March means different things to different people, but for me it is forever associated with girl scout cookies! Find out your missionary’s favorite kind and send her a package — she’ll relish the treat! If you are unsure of where to purchase cookies, use this site to find stands in your area:

http://www.girlscoutcookies.org/

My brother’s favorite are the Samoas, so I’m planning to buy a few…

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

Do-it-yourself

For messages accompanying packages, or for everyday letters to your missionary, homemade stationary is a simple, inexpensive way to keep things fun. Check out the “Stationery Printables” section of this site for a few designs I put together, or do an image search on google to find a design you really love.

http://www.missionaryideas.com/stationery-printables

Candy-grams are so fun, but unfortunately, shipping a large, stiff posterboard to your missionary isn’t usually an option. By changing a few things, however, this present becomes possible again.

Last year, a family member and I made candy-grams for our cousins serving in Montreal and Romania. Here’s how we were able to ship them:

Instead of putting the candy on a posterboard, use fabric. Go to your local craft store and get a yard or so of Halloween-themed material, and then attach the candy with a hot glue gun. Use a permanent marker to write out the message on the fabric. Our missionaries loved these!

This project is very fun, but can become expensive to ship, so use discretion when planning for length and amount of candy used.

 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!

Decorate the Fridge!

Framed photos are a wonderful present for missionaries, but if you worry about desk space, magnetic frames are a convenient alternative. There are many inexpensive varieties (Walmart sells 20 for $15), and they are not difficult to find. Best of all, they are lightweight and easy to ship. Be sure to send along some cute photos, too.