Celebrating Milestones While Deployed

For military families, deployments can mean celebrating important milestones without a loved one present. Yet, these moments offer a unique opportunity to strengthen family bonds, despite the distance. Here are creative ways to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and other special occasions when a family member is deployed, emphasizing the importance of keeping traditions alive.

1. Birthdays: Virtual Parties and Care Packages

• Organize a virtual birthday party via video call. Decorate the room, have a cake, and let the deployed family member be part of the celebration.
• Send a care package with birthday treats, small gifts, and handmade cards or drawings from the kids.

2. Anniversaries: Love Letters and Shared Experiences

• Write love letters or send emails sharing your favorite memories and future plans. Receiving a heartfelt message can be incredibly moving.
• Plan a special activity to do ‘together’ even while apart. Watch the same movie simultaneously, or read the same book and discuss it.

3. Holidays: Customized Decorations and Family Traditions

• Keep holiday traditions alive. If they love certain holiday cookies, bake them. If there’s a favorite holiday movie, watch it with the family.
• Create a special decoration, like a photo ornament or a banner with messages, which can be a visual reminder of the deployed family member’s presence.

4. Children’s Milestones: Documenting and Sharing

• Record or photograph important milestones like a child's first steps or a school event and share them digitally.
• Create a scrapbook or a digital album of these moments to share upon their return.

5. Special Achievements: Celebrate Together, No Matter the Distance

• For graduations, promotions, or other achievements, celebrate virtually. Share the event through video or send a congratulatory care package.
• Plan a belated celebration for when the family member returns home. It gives everyone something wonderful to look forward to.

6. Shared Calendars: Countdowns and Anticipation

• Use shared digital calendars to count down to special days. This helps in building anticipation and keeps the deployed member in the loop.

7. Custom Videos and Playlists: Personal Touches

• Create and send custom videos or playlists for the deployed family member, whether it’s a holiday greeting, a birthday song, or just a ‘thinking of you’ message.

8. Local Support Networks: Group Celebrations

• Participate in group celebrations with other military families. It’s a great way to feel less alone and connect with others in similar situations.

Deployments are challenging, but celebrating milestones from afar can bring families closer in unexpected ways. These celebrations reinforce that distance does not diminish love and can even deepen the appreciation for those special moments shared, both near and far. Remember, every milestone celebrated is a step closer to being reunited.