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.

Picking an outfit for homecoming is all about making sure you feel attractive, comfortable and confident!I am typically a pretty low-maintenance girl who takes pride in having wash-and-wear hair and getting ready to go out in 20 minutes flat. When homecoming rolls around, all of that changes.

Suddenly, I transform into a woman I hardly know who frets and throws tantrums over dresses that “are all bunchy in all the wrong places.” I fall into the traps of I-have-nothing-to-wear and I-look-awful-in-everything-I-put-on.

It is important to remember that your welcome will be a great one, no matter what you wear. Your service member misses you. Homecoming is about love and you can’t do love wrong. But I don’t think there’s anything wrong with picking out a special outfit for homecoming and doing a little extra primping for your service member. The extra effort can help show significant others they’re special.

Over the last year lots of military spouses have asked me for advice on what to wear for homecoming. I am not a fashion expert, but here are some of my suggestions, examples, ideas and tips gathered from the military homecomings I ‘ve seen.

Love it: Flirty

I always warn against overtly sexy outfits. Homecoming celebrations are public events; anyone from the commander to small children and news media could be present. Even if you have it, homecoming is not the place to flaunt it. That does not mean you have to wear a sack! You still want to feel attractive and look your best. Aim for “Flirty” instead of “Sexy.”

What if you want to run into their arms? Be practical.

Leave it: Impractical

There are lots of things to consider. Where will homecoming take place? I say an absolute no to dresses and stockings in the winter. I just won’t do it. If you’re having homecoming at a pier the wind can be very gusty so consider that when picking out a skirt. Homecoming celebrations can be delayed by several hours so make sure you can comfortably stand around in whatever you’re wearing.

Love it: Get dolled up

Consider this your free pass to get your hair done, your eyebrows waxed, new makeup, a spray tan, manicure and pedicure and whatever else! This is a special occasion. Besides, you saved all that money when your spouse was gone on personal grooming products like razors and shaving cream (Kidding, mostly).

Leave it: Over the top

Love a good patriotic color scheme!

Most homecomings are pretty casual. Dresses are appropriate, but this isn’t a ball gown occasion. Excessive jewelry, makeup and over-the-top outfits stand out in a not-so-good way. Keep it simple, classic and realistic. Don’t try too hard.

Love it: Patriotic

It’s perfectly acceptable to tap into the feeling of the day. Patriotic touches help make some of my favorite outfits.

Leave it: Camo or uniform themes

I don’t actually have any outfits in ACU patterns, and I wouldn’t recommend wearing any uniform-themed outfit to homecoming. Your spouse has spent the last (fill in the blank) number of months looking at those uniforms — the last thing he or she wants to see is more of the same on their significant other.

The exception here is for kids: The miniature uniforms are heartbreakers and adorable on  almost any child!

You can’t pull off the uniform look, but your kids can.

Love it: DIY T-shirts

I’ve noticed this much more in recent years. People will order custom T-shirts with personal messages, use iron-ons or fabric paint or even order a deployment homecoming T-shirt from an online retailer like Zazzle. It can be a fun way to express yourself and really personalize your outfit.

Be sure to check out more tips on homecoming from other military spouses in Part 1: Military Spouses Share Tips for a Successful Homecoming!

Photos courtesy of Official US Navy Imagery, Castaway Vintage, Markusram and the California National Guard

I understand how intimidating it can be to be thrown into the military lifestyle, especially if you have no previous experience with the military. You will soon find out that the military life comes with a lot, and I mean a lot, of paperwork!

So how can you get started now that you are officially a military spouse?  In order to keep track of it all, we put together a list of the most urgent items to tackle immediately after you are married!

After “I Do” there is quite a bit to do!

Getting Started

DEERS

I always tell everyone that the first thing you need to worry about is getting into DEERS. This is the very first step because you need to be in DEERS to get your military dependent ID (and you will use your ID for everything) Ask your spouse to enroll you in Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). Your spouse has to be the one to get this started!

You will need: a copy of your marriage license, and other personal identification like your driver’s license, social security cards and/or birth certificates.

In most cases you can update information in DEERS online or through the Tricare website.

Military ID Card

Once you get your military id card, don’t go anywhere without it!

Get a military identification card as soon as possible. You will need it for everything. Even kids 10 and older, will need ID cards. It will become the way you access everything in the military, base access, exchanges and commissaries, even medical care. Most military installations have an ID card facility where you can get you ID card.

You will need: Department of Defense Form 1172 (automatically generated when you are registered in DEERS), your marriage license, and other personal identification like birth certificate, driver’s license, passport, social security card, etc.

Legal Issues

Power of Attorney

I cannot stress enough how important this is, especially if your spouse is scheduled to deploy. Power of Attorney gives you authority or permission to conduct business (think legal and financial) in your spouse’s place when they are unreachable or unavailable. Military Legal Services are available on most military installations and they will help you establish power of attorney for free. You will fill out a form and they’ll prepare the legal POA document.

Sample POA request form from the Fort Leonard Wood Legal Services office.

Emergency Contact Form

Ask your service member to update his or her record of emergency data sheet. This is one of those icky ones I don’t like to talk about because I would rather not think about. This form lists who to contact and immediate directions in case of serious injury, illness or death. I hope the military never needs it, but if they do, it is very important to have filled out.

Update with your spouse’s command, DD Form 93.

Life Insurance

Life insurance is another one that I don’t even like to talk about because I know there is a very real possibility he could be killed in the line of duty. I try to just treat it for what it is though: it is always important to keep life insurance policies up to date. Have your spouse update his or her Serviceman’s Group Life Insurance (SGLI) policy beneficiaries.

More info on how to update SGLI.

Taxes

Decide if you need to change your state and federal income tax status to reflect your marital status. You can consult your tax professional or the installation’s Voluntary Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) to make sure you receive proper tax advice.

Benefit Programs

Healthcare

There are several different types of Tricare coverage but military dependents do need to enroll in Tricare separately.

To explore eligibility and services you can visit Tricare’s website.

Dental

United Concordia manages TRICARE’s dental program for family members of service members. (Because active-duty service members receive dental care through their service branches, they are not eligible.) For details, visit the TRICARE Dental site.

Housing

If you live in housing on a military installation the rent and base utilities are free. If you choose to live in private housing your spouse will receive Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) in their pay to help cover the costs. Check out the Defense BAH calculator.

If you would like to live on base you need to apply for government housing. The housing office on your military installation can put you on the waiting list for housing, usually with minimal initial paperwork. I have found that the base housing office is an excellent resource for finding private housing as well.

This certainly doesn’t cover all of the benefits you are eligible for or all of the logistics of living on or off base, but it does give you a solid place to start! Also don’t be afraid to ask your installation’s spouse and family support centers for help or guidance. They can usually point you in the right direction.

Welcome to life as a military spouse!

Photo thanks to rosemaryann , heraldpost & Maureen Lunn via Flickr Creative Commons

BAH – Basic Allowance for Housing.

BAS – Basic Allowance for Subsistence.

Chit – A request or voucher.

CO – Commanding Officer. Your beloved service member has a CO and will likely use this abbreviation.

COLA – No, not the soda. Cost of Living Allowance.

Commissary – Where military members and families can go to buy food.

Commission – Officers are given rank and authority through written orders, or commission.

CONUS – Continental United States.

DEERS – Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. You and your children (if applicable) should enroll in DEERS to determine eligibility for TRICARE (see below).

DOD – Deparment of Defense.

EM – Enlisted Member.

FCP – Family Care Program. Families prepare these working documents while the family is split due to a service member’s assignment.

FSSA – Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance. Congress put this program in place to increase a service member’s BAS so they are no longer eligible for Food Stamps.

HHG – Household Goods.

ID – Uniform Service Identification Card. Active duty members, Reservists and National Guard members get these cards, as due eligible dependents.

Leave – Service members earn 2.5 days of paid vacation days per month.

OCONUS – Outside the Continental United States.

PCS – Permanent Change of Station. Moving to a different base or station, and can mean staying in CONUS or moving overseas.

SSN – Social Security Number.

TDY or TAD – Temporary duty. Military members may be put on TDY, which means they’ll be away from their originally assigned unit for no more than 139 days.

TSP – Thrift Savings Plan. Similar to benefits found in private corporations’ 401(k) plan, TSPs offer a chance for military members to save for retirement.

TRICARE – Military health care program for eligible members and their dependents.

VA – Department of Veterans Affairs.

Getting adjusted to the military lexicon isn’t easy, but the terms will come up so much that eventually, you won’t even have to think about them.

Photo thanks to drcw via Flickr Creative Commons

To ease the transition, families should have a communication strategy prior to deployment.

Traditional Communication Methods

Traditional methods of communication should not be overlooked because of new options that are available. Letters, care packages and phone calls are still great means of communication with a deployed service member.

Letters

Service members will always appreciate letters from home. When there are extended periods without contact they often reread letters to boost morale. Sending a handwritten letter is emotionally satisfying, while still inexpensive.

Care packages

Care packages are important. to help service members feel connected with their families. During deployment they provide a small piece of home to help ease loneliness.

Here are a few content suggestions:
• Pictures
• Magazines
• Favorite Snacks
• Home Videos

New Communication Methods

With proper preparation service members may be able to use the Internet to stay connected to their families. Innovations in technology allow families to communicate in new ways.

Email

For deployed military members an email is the electronic version of the letter. Providing service members with quick and up-to-date information, email allows families to keep everyone on the same page.

Free email accounts are available through Yahoo, Google or Hotmail providers.

Instant Messaging

Instant messenger services are convenient communication tools for active duty military members. Programs like Skype, Yahoo Messenger and AOL Messenger provide users with video and voice options along with the basic messaging tools.

Service members should keep in mind that there are differences in features among the services. Families should choose the instant messaging program that best fits their needs.

Skype

Skype provides the most comprehensive service. As long as both parties have a webcam and microphone video conferencing is possible. For families with children this provides a sense of togetherness and allows them to see their parent’s face.

Skype provides many services, including:
• Instant messages
• SMS Text messages
• Video Calls
• Skype to Skype calls
• Low-cost calls to landlines and cell phones around the world
• Skype Voice Mail

Military members should check to see what options are available where they will be deployed; they may be allowed to bring a laptop or cell phone..

Defense Switched Networks

An additional option for communication is DSN (Defense Switched Networks) lines that are provided by the military. Service members that are near a base with a DSN network can call a base located close to their family. Even though conversations are usually brief, DSN lines are additional options for sustaining a connection during the challenging separation.

A Cautious Note:
Service members deploying for the first time should take careful note of Operational Security procedures when it comes to communicating with family and friends back home.

Photo thanks to FamilyMWR via Flickr Creative Commons

For a military couple, marriage not only entails the typical chore quarrel, parenting squabble and financial feud, but also a whole separate realm of anxiety, fear, and loneliness.

The military may try to compensate with bonus pay and the occasional leave, but good luck with finding ample time for romance. It’s a reality couples can’t escape, but with a military discount, it’s a bit easier to embrace. Many don’t realize how many discounts they can actually receive—there are enough to make an entire day of it! For instance…

Morning

• Phone call/Text your sweetie on your discounted phone service to tell them how excited you are for your date.
• Shower and get dressed in your new, discounted apparel from Kohls, and your sweet new kicks from Nike.
• Decide between coffee from McDonalds, Java Café or Duncan Donuts and take your car and its new tires out to get a cup of Joe for you and your honey.
• Deliver the drink and tell your date how lovely they look. Head out to the Amtrak station, get on a train and ride to a nearby city

Afternoon

• Arrive in the city and grab lunch at Sonic before heading off to the Major League Baseball game.
• Enjoy the exciting game, but don’t forget to bring your rally cap you bought from Dick’s Sporting Goods, just in case it get’s intense.
• Get your favorite meal at Applebee’s before heading to the mall for a spontaneous photo shoot to commemorate your fun at Sear’s Portrait Studio.
• Hit up some more stores before hoping on the Greyhound and heading back home

Night

• You and your sweetie arrive back, a bit exhausted from the travels. It’s a perfect time for Maggie Moo’s ice cream and a new release from Blockbuster.
• You head home, curl up in your new Ty Pennington bed-set from Kmart and end a perfect day

Okay, so maybe a resort is more your thing. There’s a discount. Perhaps the movie theatre is more plausible. There’s one for that too. Museums? Yep. Kid-friendly attractions? Of course. The military lifestyle may take its toll and have its challenges, but take charge and use it in your fight for matrimony.

Photo thanks to Lollaping via Flickr Creative Commons