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SALT LAKE CITY — When a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is gone for one or two Christmases, gifts from family and friends may be a strong source of comfort.
But since living out of a suitcase doesn’t allow much room for presents, it can be difficult to think of useful and sentimental gifts for elders and sisters serving across the world.
Rather than letting Christmas shopping for your missionary become stressful, resort to this list of simple, yet convenient gifts.
Gift Cards
Just like college students, missionaries are on a tight budget. And while they may be getting along just fine eating Top Ramen, a Wal-Mart or Target gift card may provide a tasty meal or a household item they’ve been trying to live without.
Family Recipe Book
A taste of home may be as simple as sending mom’s most-loved recipes. It isn’t easy to cook for two, and with limited access to the Internet, recipes may be hard to come by. Whether it’s a legitimate cookbook or hand-written recipe cards, this gift can save time and money while reminding the missionary of home.
Clothing
There may not be room in a suitcase for an entire wardrobe, but a new skirt or tie can add color to the outfits that become monotonous over time. And since missionaries may be on their feet for a good portion of their day, new shoes can be a life saver. Check the LDS Church’s dress and grooming standards for a guide to buy your missionary new clothes.
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Letters
It may be cliche, but a bundle of letters from the whole family and a few friends may mean more than any amount of money or treats. Whether it’s news from home or an individual’s testimony of the LDS Church, missionaries crave interaction from their loved ones. Including pictures or a pre-recorded cassette tape can be a fun addition.
Food
If your missionary is serving in a foreign country, their favorite treats may be hard to come by. Traditional stocking-stuffer ideas, such as a chocolate orange, may taste better than ever. A simple condiment like peanut butter is unavailable in many countries, and a taste of America can be memorable.
Craft/Office Supplies
Missionaries meet a lot of people, make many appointments and teach several lessons. Even if mechanical pencils or post-it notes don’t seem like an exciting Christmas gift, they may come in handy when your missionary needs to jot down information. Craft supplies may also be convenient for missionaries who create explanatory handouts to give to investigators.
Picture Calendar
There are several websites, including Shutterfly and Snapfish, that allow shoppers to create custom calendars with their own family pictures. This gift can be both sentimental and useful for a busy missionary. In addition to writing down important dates and appointments, missionaries can have access to special days such as family members' birthdays and anniversaries.
