Gifts are tokens of appreciation, gratitude, love, admiration, and respect. They’re items that we wilfully give to our recipients without the expectation of getting anything in return. There are various occasions for gift giving, from festive seasons to birthdays, anniversaries, corporate events and just because moments.
Still, to make these moments memorable and special, the secret is in choosing the ideal gifts that would certainly bring a smile to the recipient. So, when you have that special military service member in your life, the best way to express your admiration, and support, for their noble cause is to treat them with well-chosen military gifts. If you’re stumped for ideas, feel free to use some of the following as your inspiration.
Medal Ribbons
One of the best awards a soldier can receive for their service in protecting our freedom is a medal. As symbols of personal achievements, there are all sorts of medals a military person can receive and they truly are the accessories they can showcase with pride. The more dedicated the person, the more awards they may get, which although definitely not a bad thing it can make things slightly complicated when it comes to attaching them to clothes.
Can you imagine all the visual clutter and noise wearing all of them at once can result in? This is where the army, navy and air-force service medal ribbon bar steps in. They’re the compact versions of the suspension ribbons of medals with a regulated size and they’re easy to attach and wear with minimal hassle. In some cases, the bars are the awards meaning there isn’t a corresponding medal counterpart with suspension ribbons.
Since each of the colours used on the ribbon bar designs has some significance, be it the location or the outstanding type of service the military persons serve, before you do the shopping at the specialised military shops that have all the ranges of bars, you ought to do some research. Be sure to check the colours and the meaning behind them before the purchase if you want to nail gift giving.
Display Cases
It doesn’t matter if your beloved recipient has already retired or is still proudly serving, they’re going to appreciate having some display cases to neatly arrange, showcase, and store their precious military items. Depending on the various items, there are different types of cases you can surprise them with.
If you choose the precious ribbon bars as presents, you can also treat them to a fancy ribbon bar case for them to organise all of their ribbons and keep them easily accessible, so when the occasion calls for it they won’t have to spend a great deal of time trying to find the needed ornaments.
The same can be said about a collection of medals, and don’t worry if their range differs in sizes because there are various types of display cases to choose from, including small, medium and large. Other items they can choose to display include the flag, which is a traditional military gift option for retirees, followed by military coins that are just as special accomplishment-wise as medals and ribbons.
Ceremonial swords are additional collectables that make great gifts because they’re available in a variety of designs suitable for anyone in the Australian Defence Force, from the army to the air force. Whether you buy the sword on its own, or with a display case, additional accessories like scabbards can further complement your gift.
Memorabilia
When in doubt, there’s always a wide array of collectables to choose from. Based on the occasion or event you’re choosing them, there are some important commemorative military symbols and days of Australian Defence Force you ought to consider.
Examples like the red poppy with Remembrance Day to pay respects to everyone who sacrificed their life for freedom and ANZAC Day for the First World War services of Australian and New Zealand forces.
Some forms of memorabilia for these two crucial dates are badges, lapel pins, pens, notebooks, bags, and even plush toys and bracelets. Of course, there’s memorabilia that’s in general related to the military, not specifically these two dates, which can also come in handy when you’re looking for thoughtful gifts for the special military person in your life to make him or her feel appreciated and loved.
Military Apparel
If you know their size, and their ideal fit, why not surprise them with comfortable military apparel. This would show them you care about their comfort and looks as much as their profession, so it’s the perfect gift. One of the items you can easily pick is a military hoodie to keep them warm and stylish.
Whether choosing from the army, navy or air force models, be sure to focus on the fabric to get them an item that’s breathable, comfortable, and durable. Cotton is a great choice, but breathability and thermoregulation-wise, blends with polyester are the better option. To top it all off, they’re easy to care for so you won’t add to their chores.
