Holiday Gift Traditions in US-APO-FPO

The nature of gift delivery to the US Military Bases (APO/FPO addresses) in many countries can be tricky sometimes: What should one send, when should one send it? The growing number of official holidays and generous traditions in countries all over the world proves that gifts are welcome everywhere. However, it is crucial to remember that there may be subtle, but important, differences in the ways gifts are sent and received depending on one's current region. It is necessary to learn the significance of holidays and gifts across many cultures, so that when one decides to commemorate a holiday or treat a friend or family member from a different culture, they can be sure to send the appropriate and intended message. Knowing which gifts to send to the USA can be a challenge if one isn’t familiar with the holidays and how they’re celebrated.

Since its struggle for independence, the United States of America has had a strong, rich military background. From squashing its own civil war to ending the “war that would end all wars,” and to fighting the “war on terror” Americans and their military have shaped and even directed the course of world history. As such, it is no surprise that Americans have almost as many holidays honoring their military as they do religious holidays. With so many military holidays, how can one decide what kind of gift basket to send to the USA?

While it might take a history buff to keep up with all the appropriate dates and events to remember, it’s easy to remember that military holidays are, in general, about celebrating American freedom and those who have worked hard—and even died—to achieve it and maintain it. Many of these days are observed with the decoration of soldiers’ graves and with family gatherings at which family and friends feast and remember the sacrifices of lost loved ones. As a result, Flowers are the most important gifts to send on Memorial Day, Patriot Day, Veterans Day, and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day; besides decorating the resting places of those who have passed, they can also be used to honor those are serving currently, or to send sympathy to those families who are separated from their members because of current military activity. Other gifts are also acceptable on these days, especially when families are gathering together: any feast on a military holiday would also benefit from Gourmet Gifts, Tea-Coffee Gifts, Wine Gifts, or Sweets and any host would be thrilled to receive such an offering.

Such a strong military tradition, though, means that many Americans are on active duty and away from home and family during the biggest holidays of the year! However, being far away from home doesn’t mean that US soldiers and military personnel need to be left out of the festivities – quite the opposite, with giftbasketsoverseas.com anyone can make sure to send the perfect holiday greeting or gift to the special someone in the military. Holidays like New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa are perfect occasions to send all kinds of gifts including Flowers, Spa Gifts, Gourmet Baskets, Tea-Coffee Gifts, Fruit Baskets, and even Sweets.

Besides the difficulty in knowing what to send, it can also be tricky to know HOW to send your gift to friends and family in the active military at a US-APO-FPO address. Security is tight on US military bases, and there is a protocol to be observed when sending mail or presents to them. For example, depending on the location of your family member’s military base, it may be against the rules to send wine, champagne, or any other alcoholic beverage. Or it may take longer than normal for one’s gift to arrive at an APO-FPO address. Staying in touch with a professional gifting company like GiftBasketsOverseas.com will make it easy to keep up with regulations regarding mail to the military, choose an appropriate gift, and make sure it arrives in a timely fashion.

With so many opportunities to celebrate, commemorate, aggregate it can be difficult to keep up with the perfect gift for every occasion, but gift delivery to the US-APO-FPO has never been easier. Now, when you're ready to send gifts to the US-APO-FPO, GiftBasketsOverseas.com makes it easy to wade through the holiday confusion and send the gift that says just how you feel. No matter the day, no matter the hour representatives are waiting to help you send a gift to someone you love in the US-APO-FPO 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Make sure to take a look at our US-APO-FPO gift catalog where you're sure to find exactly what you're looking for no matter who you're looking for.

Presidents’ Day - Third Monday in February Originally implemented to honor George Washington—the United States’ first president and commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War—this holiday has since been expanded to honor Abraham Lincoln—The United States’ 16th president who is also credited with preserving the Union during the Civil War and ending slavery. Although the holiday was originally intended to honor these men’s dates of birth, it has never been observed on the appropriate date. Many Americans—adults and children alike—enjoy the day off from work or school on this date and take advantage of the many President’s Day Sales available at department stores and car lots. Also, since many schools close for the entire week, many families take advantage of the time to visit family or friends.

Memorial Day - Last Monday in May Formerly known as Decoration Day, this holiday was first observed in honor of the courageous Union soldiers who lost their lives during the Civil War. However, after World War I the holiday was expanded to honor all the men and women who have died in military service to the United States—those brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend their country. Many Americans remember ancestors, loved ones, and friends who have died in service or who are currently working in the military; it is a time for visiting and decorating the gravesides of lost loved ones and the entire nation observes the solemnity of the day by flying its flag at half mast. This day is also a traditional time for barbecues and feasts; many people gather together to enjoy freedom, the unofficial beginning of summer, and great food.

Patriot Day - September 11 This most recent addition to the list of American holidays has its roots in tragedy and terror. On this day, Americans mourn the deaths of over 2,000 innocent civilians and remember the terrifying events of the attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center. Flags are flown at half-mast on this day, and Americans observe a moment of silence at 8:46 AM—the time at which the first devastating crash occurred. Those who lost loved ones may go visit and decorate the gravesides of the dead, and many take the time to ponder the frightening nature of terror and what can be done to stop its spread across the entire world.

Citizenship Day - September 17 This is the day Americans set aside time to remember those who enacted the Constitution of the United States and to honor those who have become American citizens. People do not take the day off on Citizenship Day; instead the day focuses on Constitution education around the country. All federally funded schools are required, by law, to teach the history of the Constitution on this day and television stations are fond of showing Citizenship-related programming during the holiday. Those who have become citizens also hold private parties and feasts in their homes with family and friends in order to celebrate their hard-earned status.

Veterans Day - November 11 This holiday has a dual meaning to Americans; like those in other countries, Americans remember the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I, to the great relief of the entire world. However, American’s also honor all military veterans on this day, alive and dead. Any man or woman who served or is serving in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces is celebrated and admired. Most people enjoy the day off on Veterans Day, and in addition to decorating the gravesides of those who died in the line of duty, it’s generally considered a good day to visit friends and family, to share a big meal, and to appreciate being an American.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day - December 7 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is observed to honor those who died during the December 7, 1941 attack on the US Military base at Pearl Harbor, HI. Thousands of people died during the unannounced strike, and the debacle ultimately resulted in the United States’ entrance into World War II. Considered the first “terrorist” attack on American soil, it was long considered that no one would dare attack US shores again—this assumption was proven wrong during the September 11 attacks. Now, Americans observe this holiday with a moment of silence for the civilians and military personnel who perished, by decorating the grave sites of those who passed during WWII, and spending time with family and friends.