Missionary Ideas

I recently attempted to purchase some clothes for my cousin, who’s serving in Korea. After striking out at several stores, I had to return home empty handed. I thought I’d start posting clothing pieces I come across. This lovely top is from Downeast Outfitters, a definite go-to store for cute modest wardrobes. Be sure to check the specific standards for each mission before committing to anything!

Fruit snacks are another treat that can survive a long trip overseas if necessary, and there is nothing cooler than Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles when it comes to snacks for boys. This is inexpensive and very fun — definitely a winner this St. Patrick’s Day!

All you need is a post-it pad and pen, and you’ve got another Valentine’s Day treat that is inxepensive and simple. This idea can be used all year round with different paper designs and shapes, but it’s particularly perfect for February: a sticky-note heart attack is just what the love doctor ordered! Fill each sheet of the pad with a sweet message, leaving the top for the following instruction: “As you pull off each sheet, stick it to the wall!”

Get Creative!

This is a really fun idea, and you can use it multiple times over the course of a year. Just think of all the color combinations and cute messages you can come up with! The ordering process is very simple, too. Just visit the following site for directions:

http://www.mymms.com/customprint/?sc_cid=DR_LV1

A Simple Necklace Will Make Her Day!

Some Valentine’s Day gifts may seem a little obvious, but receiving a thoughtful present from a loved one is never cliche. An inexpensive heart pendant necklace is all it takes to make it Valentine’s Day all February long, and if the necklace is simple, she can wear it throughout her mission. Most importantly, she’ll feel the love coming from you!

Uplifting Music All Year Long

Though men may be difficult to shop for on Valentine’s Day, this CD by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is the perfect gift for anyone serving a mission. Filled with beautiful songs about love, this album not only fits in with a Valentine theme, but can also be enjoyed for the rest of the year.

A Variety of Shapes and Sizes

Organizational supplies, while not the most exciting present, are still a good idea when mailing a Christmas package to a missionary. I have purchased the Command brand of hooks and wall mounting supplies, and I really like them. My sister and I found several other types of hooks and hangers that our brother could easily install without damaging walls or doors. Anything to help him get organized!

It seems like it’s always harder to think of presents to ship to missionaries serving in warmer climates. My sister and I searched hard to find things for our brother (who is leaving for Honduras today). One of our ideas was a lightweight, battery-operated fan. I know that when I lived in the Dominican Republic, it was so nice to have a little breeze when trying to fall asleep — the rooms were usually sweltering. When I asked my husband if a fan would have been nice in Brazil, where he served his mission he said he would have loved it, and added that the smaller hand-fans work out very nicely, too. This is a picture of the fan we bought for my brother. I included the batteries in the photo to show the size of the fan (they are D batteries), but my sister and I decided not to send them — way too heavy! You be the judge.

 One easy project that I have done for several different missionaries is a checkbox letter. Unfamiliar with this concept? It’s simple: the goal is to create a letter that your missionary can complete and send to her friends and family – the fun part is, she can only choose answers that you have provided. Start with a list of statements (for example “The food here…”  or  ”My companion is…”), and then beneath, like a multiple choice exam, list several optional answers, and tell your missionary to check all that apply. Don’t be afraid to get creative — it makes it more fun! For instance, under the food statement, you could list options such as:    ”…is nothing like mom’s”     or     “…kills a little piece of my heart each day”    or    ”…is probably going to be my Abrahamic test while on my mission”    or     “…watches me as I eat it.”  You get the idea. Be sure to send multiple copies, so that your missionary can send them to friends as well!

You all remember these delicious desserts, right? Well what better way to celebrate summer than by sending your missionary the simple ingredients for dirt cups.

What to include:

1. Chocolate pudding mix (be sure to get instant – it’ll keep things simple)

2. Oreo cookies (try to find the six-packs for cheaper shipping)

3. Gummy-worms (spice it up with sour gummies)

There are not a whole lot of ways a person can mess up dirt cups, but perhaps you’ll want to include some instructions, just to avoid unforeseen misunderstandings. If you are unfamiliar with this recipe, the instructions are simple: Make the pudding, scoop some into a cup, crush the Oreos on top (it’s supposed to look like dirt), and then decorate with gummy worms. It’s that easy! You can send a single serving’s worth, or enough for your missionary to share with his whole apartment — a very good way to get the “in” with his friends. You’ll be the coolest girlfriend/mom/sister on the block!  :)