Souvenirs for Deployed Hubby?

[militarymama]

Hello DIS!

I'm new here and hope that I'm posting in the correct forum.

I just finished planning a trip for me and my three-year-old. It'll be our first trip to Disney without my husband. He's currently deployed and we've got quite a while to go. He's been incredibly supportive of our trip, though I know that he's feeling a little left out.

I was thinking of making a special autograph book for my husband that we'd send to him upon our return. Or maybe take a picture of my husband and take pictures of his picture with his favorite characters? Is that obnoxious? Any other ideas out there for how I could at least let my husband know that we were thinking of him during our trip?

Thanks for any input!

 

[Diznotyzed]

If you or anyone you know sews, how about making a little Beanie of your husband, and take pictures with that all over WDW. He could be in uniform, then swim suit, then Mickey t-shirt and shorts, etc. I'd bet the characters would love to have their picture taken with a beanie like this. Then you can send it to him when you get back.

 

[Mariaºoº]

While my husband was deployed to Iraq I sent him gag gifts...anything and everything that would make him laugh since they get so little over there. When he first got to Iraq he said that they gave him the sand, but not the beach so I sent him a baby wading pool, bottled water, water guns, water balloons, frisbees, margarita glasses and kool aid since they weren't allowed to have alcohol, Jimmy Buffet CD, and a singing, dancing Pink Flamingo. Everyone in his unit loved it! He also got a bike to ride all over Camp Victory North so I sent him a Walt Disney Princess bike helmet and tassles for the bike. LOL See if you can come across anything and everything at the parks that will get a laugh out of him. I'm sure he will enjoy it!

 

[Mariaºoº]

Also, I don't know if Disney still sells these or not, but they use to have hand held games...kind of like Game Boys. It's a Disney game and as you approach the attractions the games automatically download onto the system. My hubby and the unit loved the handheld games while they were deployed! They were small enough to keep on them while out on manuevers so that when they had down time they had something to get their minds off of what they were doing and dealing with.

 

[AprilLizbeth]

My husband loves snack from Disney, like the ones sold in the Main Street Confectionery. I send him a box of Mickey mints, when its not rediculously hot yet, I send him Mickey chocolate covered pretzels (he eats like 3 bags every vacation), lots of photos... I think those are mainly what I have sent DH. He is also deployed right now. I wish your family happiness and strength!

 

[yankeepenny]

send me his address and I will send a postcard from our sept trip-
and thank him from a grateful american in new england!

 

[disgram]

Send me his address and I will gladly send him a post card too. That is the least we can do for our military men and women. Our son was in Iraq and Samalia and Bosnia. People sent him alot of things and this is one way I can pay back. God Bless all the Military!!!!!

 

[familydisney]

I think that pictures of your child with characters while holding daddy's picture would be very heartwarming for him. It almost makes me tear up thinking about it.

Another idea is to do what I did today for my wife & kids who have been gone for over two weeks back in MN and SD. I downloaded their favorite music from the music thread and burned CD and overnighted it to her. That way they can listen to it on the way home to get excited about Disney in October. Another thing is to buy a packet of "Pixie Dust" and put it in your care package too! (Or if you see Fairy Godmother, she'll give you some!)

Thank you and your family for your husband's service to our country. I live near Colorado Springs and see the many GIs from FT Carson (3rd ACR) who just returned from their second tour in Iraq. I've taught my boys (7 &4) to always go up to any uniformed servicemen & women they see and thank them for protecting them and shake their hands. I think it means a lot to these brave heroes. We have lots of AF here too, with NORAD, US AF Academy, Peterson & Schreiver AF bases and they are all awesome!

 

[WDW LOVR]

First, Welcome to the Dis.

Second, I'm not very good at those type things, but third, and most importantly, THANKS to you and your husband for your service in keeping our country SAFE.

Thanks Again.

 

[PrincessParty]

I sent my DH a pin with Mickey saluting a sailor, that I had purchased from Ebay. I mailed it so that he would get it while we were in Disney World.

 

[copper0426]

Hello and welcome
I had a thought perhaps you could go to City hall in the MK and ask if they have a veteran of the day to do retreat that day and explain that you would like to do it in your deployed Veterans stead.
I am a vateran and was just chosen(from out of no where on Main st.) to perform this honor on 7/14. It was a great honor and it combined my two favorite things Patriotism and WDW. it is easy they walk you through it. You get a very special pin, a certificate and a picture. I know this would have made me burst with pride and admiration when I was deployed in the first desert storm.
I would also have enjoyed a picture of the family in our favorite spot (rose garden , Partner statue ect.) Whatever personal momento you come up with will be fine.
Just a thought
Tony

 

[militarymama]

Thank you for your thoughtful replys.

As I read them, I was beside myself. I got a little emotional while reading your words of support, appreciation, and encouragement. The postcard offers officially started the waterworks.

Then it clicked and I recognized the feeling immediately. This is the "magic" that folks are writing about all over the DIS boards.

Thank you for sharing your great ideas, your well wishes, and your support.

Now, I'm going to read your replys again and come up with a plan that will work for us. And once I have the updated address for my husband, I'll send it along.

Thanks again!

 

[aplejax76]

Pm'ed you

 

[ImagineEar]

Ditto sending me the address as well... I have a trip coming up in Sept as well and would love to say thanks in a special way!

What about taking photo's of you guys from "Around the World" and then send him the photos with a special souvieneer from the photo? For example:

How about a a pair of Mickey Ears with his name embriodered on them? They are sure to bring a chuckle for him and the guys. Then send it along with a photo of you and your child wearing yours in front of the castle so he feels like he was there. You can get them in the hat store on Main Street in the MK.

They have fridge magnets of the monorail that when you push a button it repeats all the sayings they have while onboard. How about sending one of those with a picture of you and your child in front of the monorail while it's parked at the station?

I'm sure the any of the Princesses would love to say thank you as well. If you quickly explain to them what you wish to do they will happily oblige. Perhaps with a photo of them blowing a kiss - then have them put "kiss" on a postcard and autograph it then send it with the photo. If you book the Princess Breakfast in Norway that would be a great place to collect several of these all at once. Snow White is known to be all too happy to leave her lip print where ever she goes!

 

[tmfranlk]

I have seen people have the characters hold pictures or "Hi" signs for photos before. I think the autograph book is a great idea. On the Creative DISigns forums at the bottom of the forums list there are several people with great autograph pages. Maybe you could print some of these out for the autographs and put them in an album along with the pictures to send to your DH.