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.

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.

An Indoor Garden

Sending your sister missionary a mini-garden is easier than you might expect. You’ll want to start by picking out some colorful flower pots and purchasing a small amount of potting mix. If you can only find soil in large packages, don’t worry: this product is usually inexpensive, and you can scoop the amount you’d like into a ziplock bag for mailing. Make sure the pots are secured with bubble wrap if breakable, and include several packets of flower seeds. Be careful to choose smaller flora, especially for the more petite pots!

Build a Letter Out of Puzzle Pieces

With constant letter-writing, sometimes you’ll want to jazz up the regular routine. A puzzle-letter is a fun way to keep things interesting, and there are several ways to proceed. If you have a large family, you may prefer to order a set of blank puzzles from a place like Oriental Trading Company (24 for under $10), and let each family member make their own. Little kids will love coloring a picture for their brother or sister. You can also create puzzles out of cardstock or paper, or even a large posterboard. If you choose to make a big puzzle out of posterboard, be sure to do all writing and coloring on the back (the side that is NOT shiny), so that the ink and colors do not smear. Then, simply cut the page into pieces, put them in a small box or manila envelope, and send them on their way!