It's that time of year. Everyone has packed away their Halloween costumes and candy in favor of autumn wreaths and various Winter Solstice decorations. Television networks have begun to air advertisements for Christmas sales, festive music fills the shopping malls and people seem to be in an overall merrier mood. The holiday season is a time of joy for most people as families come together to celebrate. Yet, for military families, the holidays can be a challenging time. Deployments can keep even the closest of families apart when they really want to be together. Take a look at a few ways to make the holidays a little brighter when your loved one is away at service.
Invite other military families to celebrate with you
Yours is not the only family missing someone. Try to contact other military families in your area with a loved one deployed. You can invite them to your home for a large holiday celebration. This can help prevent loneliness and make the holiday extra special for everyone involved. If you are feeling really ambitious, you could arrange a group celebration on the nearest military base, where many families could spend the holidays together.
Try to schedule a video chat session near major holidays
If possible, arrange a time to video chat with your deployed loved one on or near the holiday. Not only will this brighten up your servicemember's day, it will bring a little more joy into your own celebration. Remember that your servicemember may not be able to talk on the exact date of the holiday, so try to plan ahead as much as possible.
Send your servicemember a piece of the celebration
While it is not possible to send your loved one a whole turkey or a Christmas tree, you can still send him or her a small part of the celebration. In your holiday care package, you could include the servicemember's favorite ornament or a picture of the family taken during the Thanksgiving meal. Your loved one will feel like he or she was a part of the gathering, even if there is a large distance separating them from you.
Invite other servicemembers to share in the celebration
Your deployed servicemember would be proud if you opened your home to other local servicemembers who may not have a family to celebrate the holidays with. Contact your local VA or VFW post to inquire about Adopt-a-Vet programs. They can tell you how to arrange for a veteran to celebrate the holidays with you and your family. There are also many Adopt-a-Soldier programs that will put you in contact with a local servicemember looking for a place to spend the holidays. Click here for more information on these programs.
The holidays should be a source of happiness for everyone. Deployment does not have to put a damper on things. By following the above suggestions, you can help make the season just as merry as if your loved one were still here.