Missionary Ideas » Anytime

Customized Map Print from Lily Gene

meganolsen — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:25:06 +0000

If you’re looking for a more personal gift for your missionary, check out Lily Gene on Etsy. She does these cute prints of special places, and can even add little details like a postage ink-stamp of a particularly important date. It’s all totally customizable! With all the options she offers, there are several fun things you could do. Either send the missionary a map of the country or state where he’s serving (what a great idea for a farewell or homecoming gift!), or send a print of his home state / country. Lily Gene also has a “someone in _____ loves you” custom postcard and other ideas. Lily Gene was featured in this month’s InStyle, so check out the shop before things get backed up! I can’t stop thinking about what a cute idea this is, not only for missionaries, but anyone!

Time Capsule

meganolsen — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:24:04 +0000

This could work as a New Year’s care package, a one-year package, or a send-off gift. I made my time capsule in about 3 minutes with an empty food canister, scissors, glue, and paper. The steps are so simple, it’s not worth explaining. Just check out the pictures below:

Include a kit to help your missionary make his time capsule. I printed out a few “prompts” with phrases like, “Resolutions I have for this year include…” and “Currently, my favorite place to eat is…” and “Three predictions I have for this year are…”

You can check out more suggestions at Thrilled By The Thought.

Pretty Tops for St. Patty’s & Spring

meganolsen — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 20:40:39 +0000

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!

Burt’s Bees: Spring Care Package Ideas

meganolsen — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 08:54:22 +0000

Lip balm, you say?

First of all, it’s not just any lip balm, it’s Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm. This is a product suitable for men AND women, don’t worry. Plus, there are a ton of different skin care products to try, and they are all quality.

(And don’t bees make a cute addition to any Spring-themed care package?)

Check out the Men’s section of the Burt’s Bees website, or head to amazon for a Head to Toe Starter Kit.

Annie’s Organic Pasta

meganolsen — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 04:30:37 +0000

See the bunny on the front of this box? His official title is “Rabbit of Approval,” but long-time Annie’s customers know him affectionately as “Bernie.”

My hubby LOVES their Shells & White Cheddar, so I sent him several boxes of this on his mission. (The picture shows a family-size, but individual-serving boxes are smaller and lighter.)

It occurred to me recently that Annie’s products are perfect for Easter packages — Bernie shows up on nearly all of their awesome organic treats.

Check out an independent user-rating on blogger Creative Carissa’s site — complete with Bunny Tail decoration the pasta boxes have become so famous for!

General Conference Audio CDs

meganolsen — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:09:53 +0000

For missionaries serving in a foreign country, audio-translations from General Conference are a cool idea. I first learned about this when one of my cousins requested some LDS material that would help her with the new language.

You can easily burn a CD of General Conference talks that have been translated into other languages, and this is a great way to help your missionary with the language he is trying to learn.

For instructions on how to do this, click here: CD Instructions

*Note: these instructions are for a Mac (that’s what I use), so it’ll be a little different if you’re using a PC.

“Beautiful Savior” (arranged by Tom Fettke)

meganolsen — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:19:55 +0000

My cousin has a beautiful singing voice, so while she was on her mission, we sent her several arrangements to sing as musical numbers in her ward. One of my favorites is Tom Fettke’s “Beautiful Savior.” You can purchase a copy of the sheet music here.

The music is drafted as a choral piece, but in my family we’ve used it as a solo or duet piece several times. I know it works comfortably in a woman’s range, but I’m not sure about a man’s range.

Consider the Lilies

meganolsen — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:19:15 +0000

I just love this album, and it makes a wonderful gift for Easter. You can purchase it at the following site:

Consider the Lilies

Go Green with Fun Fruit Snacks

meganolsen — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:02:21 +0000

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!

From the Heart

meganolsen — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:42:16 +0000

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!”