This year, Military Spouse Central was invited to attend the May 9 event, thanks to Circle of Moms by POPSUGAR who arranged for Military Spouse Bloggers to cover this event.

Mother and son at the Joining Forces Mother’s Day tea at the White House.

170 military members, spouses and their children were able to attend this intimate tea event. At the White House tea, the First Lady also recognized each of the finalists for Military Spouse the Year award as well as talking a little bit about Tricia Hines Ward, the overall winner of Military Spouse of the Year.

The kids seemed to both be filled with excitement and also remain completely unaware of how big an honor an invite to the
White House is.

The room was adorned with china tea cups and dainty cookies and an abundance of flowers. But what makes the event special is watching the delight on the children’s faces as they sit politely in their Sunday best and enjoy being at the White House!

Michelle spoke about the military family and the debt that we owe all the moms in military spouses, whether they are the service member or a military spouse.

“You help our country soar,” she said. “When somebody needs you — your family, community or your country — you answer the call every time”.

Prince Harry started helping the kids with their crafts, many of them unaware at first who he was. Whispers between the kids spread quickly though.

After Michelle Obama spoke about these remarkable military families, the kids made crafts for their mothers. They selected flowers for bouquets, made a snack, and crafted some jewelry.

And a prince showed up to lend a hand as well.

Prince Harry, who is visiting the states, also visited the event. The moms and daughters seemed equally thrilled at the chance to meet Prince Harry.

Prince Harry was excited to attend this special event.

The First Lady remarked that she would like to see this event, and the entire Joining Forces initiative be a “forever proposition” that will continue with succeeding presidents.

And that insight can amount to a lot of unique feelings that come with being married to the military. How do milspouses cope with love, loss and leaving?

Ali still wanted to send out a family photo in their yearly Christmas card even though they were spending the holidays apart. We love her creative idea!

“My husband, Trevor, missed his sister’s wedding during his first deployment. I know it’s still hard for him when he thinks about missing it.  It’s hard for his sister, too,“ she said. An issue constantly affecting military spouses and service members alike is learning how to deal with missing big events.

A fine line must be straddled between being open enough so there is no resentment without bringing it up so much no one can move past it. It seems the best course of action is to be open with your feelings without dwelling on a negative event and focus on something positive.

“For the last New Year’s he missed, I still went to a party with friends and had him on FaceTime on my phone all night.  (My phone) was passed around and he got to talk to everyone at the party and we rang in the New Year together the best way we could.”

It’s this kind of dedication to making things work that keeps spirits high, even when someone can’t be there for something big, but you can’t always pull off the best surprises alone. Ali enlisted the help of her husband’s friends to help celebrate their third wedding anniversary.

“A friend of ours, who was also deployed at the time, came up with the idea to throw Trevor a surprise anniversary party and have me on video chat,” she said. “About 10 guys got together and grilled…and had me on video chat.  It was morning here, so I made myself a nice, big breakfast and a mimosa.  Even though we were on opposite sides of the planet, it was a very special anniversary that neither of us will ever forget!”

“We’ve never had a problem making an important event special regardless of circumstances.”

Every Event is a Big Event

It’s not the big stuff that gets Gibbs, it’s the little stuff. And lots of little events can add up. She confides in the community she has around her to cheer her up.

“Any event missed by a deployed service member seems like a big one to me,” says Gibbs. “When my best friend was deployed with her husband, I went along on their son’s preschool field trip to the local food co-op.  I don’t know that any parent would see that as a major event in their child’s life, but when neither mom nor dad can go, it’s a big event.”

Sharing Your Story

Gibbs’ blog has been a great help to getting past these military hurdles.

“Some of the longer, more popular military-related posts were sparked from speaking with our state chaplain,” she said. “He reminded me those struggles are so common and other families could surely benefit from hearing our story and encouraged us to write about it so we did.”

The blog has grown over several years to include several crucial life moments like missed events, getting engaged, deployment, reintegration and most recently, having a baby.

“I guess, at the end of the day, this is our life and I love it.  We have met some wonderful people, learned some very important lessons, and become such a strong couple.  Our ability to effectively and respectfully communicate with each other is second to none,” said Gibbs.

Photos courtesy of Ali Gibbs

This month’s winners are Army spouses Rebekah Corcoran and Holly Bell. Each will receive a $50 coupon to the Veterans United gear store. Here are their outstanding responses.

December’s winning reader stories touch on the difficulties of spending holidays apart and how military spouses can cope.

Never Truly Alone

Rebekah Corcoran, Army spouse

I grew up in foster care. As such, I knew what it was like to spend holidays alone. When I married my husband, now Staff Sgt. William (K.C.) Corcoran, we made our own family. As a military spouse I knew there would be times when we would spend the holidays apart.

K.C. and the rest of the 62D EOD Company deployed to Afghanistan in July of 2010 for a year-long deployment. I didn’t think much about Christmas that July when we said our goodbyes. As the warm weather grew colder and the beautiful colors of fall danced around Colorado it became more and more apparent that no matter how much I might wish to skip the holiday season the holiday season was simply not going to skip by me.

As December approached, I wondered what the Christmas season would bring. Both of my parents are deceased and I had no home to go back to. With our husbands gone, my fellow local military spouse friends took the opportunity to visit family back in their home states. I made the decision, even if I was going to spend it alone, to make the best out of Christmas.

So, I dragged our eight-foot Christmas tree out of storage, and I struggled to put each limb on, fluffing out the green and making it stand perfectly tall. With the help of a ladder, blasting Christmas music and a blazing fire in the fireplace I decorated our house. I hung the ornaments that we had bought together over the years and smiled at the memories we had made. I made myself a cup of homemade hot chocolate and read the emails and cards my husband had mailed me from thousands of miles away in a war zone. And on Black Friday, I stood in line for hours at Best Buy to send him a Christmas care package full of the goodies he didn’t have access to out there.

On Christmas morning, I opened the package he had sent to me, after weeks of using every ounce of self-control I possessed not to open it. His voice on the other end of the phone was the best Christmas present I could have gotten. As we talked I sat under the Christmas tree and described it to him and he told me about the day he had defusing bombs in Afghanistan. Bombs didn’t care what day of the year it was. We made plans for next Christmas and planned our future together.

This Christmas, we have a beautiful 5-month-old baby boy, born from our love and passion for each other. I will never again be alone on Christmas, as my son will always be there, but then again, even with KC deployed, I wasn’t truly alone. Our hearts and spirits spent Christmas together, they soared across the miles that separated us and danced together under that Christmas tree for we shared in love and hope. Hope that he would come home safe from war, and he did.

Creating New Traditions

Holly Bell, Army spouse

You see posts online and hear comments in the line at the commissary. “It just doesn’t seem like Christmas time. I decorated the tree, hung the lights, bought the presents and still nothing. My soldier is deployed, so it just isn’t the same.”

When your Soldier is deployed, nothing feels the same. So, I decided that I am not going to celebrate the holidays like I would traditionally do if my husband was home. I am on a mission to create new traditions for the holidays that happen during deployment instead of making myself miserable and depressed because I can’t recreate something when the key piece is missing.

Thanksgiving is a no-cooking, do-whatever-you-want sort of day. My daughter and I were going to go out to eat but decided that we didn’t want to. So we heated up some leftovers watched some movies and did nothing. That in itself is more than enough for me to be thankful for. It was a welcome break. When my hubby returns he will be making a smoked turkey and we will whip up all the trimmings and spend all day watching football since neither of us have watched this year because it is something we do together and it’s not the same when he’s gone.

Christmas is the holiday that I go all out for — every decoration in my home is taken down and replaced with something Christmas. It is my very favorite holiday. This year will be the first year that I will not have my husband with me. So I am going to create a new tradition. I sent my husband a mini-tree with 25 numbered presents. One for each day leading up to Christmas but, before he can open it, he has to guess what’s inside. If he guesses more right than wrong, he wins, and if not, then I do. I can’t wait to see who wins. When he comes home we will have a Christmas as well.

I think the key to making it through the holiday season is welcoming your own deployment traditions. Not forcing yourself to pretend that the things you share with your soldier are just as fun without him.

Photo courtesy of koka_sexton

Taking time to relax and enjoy the season’s quieter moments will make the holidays much less stressful.

But perfection has its price. Preoccupation with Pinterest-worthy place settings and Martha Stewart-level treats often results in more seasonal stress than Christmas cheer. For military families where one parent often must do the work of two, this stress may often be magnified.

Here are eight easy ways to eliminate holiday stress and make this the most wonderful most wonderful time of the year.

Scale back

By taking on too much during the holidays, you set yourself up to fail. Instead, try these tips to simplify the season. Ask for assistance. Holiday baking, tree trimming and even basic gift wrapping are great ways to involve even the littlest helpers during the holidays.

• Simplify your shopping. Buy all the adults on your list the same gift. A six-pack of local craft beer, gift cards to a favorite restaurant or an adult class are all easy options with mass appeal. For couples, a joint gift is another great option that cuts down on your shopping time.
• Switch up your gift swap. If choosing presents for every family member seems like too much, suggest a Secret Santa or some other alternative exchange.
• Set attainable decorating goals. Make less more this year by choosing a central location in your home to fill with cheer. A simple wreath, garlands on a banister or mantel and well-placed candles can make any room feel festive. Want more? Try this simmering stovetop creation to fill your whole home with the scents of the season.
• Streamline your menu. While you never want to run out of food during a party, serving up a few much-loved classics based on tested recipes is a great way to prevent holiday headaches. Send guests a list of what you’ll be preparing; after they’ve checked it (twice), they can decide whether they want to bring any potluck dishes to supplement the table.
• Say no to invitations. Prioritize the parties and events most important to you. Just send gracious thank yous to the hosts you have to turn down and make plans to get together after the holiday rush ends.

Focus on family and fun

One of the (seemingly) easiest ways to help during the holidays is by donating money or needed items directly to a charity. These organizations do most of the legwork for you, facilitating feel-good transactions that don’t add too much to your already-heaping holiday plate.

How do you choose your military charity and avoid charity scams?

In Imperial Beach, Calif., the local commissary takes donations each year to be able to provide a Thanksgiving dinner to military families in the area.

Choosing a military charity

Whether you want to show support for troops still overseas or raise funds for wounded warriors coming home, picking a specific cause that’s important to you and your family will make it easier to identify a respected charity and see results as you continue to give.

There are a lot of needs that need to be addressed in the military community. Talk to your local VA or other area veterans groups. They will likely be able to point you in the direction of the greatest need, and get you in contact with reputable charitable organizations. Or check out a website like charitywatch.org.

Avoiding a scam

There are a lot of great military charities to be found this holiday season. But there are a number of shady ones, too. To make sure your donations are going to where you intend them to, vet organizations using these six tips.

• Ask questions. Get a charity’s contact information and a description of its programs in writing before pledging any money. Find out about the organization’s 501(c)3 status and executive compensation. Check the charity’s commitment to donor rights (to make sure they won’t sell your personal information). Verify how much of your donation will be going directly to those in need.
• Check out the organization with the office that regulates charities in your state. For a list of state offices, visit the National Association of State Charity Officials. The Internal Revenue Service will also have information on file about legitimate charities.
• Know the signs of a scam. Reject high-pressure pitches or requests for cash only. Guarantees of a prize in exchange for your contribution are usually too good to be true. Beware of newly-formed charities; it takes a while to build the infrastructure needed to actually get donations to those in need.
• Initiate. Contact charities directly, instead of giving money to the person who contacts you. Some charities might send out representatives to get donations, but these could also be scam artists misrepresenting themselves.
• Report abuses to the Better Business Bureau, your state’s Attorney General office and the National Fraud Information Center.
• Go big or go home. The two best ways to practice oversight of your giving are to either choose a big charity you’re already familiar with, or to put your money to work in your community, where you can see results.

Unfortunately, scams involving veterans and other military personnel aren’t at all uncommon. Here are some other tips for avoiding scams targeting these individuals.

Other ways to help

There are many ways to support these and other military families at Christmas and year-round.You can volunteer with veterans, send a care package to deployed troops or even extend a simple act of kindness to the military families left behind.

Eager to give more in the new year? Check out these tips for donating without spreading yourself too thin.

Photo courtesy Official U.S. Navy Imagery.

If something that once was enjoyable suddenly feels like a chore, it’s time to make a change in your gift swap.

Make holiday gift giving fun for everyone this year.

Make a shopping list that includes the people most important to you. Don’t feel obligated to reciprocate every gift you receive (but do remember to send a gracious thank you soon after the holidays end). If you feel you must give something to colleagues, neighbors or others you regularly interact with, consider a DIY gift you can make inexpensively and bulk. Edible gifts are a great solution.

Set a spending limit that fits your personal budget. Friends and family members don’t want you to give them gifts that put you in a bad position financially. And (most) people won’t complain if the gift you choose is more thoughtful than it is expensive. If you can’t afford to spend anything this year, consider giving the gift of your time. Help out around a loved one’s house, or volunteer for a cause that’s important to them.

Contemplate an alternative exchange Talk to family and/or friends about trying something different this year. Make gift giving more personal by focusing on the experience. Take time to think about the people in your life and the things that make them happiest. Communication is key; make sure everyone knows the plan so there are no surprises when gifts are exchanged. Check out this article for more tips for getting family members on board. 

Think Secret Santa is so last holiday season? Try one of these alternative gift exchanges to make the season of giving fun again.

• Exchange ornaments: Start a new holiday tradition by suggesting an ornament exchange. This is a great way to help younger family members start building a holiday decoration collection for when they move out on their own, and it’s a fun, festive and fairly inexpensive activity. Pull names from a bowl a few weeks ahead of time (after Thanksgiving dinner is a great option), then start your search. Ornaments can be store-bought or homemade; just be sure to keep the recipient’s interests in mind. A little girl that loves her dolls might might like a miniature Christmas Barbie, while a former pilot might appreciate a tiny model plane.
• Choose a theme: Books, movies, board games. Choose a general theme and then pick items within the theme that you know each recipient will really enjoy. Focusing your shopping will allow you to choose thoughtful, meaningful gifts for everyone on your list. If multiple people want to participate, you might want to assign different themes to provide a better variety of gifts. Bonus: A theme will make one-stop shopping much more realistic.
• Stuff stockings: Take a trip to the dollar store to find fun trinkets sure to put a smile on your loved ones’ faces. Turn your holiday gathering into a yo-yoing competition or a game of foam football. Here are some ideas for stocking stuffers less than $5.
• Give the gift of experience: Instead of accumulating more stuff, spend money on a memory that will last a lifetime. Take a cooking class. Go rock climbing. Paint pottery. Brainstorm ideas as a family and choose something you’ll all enjoy doing together. Take photos during the activity and give a framed copy to each participant.
• Make a game of it: Get creative with your gift giving. Turn your shopping trip into a scavenger hunt. Have each participant in this swap draw a name and a letter. Find the perfect gift for your recipient that starts with that letter. Or check out one of these other fun ideas.
• Go homemade: Play to your strengths. A handmade wreath, a personalized scrapbook or a mix CD — figure out some things you can make that you’ll be proud to give.

How do you avoid overspending while still enjoying the holiday season? Here are five more ways to save on holiday necessities.

Photo courtesy Lars Plougmann

If there’s a military spouse in your life you’d like to spoil (or if you’d like to spoil yourself), here’s a few gift suggestions hand-picked by other military spouses. They’re guaranteed to put a smile on your loved one’s face. For other suggestions, check out our other gift guides.

Uniform Bag or Tote: $30-40

“My absolute favorite thing I have ever bought (yes, I bought it for myself) is an ODU bag…you can get them from a variety of places, as several military spouses make them and you can get them in whichever branch ODU your AD member is in! I use mine as a book bag for my college classes.” – Laura Vanderwerf, Military Spouse Magazine’s 2011 Coast Guard Spouse of the Year

Spa or Personal Care Products: $25

“My favorite military-themed product is called Freedom Feet Foot Kit. It’s an all-natural pedicure set through Lemongrass Spa. They offer it year-round, but it’s wonderful for Christmas time, especially because it is for the female soldiers who are deployed around the world. I love it because: one, It’s all natural, two, it smells amazing, and three, it focuses specifically on our female soldiers.” – Stacy Swearengen, founder of Military Spouse Portable Career Planning.

Necklace with Military Pride: $65-100

 “Our favorite gift to give a military spouse is a necklace from Buttons Up Jewelry. These delicate, lovely pieces provide military spouses an opportunity to share the pride we feel for our service member while looking fabulous at the same time.” – Molly Blake, military spouse

Engraved or Personalized Bracelets: $15-135

“These engraved military bracelets can be personalized for as little as $15 to honor the fallen, declare love and support for the deployed, or simply to recognize service. They are great gifts for military parents, especially that mother-in-law who is impossible to shop for. The best part? If you get them from hero bracelets you can designate a military charity and for each purchase a portion of proceeds is put to good use in our own military community.” – Lori Falkner Volkman, author of Witty Little Secret

My favorite part about these stockings are the pockets!

Stockings with a Military Flair: $15

“I love these camouflage stockings I found on Etsy. They really reflect my husband so I got one for him to hang by the chimney with care. These would be neat to send in a care package to someone who is deployed or even to have at home to recognize someone who is deployed that year. My favorite part is the little pocket (perfect for notes or an extra special surprise).” – Adrienne May, Military Spouse Central

For Your Walls: $10-40

“A great Christmas gift I got a couple years ago was a shadow box. I know this is nothing new to a seasoned military family, but like most guys, my first reaction was, ‘What the heck is this?’ Then my wife demonstrated how cool my American flag and military coins looked neatly positioned inside. I have been a big fan of shadow boxes ever since and currently have one hanging over my bar that proudly displays a flag and letters from my wife’s latest deployment.” – Chris Pape, founder of Macho Spouse

Build-a-Bear makes uniforms for all branches of the military.

A Gift for the Military Kids: $37

“Don’t forget military kids on your Christmas list. While military kids like regular toys just like everyone else, it is always fun to add in something that honors their military life. I am partial to these military outfits from Build-a-Bear Workshop. You can get a bear there and a military outfit as well as any other outfits or accessories that fit your child.” Caitlin K, Military Family Advocate

Save Money and DIY: $5-20

“These DIY paracord bracelets are very popular recently and they are very easy to make (without spending hours of your time). They make great gifts for military and supporters – you can also customize them with favorite colors.” – Sgt. Jon C., U.S. Army

For Someone Going Through Deployment: $10-20

“Deployment journals are a great way to get all your thoughts and feelings down in one place and they have them for military spouses and for military kids.” Christina D., Military Spouse Community Manager

You could even have a small tree dedicated to your branch of service.

Trim the Tree: $10

“My favorite military-themed Christmas gift I ever gotten has been military-themed ornaments. Another favorite is this Army boot ornament.  Added bonus: each one is less than $10, so it doesn’t have to break the bank.”  - Danni G., First-year Army Spouse

Keep the Memories: $25-40

“A good scrapbook is invaluable when you want to save memories for someone who can’t be there, whether that is your spouse or friends and family that are half way across the country. I absolutely love the fun military-themed scrapbooks.” – Cate Necaise, Family Readiness Group (FRG) Leader

Giving Spirit: Varies

Remember that instead of a gift, you can make a donation to your favorite military charity in someone’s name. What better way to carry the Christmas spirit than by giving to those who really need it? Consider donating to a cause like the Wounded Warrior Project, Homes for our Troops, Blue Star Families or any other charity that speaks to you personally.

There are lots of ways to send the holidays to those stuck in remote locations this time of year. But how can you bring a bit of those loved ones home?

Last year, we suggested a few ways you can use technology to make distances feel smaller. Skype and recordings of holiday traditions are great ways to share some of the season’s special moments. Here are four more ways to feel a little closer to loved ones who are far from home during the holiday season.

Bring joy (and maybe a few tears) to the holidays by connecting with loved ones you can’t physically visit with.

Share a story

Children of all ages will delight in a recorded reading of their favorite holiday book (just be sure to send the text beforehand). Don’t have a favorite holiday book?  ”How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “The Nutcracker” and “The Polar Express” are all popular choices. Check out this list for other ideas.

Trim the tree

Decorate with trinkets from far-away family members. Keep everyone involved in this popular tradition by asking loved ones to send you little items from wherever they’ll be during the holidays (a keychain, a postcard, or a photograph). You can use clear glass ornaments to display small objects, or turn them into a festive photo ornament.

Try something new

Research holiday traditions in other parts of the country or world, especially those places where family members are living. In Germany, for example, children leave their shoes out for St. Nicholas, hoping for some treats. Incorporate a new cultural experience or two into your holiday celebrations at home to feel more connected to those you can’t physically be with.

Reminisce

This might seem like a no-brainer, but in the busyness of the holiday season, it’s often an easy activity to forget. Dad can’t be home for Christmas? Grandparents and others who knew him in his younger days are sure to have some funny and/or heartwarming stories to tell. Taking time to share your favorite holiday memories is a great way to keep the people you’re missing in mind in a lighthearted way.

How do you celebrate when loved ones can’t be home for the holidays?

Photo courtesy Steve Bowbrick

It’s easy enough to buy a wreath this time of year. But if you’re already holed up at home, why not use the time to get a little crafty? Here are a few of our favorite DIY ideas to keep your foyer festive throughout the winter months.

After shaping this stick wreath, you can attach fabric flowers in icy tones using a hot glue gun.

Sticks and stems

Making a wreath out of objects found in your yard (or a nearby park) is a great way to incorporate seasonal elements into your decor.

To make a wreath out of sticks, you’ll need collect about 10 to 15 of the longest ones you can find. You can cut them off trees and bushes (these will be easiest to manipulate) or grab them from the ground. Soak your sticks in water overnight for maximum flexibility. Choose the longest stick to bend into a circle and secure. The options here are plentiful, but tightly-wound floral wire or twist ties from the grocery store work best. Then weave your other sticks in and out of the circle to complete. You can get a full tutorial here.

With a little creativity, this will be the choicest (and cheapest) wreath you’ll ever own!Once you’ve finished your wreath form, it’s time to embellish. Keep an eye out for pine cones, acorns, berry sprigs and sturdy leaves. Dollar store ornaments, tiny bells and fabric flowers also are great accessories. These items can be attached with hot glue or wire.

Other options

Feeling a little less ambitious? Care for a craftier look? You can purchase foam, wire or grapevine wreath forms at any craft store and fancy them up any way you see fit. Check out these other winter-y wreath ideas from around the Web.

• Have fun with favorite flavors. A peppermint candy wreath is a sweet way to greet your guests. Or use cinnamon sticks to create a wreath with a warm, woody waft in your walkway.
• Use whites and silvers for a winter wonderland effect. Spray-on snow, shiny paper and plastic pearls make this wreath a winter winner.
• Wrap wreaths in soft fabrics — think old sweaters, yarn and felt — to create a wonderfully welcoming effect. Use the sleeves of a cable knit sweater for a wreath with a luxurious look. Or check out this wreath, which incorporates blue, grey and white felt flowers and plastic snowflakes for a frosty feel.

According to tradition, this mischievous elf comes out every year before Christmas and checks in on little children on behalf of Santa Claus. While this elf visits your home, he comes alive at night and tends to get into a little bit of trouble.Rumor has it that military elves visit military families, too, and like doing some of the same things that our deployed service members do. And with a bit of camouflage and a dog tag, Sargent Peppermint was born.

These ideas for Elf on a Shelf can also double as some great activities to keep Mom or Dad involved if your family is going through a deployment over the holidays.

1. Elf on the Shelf Joins the Army

It wasn’t hard to make Sgt. Peppermint’s elf-sized ACUs from some camouflage duct tape and his dog tags from a bit of aluminum foil.

You can customize your elf outfit for your branch of service.

2. Elf Goes to “Basic Elf Training”

Create mini obstacles that your elf can do: hurdling ornaments, climbing the tree, chin-ups, and more.

3. Give “Elf Mail” to Your Kids from Mom or Dad

This is a great idea for during deployment. Have Mom or Dad who is deployed send a special letter to your child, then have your elf “deliver” it.

Getting mail is a delight in itself but getting it via “elf mail” somehow makes it seem more like magic.

 4. Elf on the Shelf Visits the Troops

Elf on a Shelf will ship orders to APO addresses so you can order an elf (an elf double), ship it to a loved one overseas and have them take pictures or Skype with the kids to show that the elf visited them one day.

5. Studying Up on Geography

Kids awake to find that the elf is studying up on the country where their parent is deployed/stationed.

You can make all sorts of fact sheets, maps or even a sheet showing the time differences that elf could be studying.

 6. Elf Learns to Salute the American Flag

Pose elf saluting while facing an American flag.

7. Elf on the Shelf Does PT

Physical training is important for elves too. Elves need to be physically ready for the big day, so this elf is doing push ups.

An added bonus would be a drill sergeant action figure to stand over the elf.

8. Elf Makes New Friends

Elf on the Shelf is always on the move. He knows how hard it is to make new friends at every new home. Have your elf hold a sign that says “Make New Friends but Keep The Old, One is Silver and the Other’s Gold.”

9. Operation Elf on the Shelf

Have the elf take part in a military operation with whatever toys you have. We just used walkie-talkies and a few action figures.

Time to break out the remote controlled Humvee, plastic tanks and GI Joe.

10. Zip lining with Soldiers

Sgt. Peppermint choose to zip line from our tree, but your elf could set up a zip line anywhere in the house.

Be sure to tell your kids, this is one of those “do not try this at home” stunts.

11. Elf on the Shelf Cozies Up to the Marine Corps

You should make this your own, pose your elf with your troop’s patches or your military branch’s gear. We thought Sgt. Peppermint looked pretty cute in this Marine Corps cover.

Elf loves to get into other people’s things and even try them on for size.

12. Elf and Combat Boots

Your elf can take a ride in combat boots, or have him try to lace them up and tie them.

This is especially fun if you kids are learning to tie shoes.

13. Shine Your Dress Shoes

Elf loves to be helpful. He can shine your dress shoes/boots (pretending to shine your combat boots works for a substitute).

Sgt. Peppermint has pretty good shoe shining technique.

13. Elf Reads a Story

You often see Elf on a Shelf reading a book, but you can add a military twist by having him read a book about the military or go the extra mile and find a military-Christmas book like The Soldier’s Night Before Christmas.

14. Defending the Presents from an Enemy Toy Soldier Invasion

Sgt. Peppermint can play lookout and defend the presents under the tree.

All it takes is some play binoculars and some toy soldiers and you’ll have a delightful scene.

15. Elf Leads the March

Elf lines up all your toy friends for a march through the snow. Bonus: Make up a Christmas-themed marching cadence.

Hey, Ho, Santa Claus! (Hey, Ho, Santa Claus!)

 16. Elf on the Shelf Hangs with the Nutcracker

We have some military nutcrackers at our house, so we had Sgt. Peppermint spend a night out with the guys.

It looks like they had a good time spreading Christmas cheer.

17. Elf on the Shelf Joins the Navy and Sets Sail

We outfitted elf with a sailor cap and set sail in the kitchen sink.

Elf would make a very good sailor.

 18. Elf on the Shelf Builds a Plane

Our elf can likes to paint, and decided to paint a model Air Force plane. It also doubles as a surprise for the kids when they find out they get to finish the project and keep the plane.

Elf can even fly on the plane when your kids finish the model, just string it from the ceiling and have elf take flight.