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25 letter ideas

“Open when…” letters for deployment

A deployment is months of mail calls, missed holidays and calls that can’t always go through. “Open when…” letters keep a little of home with them the whole way: for the first night away, the halfway mark and the day they’re coming home.

Each idea comes with a starter letter. The parts in [brackets] are where your own memories go.

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Start a box and these ideas are waiting in it. Pick the ones you like, rewrite each letter in your own words, and add photos, a video or a gift card. Your kid opens one at a time, right on their phone. You pay only for the envelopes you send.

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Deployment

Open when it’s your first night away

The first night is the strangest. New bunk, new sounds, and everyone pretending they’re not homesick. Right now we’re probably [what you’ll be doing at home tonight], and thinking about you the whole time. Get some sleep. We are so proud of you.

Open when there’s nothing for you at mail call

Consider this your mail. News from home: [what’s new with the family, the pets and the neighbors]. We write to you more than you know. Some of it just hasn’t caught up with you yet.

Open when it’s a holiday away from home

We set a place for you at the table anyway. This year we [your family’s holiday tradition], and every one of us said your name. Wherever you are today, you’re with us. Happy holidays.

Open when you’re halfway there

Halfway! Every day from here on is a day closer to home. When you get back, the first thing we’re doing is [a plan for when they’re home]. Keep going. We’re counting with you.

Open when you’re coming home

You’re coming home! [Their favorite meal] is planned, and [something waiting for them at home] is right where you left it. See you soon. We are so proud of you, and so happy.

Open when you’re scared

Being scared doesn’t make you any less brave. Brave is being scared and doing it anyway, and you do it every day. Remember [a time they were brave]? That’s still you. We’re right here, in your pocket and in your heart.

Open when you miss the little things at home

Here’s home, in a letter: [The dog, the yard, the coffee pot, the street on a Saturday morning] It’s all right here, waiting for you, just how you left it.

Open when you need a taste of home

Treat yourself to something from home, on us. [Their favorite snack] is on the list, right? We still talk about [a family meal you all loved]. We can’t wait to cook for you again.

Gift card idea: AAFES Exchange.

Open when you got promoted

Look at you! [Their new rank or role]. We always knew [something you’ve always admired about them]. Now everyone else knows it too. We are bursting with pride.

Open when you’re bored out of your mind

Downtime is the hardest part, isn’t it? Here are [a few movies, books or shows we think you’d love]. And something to help fill the hours.

Open when you can’t call home

No signal? Here’s the call, in a letter. If you called right now, we’d tell you [what you’d want them to hear]. Call when you can. We’ll be here.

Open when you need to hear our voices

Turn the volume up. 💕 [Who’s in the video, and what they say] Play it as many times as you want.

Hard days

Open when you’re having a bad day

Some days are just heavy, and that’s okay. It doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. When I had a day like this at your age, [a time you struggled and what got you through]. Go get some fresh air, drink some water, and remember: tomorrow is a brand new page.

Open when you’re stressed out

Deep breath. In for four, hold for four, out for four. You have handled hard things before, like [a hard thing they got through]. You can handle this too, one small piece at a time. Nothing is worth losing sleep over. We love you no matter what.

Open when you feel lonely

Everyone feels lonely sometimes, even surrounded by people. Especially in a brand new place. You are such a good friend: [something kind they did for someone]. The right people will find you. In the meantime, call us. We always want to hear your voice.

Open when you can’t sleep

Put the phone down after this (okay, after this letter 😉). Remember when you were little and [a bedtime memory]? Close your eyes and picture it. Sleep tight. We’re thinking of you.

Link idea: a sleepy playlist.

Open when you’re nervous about something big

Butterflies mean you care. That’s a good thing. Whatever it is, you’ve prepared more than you think. Remember [a time they were nervous and crushed it]? Go get ’em. We’re cheering from here.

Open when you really need to talk

Call us. Any time, day or night. We mean it: 3 a.m. is fine. [Your phone numbers] There is nothing you could tell us that would make us love you less.

Family & home

Open when you miss the dog

[Dog’s name] still waits by the door at [the time they used to get home]. Here are some photos so you can see that face. The belly rubs and treats are being saved up for when you’re home.

Open when you want to see our faces

Here we are! Hope this makes you smile. [A caption or memory for the photos] We love you to the moon and back.

Big & little moments

Open when it’s your birthday

Happy birthday! The day you were born, [a memory from that day]. We’re sorry we can’t be there to embarrass you with a song. Consider yourself sung to. 🎶 Have the best day.

Gift card idea: Amazon.

Open when you need a laugh

Remember the time [a funny family story]? We still laugh about it.

Link idea: a funny family video.

Open when you had a great day

Ahh, we love to hear it! Write down what made today great so you can remember it. And call us, we want details.

Open when you need advice

The best advice I ever got: [a piece of advice that stuck with you]. You already know more than you think. Trust your gut, and when in doubt, call us.

Open when you need to know we’re proud of you

We are so proud of you. Not for any grade or accomplishment, just for who you are. One of my favorite things about you is [something you love about them]. Never forget it.

Their next big step is coming.

Start their box now, fill it at your own pace, and send it when it’s ready.

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