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I live in the Chicago area and my oldest son Logan is in basic training, scheduled for PIR on January 3rd. My husband will be picking him up at Great Lakes on Christmas morning, and bringing him home for the day through the Adopt-a-Sailor program. He's bringing a friend (Jarrett, from California) with him, and I'm wondering what kinds of gifts I can get the boys for Christmas. I know they can't bring anything back to basic training with them, and so far I've bought them beef jerky. lol Any ideas out there? 

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Replies to This Discussion

NEX gift cards & cash are my ideas. Something they could easily stick in their wallet. So great you are able to spend Christmas with your SR & another. I'm sure that's a great comfort to his family.

GREAT idea on the NEX gift cards. I know nothing about Jarrett's family, but am anxious to make contact with them.

I spent Thanksgiving with my son and a friend (he PIR'd on 12/13).  Tell your husband to be there by 7:30 AM and to make sure he has all the required paperwork in-hand.  He'll wait outside but will be ahead of the mob of anxious parents!  I agree with SandraG's suggestions.  Don't be surprised if they need to talk to each other more than they talk to your family (they can't talk at meals).  We met up with another recruit and family for lunch and the 3 guys could not stop talking to each other!  Also, all three wanted MEAT (steak), but were very careful about not eating too much junk food, sugar, or caffeine!  Enjoy your day!

Thanks Helen! My husband is early for everything, so I imagine he'll be among the first in line. My son has been pretty careful about what he eats since he signed for the Navy, so it won't surprise me at all if he avoids the sweets and caffeine. (I think I will have some sushi ready for him though, since it's his favorite.) :) 

Also forgot to add -- first thing we did was take pix to send to my son's friend's family!  I kept taking pix throughout the day and sending them along.  Also had two cell phones fully charged for their use all day plus my laptop.  They weren't even interested in TV, football, or anything but talking and connecting with family & friends. 

Phone cards are always nice.

Gift certificates for eating establishments - national ones not local so that they can use them later.

Stamps and stationary  - depending on how much time they have left.

 

Also, I know this sounds kind of weird but make up some pre-made postcards with check boxes on them. So that they may want to send a letter just to say they are ok but not have time to write alot.

example:

Hi ( )Mom, ( ) Dad, ( ) Sister ( ) Brother ( )Friend

I am ( )ok, ( )tired, ( )missing you ( )doing good

Can't wait to ( )See you, ( )graduate, ( )eat a home cooked meal, ( )sleep in

...

Good Luck

 

 

LOVE IT! That would be a great idea for my younger son to get his brother.

After my son's PIR, all he wanted was sushi, too!  We'll have to stay in touch.  My son is still at GL with a minor medical problem.  It might be that they will be heading to GL at the same time.  I know my son would enjoy having someone to go out for sushi with him! 

Christmas was awesome. Seeing my son was my favorite gift of all, and meeting his friend Jarrett was a bonus. He's a great guy! When it was time to bring the boys back to Great Lakes tonight Logan's brother (he's 16) started crying, and then the dam broke. We ALL cried... me, my husband, my parents, my sisters, nieces, nephews... you'd never guess we're going to see him at graduation next week. lol
When we got to Great Lakes, the recruits were EVERYWHERE being dropped off by buses and by parents... and they were all dressed in uniform ... navy coats and white scarves over their faces. It was snowing like crazy, and was an awesome sight to see. It looked like some of them were taking advantage of the remaining free time to visit the NEX and mingle before reporting. I wanted to take photos so bad, but my son reminded me that it's not allowed.

Christmas was a hit. I so appreciate the Adopt-a-Sailor program.

(I ran out of time for the postcard idea, but gift cards, cash, and beef jerky were a hit! Turns out 2-ply toilet paper was quite a hit as well. lol)

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas day!!

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