If your spouse is going to be deployed during the holidays, it can feel like you have been punched in the gut. They will miss out on so much. Putting up the tree, figuring out the gifts, and taking trips to see Santa. When they are deployed, they have to miss all of that.
And you worry. You worry about their safety, but also wonder how they will enjoy the holiday. Will they be able to feel loved? Will your care package make a difference?
It is hard for everyone, but like anything else, time doesn’t stop, and you still need to figure out how you will celebrate the holidays while they are deployed.
Sure, you can ignore some of that stuff, make it simple, save the rest for later. But you can also still enjoy the holidays even if your spouse is gone. Here are 7 ideas!
1) Plan to get together with friends!
It might seem obvious, but as a military spouse, your friends are going to be able to fill in some gaps here. Plan to get together.
Have a gift exchange, get together and make cookies, and if you are all going to be in town for the holidays, spend the actual day together. It will make it so much better!
2) Go somewhere
If you can, go visit family. Can’t do that? Plan a vacation.
This will look different for everyone, depending on whether you have kids or not, what your budget is, and even how much you like to travel. But going somewhere else during the holidays can build you up, allow you to make some amazing memories, and get you out of your comfort zone.
3) Put the kid in charge
Why not let them lead your celebrations? What do they want to do? What sounds fun? If you have kids, involve them in the decorating and in how you will celebrate. You don’t have to run the whole show.
4) Volunteer
There are a lot of local organizations that need extra help during the holidays. From warming shelters to Toys for Tots. See what is out there in your community, and start signing up for things. Some are even kid-friendly.
5) Trying different traditions
With the holidays being different this year, consider trying new traditions. You might be overseas for the holidays and can embrace some of your host country’s traditions. Create new and different memories and traditions that you can share with your spouse once they return.
6) Make plans for after
They can’t be here for the holidays, but they are coming home in March? Make plans for after they return. Plan something special and something to look forward to.
It doesn’t even have to be holiday-related, but it will help you focus on that instead of the fact that they are missing Christmas or other holidays. Having fun things to look forward to can help brighten everyone’s mood.
7) It won’t always be this way
Remember that each year will be different. They won’t always miss Christmas. They won’t always be so far away. And you never know what the next year might bring.
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