? Does he have friends that would help with favorite high school music, a tape of them being goofy or anything like that?

He loves beef jerky. Not big on other snacks, but I can likely put together a list of things he liked when he lived here. You mean the commisary doesn't carry that kinda stuff? He smokes, but I can't in good conscience buy my baby boy any ciggies, lol. I wouldn't mind sending him some Jalapeno wine, a Texas "thang", but can I send that thru the mail?

He went to boarding school his last 2 years and I don't believe he kept any of those contacts.

I'm telling ya, he is kinda hard to shop for!

I just happened across this forum ....but I'd suggest an i-Tune music card...if he has an i-Pod. He could chose his own music. You can get them in $ increments. It's safe to mail, as he'd have to activate it. There's all kinds of accessories for the i-Pod also. Also, maybe a Euro pass so he could take weekend excursions by train....lots of neat places close by.....

bigbubbles, those are GREAT ideas. He is a traveller, and he likes to pick his own music. thanks.

Hope it helps!

I have already called the ticket agent, this is the way I'm gonna go. buy him a eurorail to Switzerland. Thanks again for a most wonderful idea. Badseed, this boy is also getting some beef and turkey jerky.

How about a pillow to try and get a decent night's sleep?

Is he allowed his own pillow, even?

Sorry, sounds like a silly idea, but a nice Memory Foam would
be pretty nice at the end of a long day in the military.

i've heard they have icky pillows in the service. ipod, pass to switzerland and a pillow, i'd be happy! and with a tiny piece of jerky sticking out of my mouth when i fell asleep. LOL sorry nery, i'm getting silly.

I agree, an IPod and ITunes gift card. Or perhaps a portable DVD player with an Amazon gift card?

track, the way that boy is, he'd think jerky coming out of a pillow would be way cool.
I'm having to reconsider eurorail pass--husband says that if he doesn't get leave within a 2 mo period, he may not be able to use it. No way of knowing when he's entitled to leave--I don't think he knows too far in advance.
well, back to ipod gift card

When I was a child I made my brother a small scrap book of English cartoons etc which he enjoyed and kept during his service.Sometimes it's the little daily things that are missed.

I used to be quite involved with a local military support group and may be able to offer a few suggestions. One of the biggest requests we got was for socks and undies...I know it's nothing fancy, but that's what the guys & gals needed. American BRAND name snacks (beef jerky as Badseed said) is about #2. Other than that it's anything to help pass the time and calling cards to call back home (please d-mail me for more info on exactly what calling cards to get because all are not equal overseas). Hand-held electronic games were the biggest request, along with personal DVD players, for things to pass the time...and be sure to send TONS of batteries in the right size.

If you're going to do the iTunes gift card make sure your son has access to the net and enough time on the net to use the card, not all soldiers have access so don't assume he does. Some soldiers only get about 10-30 minutes per week of access, others have almost 24 hour access, depending on their job.

One Christmas that I was in touch with many soldiers in Iraq I asked them what they wanted in their care packages more than anything else...the answer was unanimous...homemade cookies. Anything to make it feel more like home is what they really want, especially at the holidays. If you have any special traditions you do, or special foods you fix, try and include him somehow.

Also don't be afraid to send extra goodies for his friends. Then no one is left out or alone at Christmas. =^) If you'd like I can see if the military support group is still taking on new soldiers/companies. If they are I can have your son added to the mailing list. I was on the board for the group and had to leave because of medical reasons, but am still close with the director and just spoke with her the other day...so let me know! =^)

I'm also e-mailing a friend/soldier who was stationed in Germany to ask his advice here...I'll let you know what he says as soon as I hear from him.

oh thank you , thank you I will appreciate on the person in germany. questions

1) I thought they had to use military-issue socks/undies
2) I guess mail moves pretty fast, would be concerned about homemade cookies getting stale

I told my friend all the suggestions that were made for your son's Christmas gift. He just wrote me back and said...

Germany is no different then the states, ok homemade
cookies is a good one. I'm telling you they have
everything over there, even places to rent dvds!

Please take into consideration that my friend recently returned from Iraq. Not much info there, but enough to go on. It's great to know that your son is in a civilized place, but that doesn't help figure out what gift to send him!

The thing about socks and undies is the way the military does laundry, lol. You know the huge duffles they have? Well, all the clothes go into the duffles and then the duffles are washed. Not good for socks and undies, but great for not having to sort clothes. LOL! We just sent whatever was on the shelf at Wal-Mart...just whites.

Mail doesn't move fast, especially around the holidays. Mail early and use Priority! You'll only have to pay for shipping to the US ZIP listed in his address, not to his actual place in Germany. I would put the cookies in one of those disposable plastic containers, they are cheap and lightweight. That'll help to keep them fresh as possible. Even if they do get a bit stale they will still be enjoyed! C'mon, there's nothing like homemade cookies on Christmas! Just to be cute send him an apple or carrot for Santa's reindeer too, LOL! Just a note, homemade items will only be accepted from family members or close friends. I've sent homemade cookies and never had a complaint about them getting stale.

If you get e-mails from him often enough then you know he has access to the net so go for the iPod and iTunes. A personal DVD player is great too, especially if they can rent movies over there (obviously in English or my friend would have said otherwise). I've also seen pics of 4 guys crowded around one "personal" DVD player, but that was in Iraq. You know, another good idea is a digital camera so he can get some great pics of all the places he's going...share them with you and remember them forever.

Make sure to send him lots of pics from home too. I went around town and snapped a bunch of pics of a heavy snowfall we had and the guys loved it...and they weren't from my hometown, but it reminded them of home. That was for the guys in Iraq because they certainly didn't have snow! Your son may have snow, but he doesn't have family, so send him lots of pics of family thinking of him...his presents under the tree...a place set for him at the table...his stocking hung up...someone holding a sign saying I Love You, etc. He may not get all the pics till after Christmas, but that's ok, just send them as soon as you can. You have no idea how much good that'll do for him...and the guys around him, they share everything they get.

I hope that helps some.
Heather

thank you so much, heather, you have given me lots to think about and pursue.