Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

13 Military-Themed DIY Gifts for Friends and Family

By

Before there were shopping malls, Amazon, Etsy or warehouse stores, the holidays were filled with homemade gifts designed to show those you cared about how much they meant to you.

13 Military-Themed DIY Gifts for Friends and Family

Do you make homemade gifts for your friends and family?

In that spirit and in the fact that many DIY gifts are much easier on the wallet than a midnight run to a big box store, here are 13 ideas to inspire you to get your holiday craft on – military style.

13 Military-Themed DIY Gifts for Friends and Family

Ornaments

The ideas are practically endless when it comes to ornaments. One of the cutest and easiest I have seen uses Scrabble tiles to create military service acronyms.

Top with a unit insignia or pin on rank or wings and you’ve got a great ornament for your own tree or the perfect new addition for your extended family and friends.

You can order letters in bulk from Amazon and other craft retailers. Make sure you use wood glue and don’t forget to add a note of holiday cheer and the year to the back.

Oh The Places We Have Gone – Map Art

Travel and relocation are just part of the military lifestyle. And they can make for a great gift too! If you’ve got a friend who is missing home, try mounting a cut out of their home city or state and having it framed.

A reminder of home can make being so far away feel a little less lonely.

Or try taking small cut-outs of places you know a friend has been stationed or maybe all the places you’ve been stationed together and glue them to flat glass marbles for magnets. This is the kind of gift that will let them think of you with every shopping list or school calendar they tack to the fridge.

Money Origami

Okay, so money isn’t the most personal of gifts, but if you’re gonna give it, try a little origami to make it more memorable. You can make it look like anything from an F-18 to a tank.

Stencil Anything

Military-style stencils are readily available and with a good brush, paint and a background, you can create gifts that are one of a kind. Try using the military alphabet to spell out a favorite word or someone’s last name on canvas or some reclaimed wood.

Love becomes Lima Oscar Victor Echo and a fun piece of art to hang on the wall.

Related: 9 Military Discounts for Those Who Love to Craft

Use Old Uniforms

If you’re good with a sewing machine, try turning old uniforms into teddy bears for your favorite military kid or repurpose them into an apron for a military spouse.  You could also make a tote, a quilt, a wreath or even a stocking!

Cookies

Cookies aren’t strictly military, but giving cookies is a long-standing holiday tradition. Give them a twist using fun military-themed cookie cutters like these.

If baking isn’t your thing or you are strapped for time, consider putting together some cookies-in-a-jar gifts and attaching a fun camo gift tag and tying on a military-themed cookie cutter.

Coasters

This is a great idea if you are looking to make gifts for a whole bunch of people.

Plus the process is really easy. All you need is a print-out of your unit patch or insignia, some modge podge, a sponge brush and a ceramic tile. Make sure you let them dry completely, then add a holiday note and the date to the back.

Here’s an example of how great they look when you are finished. Here are instructions on how to do it. You can also glue 4 flat glass marbles to the back and your coaster becomes a trivet for the kitchen.

Do you make homemade gifts for your friends and family members? Share your best DIY gifts in the  comments section.

9 Military Discounts for Those Who Love to Craft

By

Are you a crafty military spouse on the hunt for great military discounts? We are too and that’s why we’re sharing our favorite craft stores to shop at and which ones have military discounts.

DIY Military Spouses Can Score a Military Discount at These 9 Stores

Michaels

Simply present your military ID card at checkout and the clerk will give you a 15% military discount.

Previously, there was a special day of the week that this military discount was eligible to be used, however; they have recently changed it to a daily discount.

AC Moore

AC Moore has a 15% military discount. It is available every day and can be used on regular priced items as well as discounted items. Be ready to show your ID card at the register to receive this military discount.

A fantastic addition is that you can use their item discount coupons along with the military discount for an even better savings.

Lastly, AC Moore has a rewards program. Ask your cashier for a rewards card at the checkout. Scan it each time you shop at AC Moore and you will receive a certificate for money toward your future purchases.

9 Military Discounts for Those Who Love to Craft

Do you ask for a military discount when buying craft supplies?

Jo-Ann

Service members and their family members that have a military ID card can receive a 10% military discount that can be applied to regular, sale and clearance items. Some things are excluded from using a military discount such as classes, magazines and cutting machines.

Yankee Candle

Some crafters use candles in their projects. Yankee Candle offers a 10% discount to all active and retired service members. A military ID card is required to make the purchase in person. You can also use the military discount for purchases made online.

Overstock

Overstock does not have a specific military discount. They do however provide free Club O membership for military personnel.

With that, military spouses can get 5% reward dollars every time they make a purchase and enjoy free shipping as well as extra reward dollars. Overstock has many items for crafty military spouses. You can order cutting machines, sewing machines, scrapbooking items and more.

Lowe’s Home Improvement

It might surprise some military spouses to see Lowe’s on the list for craft supply stores. Though it is not your typical craft store, there are so many possibilities here.

Working on a craft project that requires wood? They’ll cut it down to size for you.

The super store has many items that can be used for craft projects. They have friendly staff that can take you right to the item you’re looking for as well.

They’ll even give you a 10% military discount when you check out.

Home Depot

Home Depot offers a 10% military discount. You’d be surprised how many things you can make out of non-traditional craft items here.

Home Depot even has a section of their site dedicated to craft ideas and products to use to make them if you need some ideas.

Old Time Pottery

Old Time Pottery has a vast selection of items that appeal to creative military spouses. Their prices are very low and they even offer a 10% military discount.

Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams offers a 15% military discount on paints, stains and painting supplies. There are endless possibilities for crafters here.

Feeling inspired? Head out to one of these stores and get creative. Make sure you take a picture of your project to share with us.

Do you love to take photos? Enter your favorite picture in this month’s photo contest with MilitaryShoppers. Click here to enter to win.

6 Ways to Save Your Child’s Mementos

By

Before I got married, I lived in one house my whole entire life. For over 2 decades, I only had one place to include as my most recent address.

And all of my childhood memories were safely preserved in sealed plastic containers. From my beloved Beanie Babies and artwork to physical copies of report cards and my cap and gown, it was all there.

Now, I’m a military spouse and I’m lucky if we get to stay at one address for the full 3 years. I don’t have the weight allowance to save all of my children’s precious things. What’s a military parent to do?

6 Ways to Save Your Child's Mementos

Every child is an artist and a scholar.

6 Ways to Save Your Child’s Mementos

Shadow Box

A good friend recently shared a sweet baby keepsake: shadow boxes of the first year. In her boxes, she included:

  • the baby’s coming home outfit
  • Mom and baby hospital ID tags
  • a lock of hair from baby’s first haircut
  • pictures: ultrasound, newborn, 6 months, 1 year

I wish I had seen this before I passed my babies’ very small clothing along to friends. This is a fun way to keep those first moments and milestones with you, no matter where you go. Since everything is stored together, there is less chance of one item going missing.

You could repeat this process for other milestones in your child’s life, like sports, academics or art.

DIY Lovey

Even though other babies have worn my kid’s hand-me-downs, I’ve saved a few special outfits. Like the beautiful dress that my aunt bought for my daughter and the Eric Carle jammies that my son looks so sweet in. I don’t want to give these tiny clothes away, but I know we won’t use them again.

So I’m making them into stuffed animals! To be honest, I’m outsourcing this to my very crafty sister-in-law, but if you sew it’s possible to DIY this.

I’m excited to relive beautiful memories and gift my children with something they can treasure.

Portfolios

Every child is an artist and a scholar. As your kids grow and progress through school, they will come home with tons of papers. When your child enters preschool or kindergarten, buy an artist’s portfolio with pockets. You could choose the big size, designed to hold a large sketch or painting, or select a smaller version.

Label each pocket with a grade and year. As your child brings things home, sort through and keep the most memorable items and projects. Stash the papers in the correct grade section.

When your child graduates high school or is ready to relive childhood, pass the portfolio along!

Photo Books

Take this idea beyond family photos and document your child’s work and progress every year. Just like with a portfolio, sort through the papers and projects to select the cream of the crop or most important items.

Take a picture of 3D projects, science fair presentations and your child giving speeches. Scan academic awards, beautiful artwork and other flat papers.

Upload these images and files to your favorite photo book service. Add in pictures of your child from the year too. You could include school pictures, sports teams, groups of friends or field trips.

Put everything together into one photo book for that grade (September to July/August) or year (birthday to birthday). It’s like their own personalized yearbook. You could even leave space at the end for teachers to write notes!

Growth Chart

Growing up, we had one particular doorway in our house where we recorded our height. It’s a great visual of our lives. Unfortunately, my kids don’t have one particular doorway. Instead, we have a fabric growth chart that hangs between their rooms.

After every milestone doctor’s visit, I mark their height, their age and the date on the chart. Another fun spin would be to add handprints or footprints to the chart. You could also include photos of your children on their birthdays or at milestones.

Fabric growth charts are easy to roll up and take with you! Other options are giant wooden rulers or peel and stick wall clings.

Memory Blankets

Whether it’s baby clothes, favorite childhood shirts or athletic jerseys, creating a quilt or blanket out of your child’s clothing is a great way to keep the memories without the bulk.

There are services that can make these blankets for you or you can DIY if you are crafty. Shirt or clothing blankets make great gifts and keepsakes. Make a baby blanket out of jammies and onesies from your little one’s first year. Collect all of their sports jerseys over the years and turn it into a blanket at high school or college graduation.

How do you save precious objects or mementos for your children? Share your best ideas in the comments!

5 Inexpensive Outdoor Summer Activities

By

Summer is quickly approaching and your kids will be out of school before you know it. Keep them busy with these 5 outdoor summer activities that all cost under $10. They will be thrilled and your summer spending won’t get out of hand.

5 Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids for Less Than $10

Did you know you can make your own sidewalk chalk?

5 Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids for Less Than $10

DIY Slip ‘n Slide

Kids love to be outdoors playing in the sun. As parents, we worry about keeping them from overheating. Drinking plenty of water and playing in water can help. There are many summer activities that include water. Going to the swimming pool is great, but it isn’t always a possibility.

You can put up the water sprinkler for a quick cool off but have you ever considered making a water slide in your yard?

Jennifer from Hope Studios has a wonderful DIY slip ‘n slide. In 20 minutes, you can have one set up. The kids will be excited to have fun summer activities in their own yard and you might score some cool parent points.

To get the fun going you will need:

  • heavy-duty plastic sheeting
  • landscape anchor pins
  • hammer
  • garden hose
  • baby soap (optional)

Follow these step-by-step directions and you’ll be slipping and sliding in no time. Your family will have plenty of laughs and great stories to tell after making a slip ‘n slide as part of their summer activities.

DIY Sidewalk Chalk

Making your own sidewalk chalk is a fun family project to add to your list of summer activities. Children love playing with sidewalk chalk. There are many games you can play with sidewalk chalk including: hopscotch, tic tac toe, four square and making roads to race cars on. Drawing pictures and scribbling are my 2-year-old’s favorite things to do with sidewalk chalk.

Don’t tell your kids, but this can also be educational. Using sidewalk chalk helps children work on their fine motor and gross motor skills. If you have young children, you can use this opportunity to practice colors, shapes, counting and the alphabet. Just make sure to keep it fun.

Start off with some basic supplies to make your own sidewalk chalk:

  • toilet paper rolls
  • scissors
  • Duct tape
  • a small bucket
  • waxed paper
  • ¾ cup warm water
  • 1½ cups Plaster of Paris
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons tempera paint
  • a paper bag

Follow these step-by-step directions for your own homemade sidewalk chalk. Note: It may take several days to dry the chalk before your kids can use it.

Vegetable Garden

What kid doesn’t like playing in the dirt? Some of the best summer activities involve getting dirty.

Planting a garden with your children can be a fun and rewarding family activity.

You can plant a large garden or simply plant a flower or herb in a pot.

Gardening is another one of those sneaky educational activities. Children learn responsibility from caring for the plants. They learn cause and effect, such as if you don’t water it, the plant will die. They also learn self-confidence from seeing the success of the plant growing after their hard work.

5 Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids for Less Than $10

Caring for a garden is a summer activity that keeps your kids busy for the entire summer. Do you plant a garden? What do you grow in your garden?

No matter the age of your children, everyone can play a part. A small child can dig a hole, push some soil in, drop a seed in the hole, push dirt over it or maybe even help pour water. Bigger kids can enjoy adding personality to the garden by making plant markers. Try one of these 26 unique ideas for DIY plant markers.

Begin small by buying a bag of potting soil, some seeds and a clay pot. Tomatoes, green beans and cucumber seeds are all great starter plants. Let your little ones paint or color the pots.

DIY Bird Feeders

One of my favorite summer activities is making bird feeders with peanut butter and pinecones. It’s fun to go on a hike to look for pinecones to decorate. You get a chance to get out in nature and explore with your children.

This is one of the easiest and cheapest summer activities. All you need are pinecones, peanut butter or shortening if someone has nut allergies, bird seed, a butter knife and something to hang the pine cone with such as twine or string.

Kids love covering the pinecones, choosing a place to hang the bird feeder and watching the birds. This also gives you a chance to talk about different birds that live in your neighborhood.

Old-Fashioned Sack Races

Sack races are a quick, easy and inexpensive summer activity. All you need are start and finish line markers and sacks to use in the races such as sleeping bags or pillow cases.

If you’re ambitious and like to sew, you can make your own sacks using burlap.

The start and finish lines could be masking tape, little cones, leftover birthday streamers or anything you find around the house. Let the laughs begin.

What are your children’s favorite summer activities? Tell us about them in the comments section.

10 Easy DIY Halloween Costumes

By

Halloween can sneak up quickly on military families. As the days in October fly by, don’t feel pressured to spend big bucks for elaborate store bought costumes for you and your children. You might have the makings of the perfect DIY Halloween costume already in your house. Shop the closets in your home for different items that can be put together for a cheap and clever Halloween costume. Take a quick trip to your local dollar or discount store to complete a costume by purchasing accessories that won’t break the bank.

Why spend a lot of money on costumes you might not be able to keep? Storage space (or lack of storage space) for military families is important. Especially because your kids (or even you) will most likely want to dress up as something different next year.

Here are 10 easy and cheap ways to create clever DIY Halloween costumes for less than $30 and made in less than 30 minutes for you and your family.

10 Easy DIY Halloween Costume Ideas

Shop the closets in your home to put together for a cheap and clever Halloween costume.

Witch/Wizard

For girls, pair together a black shirt and skirt or black dress and add black tights. You can also use anything that’s mostly black (and maybe even sparkly?). For boys, wear all black and use a black bedsheet folded as your cape. Head outside to find a thick stick to shave down as a wand. Swing by the dollar store to get a pointed witch or wizard hat. You can also purchase face make-up for an added effect or girls can raid mom’s makeup bag for dark lipstick and use black eyeliner to draw warts on their faces.

Angel

Wear a white shirt and white pants or white dress. Take a cardboard box (from your last PCS) and cut it out to the shape of wings. Poke 2 holes in the center for a rope. Use extra-large cotton balls and glue them onto one side of the cardboard wings to cover its entirety. Finally, use gold pipe cleaners to twist to the top of a headband and create another halo to attach together.

Pirate

For girls, wear a white shirt and red skirt (or if you have anything two-toned or striped). For boys, wear a white shirt and light-colored jeans. You can create an eye patch with black cardstock paper and use an elastic band to keep it on your head. Run to the store for a red bandana. Does the store have a red stuffed bird or parrot? Strap it on your shoulder if you find one.

Mummy

10 Easy and Cheap DIY Halloween Costumes

Are you a DIY Halloween costume guru? Share your tips to making a creative costume.

Wear all white underneath. Depending on your preference (and possibly the weather), you can use toilet paper (preferably extra strong toilet paper) or white bandages to wrap all around your body. You can get cheap bandage packages at the dollar store.

Grapes

Wear either all green or all purple. Travel to the discount store and buy packages of balloons that match your color. Blow them up and use safety pins to put them on your outfit. Are you doing a family costume? Use thick rope with about 3 feet to spare between each person to be a grapevine!

Tourist

It’s pretty likely that you’ve acquired at least 1 touristy shirt from your travels. Or maybe a Hawaii shirt? Wear your souvenir or Hawaiian shirt (why not add a lei too?!) with a straw hat and tie your camera around your neck. Do you have a fanny pack? Stick that around your waist and carry a paper map. If you’re feeling ambitious, tow a small roller luggage bag.

Ghost

Ready for an easy one? Use old white sheets and drape them over head. Cut holes where your eyes would be and voila! You’re a ghost.

10 Easy DIY Halloween Costumes

Don’t forget to enter MilitaryShoppers Halloween Photo Contest. Simply share 1 photo with MilitaryShoppers this month and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win a $100 Toys R Us e-gift card.

Pumpkin

Wear an extra large solid orange shirt. At the store, buy sheets of black felt and decorative vine rope. Outline and cut out the pumpkin’s face and glue (or you can safety pin) the felt cut-outs on the orange shirt. Use plastic bags or newspaper to make the pumpkin shape underneath the T-shirt. Wear the vine rope as a necklace.

Cat and Dog

For a cat, wear all black, orange or gray. For a dog, wear brown, black or tan. Buy felt to match your color and enough to make ears and a tail. Cut the fabric to shape the ears and glue it on an headband. Pin on the tail to your back with the remainder of the felt and make sure it’s in the right shape. Use black eyeliner to draw whiskers and pink/salmon colored lipstick for your nose.

10 Easy DIY Halloween Costumes

Children can raid mom’s makeup bag for eyeliner and lipstick to create cheap Halloween costumes.

Super Hero

Wear clothing that matches or all the same color. Use colored duct or construction tape to outline your superhero letter or number on your shirt. Does your character wear a mask? Buy a couple yards of fabric and cut out eyeholes. Or does your character wear a cape? Do the same and tie the cape around your neck.

Are you a DIY Halloween costume guru? Share your tips for creating a costume in the comments section.