With the holidays breathing down our necks I thought I would post something today to help out anyone who is trying to come up with some ideas. These are ideas I have employed myself in the past or they are suggestions from friends who have been there done that as well. Remember to check the deadlines for shipping and keep in mind a little extra time “just in case.”

1. Nothing says “I love you” to a man more than a box of meat!

Order military gifts from Hickory Farms and express your appreciation for deployed soldiers this holiday season. What better way to say “thank you” than with the nostalgic authenticity of our military gift packages. Choose from an assortment of military packages, all with free shipping to APO and FPO addresses to help you stay in touch with loved ones and adopted soldiers. This Christmas season, support the troops and show your appreciation with a taste of home in each military gift package. HICKORY FARMS

2. Keep them in touch with traditions!

I have often packaged up cutout butter cookies and sent sealed tubs of icing over with them. This has always been a huge tradition in our family and this was one way our soldier could enjoy the tastes of home. Granted you have no control and he may just pop open the tub of icing and enjoy it with a spoon, but the point here is… it’s a taste of home and tradition.

3. Movies and Music:

Movies and music are often dividers. They are often very different from generation to generation and do more to cause the gap between generations than to bring them together, but the holidays do change this! There are some traditional holiday music and movies that we can all identify with. Send your soldier a nostaligic CD of hymns and carols you normally listen to this time of year. Maybe make a recording of each family member wishing your soldier a Merry Christmas. Take a tour of lights with a video camera and send it to him. All of these things lets your soldier have a taste of home and keeps him connected. Anyone can send a box of cookies and goodies (and wonderful strangers send tons to our troops every day!) but only a wife, mother, husband, father, or sibling can send the things that most closely will touch the soldier’s heart.

4. Camosocks!

Get a Camosock and fill it up with goodies… with small handheld games, power bars, candy from home, small notes, and anything else you find that will fit. They are  a great keepsake!

5. Christmas Tree and Fake Snow!

We all know that being deployed stinks… and being deployed during the holidays stinks twice as much. The holidays are a time for us to revel in the joys of our freedom! Our senses are on overload  this time of year with sights, sounds, smells and tastes — the least not being snow and the Christmas Tree! Pick up a small tree for your soldier that is pre-decorated and lit. Don’t get an expensive one. Remember this is going to a war zone and is not something your soldier will pack up and bring home with him at the end of his tour.

Suicide has been on the increase in the military community, and since we are a community we are all responding by wanting to know what we can do to reach out to a soldier who may be tempted to end his or her own life.  One of the first things we have to do is get beyond the myths of suicide and understand the facts. One myth, for example, is that people are more likely to commit suicide around the holidays.

Although holiday blues may occur, suicide is actually less likely to occur during the months of November and December. Why? Well one school of thought believes it’s because the person is more likely to be surrounded by people and will have things to distract himself from the troubles that haunt him. There also seems to be more of an all around upbeat message collectively. We hear more upbeat stories on the news during the month of December about the kindness of mankind. Maybe this helps the person not feel as hopeless. Regardless, we know suicide is a thing done in isolation normally. So keep this in mind when the other 10 months out of the year make it easy for the suicidal person to isolate himself.

Here’s a few more myths about suicide I found. Education is key for both the person who is suicidal and for the person who may come across his path!

Common Misconceptions

SOURCE LINK

The following are common misconceptions about suicide:

“People who talk about suicide won’t really do it.”

Not True. Almost everyone who commits or attempts suicide has given some clue or warning. Do not ignore suicide threats. Statements like “you’ll be sorry when I’m dead,” “I can’t see any way out,” — no matter how casually or jokingly said, may indicate serious suicidal feelings.

“Anyone who tries to kill him/herself must be crazy.”

Not True. Most suicidal people are not psychotic or insane. They may be upset, grief-stricken, depressed or despairing, but extreme distress and emotional pain are always signs of mental illness and are not signs of psychosis.

“If a person is determined to kill him/herself, nothing is going to stop him/her.”

Not True. Even the most severely depressed person has mixed feelings about death, and most waver until the very last moment between wanting to live and wanting to die. Most suicidal people do not want to die; they want the pain to stop. The impulse to end it all, however overpowering, does not last forever.

“People who commit suicide are people who were unwilling to seek help.”

Not True. Studies of suicide victims have shown that more then half had sought medical help within six month before their deaths and a majority had seen a medical professional within 1 month of their death.

“Talking about suicide may give someone the idea.”

Not True. You don’t give a suicidal person morbid ideas by talking about suicide. The opposite is true — bringing up the subject of suicide and discussing it openly is one of the most helpful things you can do.