There’s never a bad time to gift someone you care about, especially when they are military veterans. A gift is an appropriate way to honor them, congratulate them on their retirement, or show gratitude for their service. There are so many options out there that it can be hard to settle on a unique gift with just the right amount of personal touch to make them feel special. Below are some of our suggestions for the best gifts for navy veterans.
Fortunately, for most veterans, it is the thought that counts; some very basic gifts can be sufficient to convey your affection without breaking the bank. It may take a bit of learning to get the balance right so that the next selection of gifts for navy veterans comes naturally.
This article features gift ideas that are both practical and sentimental. Keep reading for tips that may not have crossed your mind yet but will set you on the right path.
Practical Gifts For Navy Veterans
Best Gifts For Navy Veterans For Daily Use: US Navy 20oz Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Tumbler
This gift allows versatile application opportunities and can be used as a water bottle, coffee mug, or travel mug to carry all sorts of beverages. It makes a great gift for all demographics: men, women, young or old. It is sized to fit into your standard cup holders for added convenience. It even comes with a leak-proof lid to prevent spillage.
The mugs are made out of professional-grade stainless steel, which is tough and durable. Their back-matte finish is also long-lasting. It has been powder coated to protect it from scratches and chips. This coating keeps them sweat-free even when the ambient temperatures differ significantly from your beverages.
Their double-wall vacuum insulation prevents condensation, maintaining your beverages’ temperature for long periods.
The mugs are products of a Marine corps veteran-owned business, so your veteran recipient will be glad to be supporting one of their own. The navy logo is not screen printed but rather has been laser engraved into the steel to remain as bold as the first day. Your beloved vets can keep making that statement and displaying their Navy pride.
Best Gift For Hanging Out: BOTARO US Navy Playing Cards and Dice Set
This is a great gift for your vets to unwind post-retirement. It is packaged in an aesthetically appealing stained wooden box with a 3D metal US Navy emblem. This is reminiscent of the special assignment briefcases they would carry while in service, only packed with fun instead of work this time.
The box contains two decks of playing cards and five dice. The special cards bear the US Navy logo on their backs instead of traditional card faces. Allowing your vets to express their Navy pride while having fun with their friends and family. The cards also feature Navy rank insignia, starting from petty officer all the way to Rear Admiral.
This package is self-preserving as the wooden box helps to keep everything secure for storage and transportation. It resonates with the vet’s service life which required organization.
The Funniest Gifts: LiliWair Retirement Coffee Mugs with Funny Prints
These mugs offer a blank canvas for you to have fun with your navy veteran. They have everything from retirement timetables to funny jibes, puns, and jokes. You can choose between 11 and 15oz mugs that you can present on different occasions.
The mugs are made of high-grade white orca ceramics that are dishwasher and microwave safe. This is just as well because you don’t want to complicate their lives by getting high-maintenance gifts for a Navy veteran who is at the point in their life where they deserve to relax and unwind.
The mugs can be spruced up even more by filling them with gifts like candy, chocolates, coffee, stickers, magnets, etc. This allows you to personalize the gift further or support the funny message. They come packaged in a snug box, ready to be gifted.
They are printed on both sides in the United States with a premium full-color sublimation imprint that is vibrant and long-lasting. The printing is lead-free, making it food grade so you can gift the mugs with a clear conscience.
Best Gifts For Navy Veterans For Displaying Achievements: Three-Row Walnut Challenge Coin Holder
Military challenge coins represent the veterans’ service to their country as they are earned in the trenches. This makes them symbols of pride with a lot of sentimental value. They come in different sizes and shapes, from circles, pentagons, dog tags, and more. Veterans will jump at the possibility of displaying them on a presentable platform. This makes a challenge coin holder a thoughtful gift.
This handmade solid walnut challenge coin stand with three display rows is the perfect means to avoid misplacing the coins while displaying them proudly in an organized manner. The vet will even have a platform to display the challenge coins they earn in their new civilian life as they integrate back into society.
It holds anywhere between fourteen and nineteen coins, depending on their shapes and sizes. It is good to go straight out of the package with no assembly required. The solid walnut provides a rustic look that complements all interior decoration designs. There is even room to engrave a nameplate where the veteran’s name or unit can be captured.
The Most Artistic Gift: Military Wall Décor
This is another practical gift idea for Navy veterans, especially if they live alone after their service years. It makes their homes more welcoming and demonstrates that you appreciate their work for the country. The paintings can adorn the veteran’s living room, dining room, kitchen, bar, or office.
Many of them usually cover abstract military events or objects in serene settings to acknowledge what the veterans went through for the country. The featured painting is an old submarine in black and white, spread over five frames hung next to each other.
The picture should be printed on premium canvas to stand the test of time. The image should be high definition because it has a bearing on the final product. The best frames are easily mountable, so there isn’t too much work for the gift receiver before enjoying their gift.
To optimize the aesthetic value of this wall décor, you need to appreciate the dimensions of the walls and the theme of the house where it will be mounted. We advise that you visit your veteran’s home more often as you arrange to have it delivered.
Best Gift for Record Keeping: A Refillable, Durable Portable Journal
When shopping for gifts for a Navy veteran, it is also important to consider that they were probably accustomed to documenting their missions while in service. It helps them keep track of time and location in the trenches. Retirement presents opportunities for different kinds of adventure that they may also want to record, and they will be grateful for the facilitation.
Our featured journal by MALEDEN has a premium PU leather cover that is durable and ideal for outdoor traveling. It is a sustainable way of keeping memories intact for any military family. It is kept shut by soft but strong leather strings, so the inside is not subjected to the elements.
What makes the journal stand out is the refillable feature. One can take out pages or add pages to capture instant memories, regardless of where they are. Apart from writing, you can stick photos, add drawings or write in different scripts in whichever direction on the plain pages.
The pages are craft paper which can retain writings and drawings in the same state for ages. It is smooth and resists bleeding from all kinds of pens. Your veteran’s future generations will be able to decipher exactly what they meant. The rustic theme is boosted by retro pendants and engravings, making it look even more authentic.
Most Communal Gifts For Navy Veterans: US Navy Strong Throw Blanket
This is a versatile and functional gift whose benefits stretch beyond what is expected. The woven heirloom can be used as a throw for the couch, a bed topper, or even hung on the wall as an artistic tapestry.
Because it is woven and not printed, the spectacular image in the thread is permanent. The environmentally friendly cotton material is durable, and the blanket will last through generations. It is also a washer and dryer safe for ease of maintenance.
The other advantage of getting such gifts for a service member is how easily they become a conversation piece every time you put them out to be used. It becomes a natural point for the vets to relive their service days in the presence of their loved ones and keeps the conversation flowing.
A Gift for Affirmation: Oath of Enlistment Wood Block Sign
Veterans mustn’t forget what motivated them to serve their country and why they spent all those hours in the trenches. There is no better reminder than the oath of enlistment, which contains the oath to support and defend the constitution of the United States.
Having this aesthetically printed on wood on their desk or wall goes a long way in keeping the veterans grounded. Our featured wood block sign can be mounted on the wall using keyhole slots at the back. It is also free-standing and can be set on a desk, shelf, kitchen counter, coffee table, or any other relevant place in the home or office.
The block’s content is not restricted to the oath of enlistment, and you can customize yours with more personal messages or inspirational quotes that your veterans identify with. You just need to ensure the board is well treated so that the wood doesn’t warp, crack or break. The image should also be fade-resistant so that your veteran gift can keep inspiring them long after it is delivered.
A Gift for Special Occasions: Waterproof LED Light United States Flag Net
This gift will enable your Navy veteran to display their patriotic spirit using 420 LED lights woven into an American flag. It has versatile applications and will be great for holidays, parties, Veterans’ Day, Independence Day, Fourth of July, Christmas, and other relevant days. It also makes a great retirement gift option.
The lights come with a clear plastic frame which enables visibility from both sides. The bright LEDs are also energy efficient and durable and will keep the operation costs low, which is good because you don’t want your gift to be a burden.
Their parts have been approved by the Underwriter Laboratories (UL) for meeting safety standards, so it is not a dangerous gift for Navy veterans. The setup has an IP44 waterproof ranking which means the lights can be used for outdoor decoration even when it is raining.
How to Successfully Select Gifts for Navy Veterans
Navy veterans are a diverse lot with unique individual preferences, yet these ideas are largely general. They will get you halfway there, but you need to understand your vet to get their ultimate gift. This video by an actual vet clearly shows how diverse their preferences are. It prompted us to write the next session, which we feel is important to ensure your gifts for Navy veterans are relevant.
Give Gifts That Actually Solve Problems
Unless you know exactly what your Navy veteran wants, a simple gift that solves a problem or meets a need will be more appreciated than countless superficial gifts. The more you interact with them and their circles, the more accurately you will determine what they truly need. For instance, the playing card and dice are set to offer a great avenue for killing boredom.
Avoid Creating New Problems
The best gifts for Navy veterans are those that require the least maintenance. Don’t pick gifts that will force them to hire help or spend an arm and a leg to keep running. Make sure there is sufficient storage space if the gift is bulky and that your gifts are safe by all standards.
Listen for Cues
Sometimes we get carried away trying to prove how well we know people that we might miss it when they tell us what they actually want. Your thoughtful gift might not be received with the enthusiasm you expected if it comes in place of something that you deemed trivial, but the vet really wanted.
Consider the Recipient of the Gift
Their hobbies, personalities, how close you are to them, age, and other demographics should all come into play. Items like the LED outdoor light flag, for instance, are great for people who love hosting events but might never be used by shy introverts who don’t like the attention. An art lover will find a place for the wall décor, while a coin collector will appreciate a place to display them.
Consider the Gifting Occasion
The best gift for Navy veterans for Veterans Day might not necessarily be appropriate on their birthday or for Christmas. An American flag shows patriotism and will be excellent for Veterans Day, but a coffee mug or insulated tumbler will be more ideal if we are celebrating their birthday or if it is gifted as a retirement gift.
Make It Practical
All the items we listed above are simple gifts for a military veteran. Sometimes we get overzealous in our attempt to reward our vets that we give them gifts they cannot use. A vet with a normal income will appreciate a voucher for an affordable restaurant close to where they stay more than a pricy restaurant far away.
Have a Realistic Budget
This ultimately determines the resources directed towards this gift and sets the direction you will be looking. As much as you want to get the vet what they can’t afford for themselves, it might not always be possible.
You need to list all the above considerations in order of priority with the veteran in mind and settle on the affordable option that checks the most boxes.
Gifts For Navy Veterans – Conclusion
Shopping for Navy veterans is not an exact science because every individual is unique, and each circumstance has its unique solution. The better you know your vet, the higher the chances are that you will hit the sweet spot between your budget and their preference.
Learn to let go of your personal biases and focus on what they want and/or need, and you will be able to pick gifts for Navy veterans that they appreciate.
