(This gift guide originally appeared in the November 2026 issue of Military Officer magazine.)

Finding the perfect gift can be a mission in itself. This year’s Holiday Gift Guide has something for everyone on your list — with picks inspired by the places, people, and experiences that make uniformed service life unique.

(Note: Prices accurate at time of publication. MOAA is an Amazon Associate and earns money from qualifying purchases, with the revenue supporting MOAA Charities.)

Make It Fast Cookbook

Dinner ready in 15 minutes? Yes, please! Navy SEAL veteran spouse Caroline Chambers knows what it’s like to get dinner on the table through deployments and busy family life. Her new cookbook, Make It Fast ($24.48), is packed with quick, family-friendly recipes for nights when time — and energy — are in short supply.

Skylight Calendar

Keep PCS dates, deployments, school events, appointments, and everything in between in one place with the Skylight Calendar. The touchscreen display syncs the family’s schedules and manages chores, lists, and routines — a handy command center for busy military households. Pricing varies by size, style, and plan.

Babiators

Born on a Marine Corps base in Beaufort, S.C., Babiators (from $29.99) was inspired by military kids squinting in the sun while their aviator parents wore shades.  The company makes safe, durable sunglasses designed for kids’ adventures.

Custom Military Base Map

Turn a favorite duty station into a piece of home with a custom military installation map. Created by military spouse-owned Home Base Maps (from $26).

Combat Flip Flops

Founded by Army Rangers, Combat Flip Flops (from $54.99) turns laid-back footwear into a way to give back, supporting education and economic opportunities in communities affected by conflict.

Aviator Fuel Cocktail Checklist

Modeled after the pocket checklists carried by naval aviators, the Navy Pilot’s Cocktail Checklist ($49.99) features more than 100 recipes with a military twist. Designed to mimic an authentic cockpit checklist, it’s a fun addition to any home bar. Army and Air Force editions are also available.

R. Riveter Heirloom Handbag

Give an old uniform new life with R. Riveter’s Heirloom Collection, which transforms military uniforms, flight suits, and other meaningful materials into one-of-a-kind handcrafted bags. Incorporate patches, buttons, and other details to create a keepsake that carries a family’s military story forward. Cost varies by size and materials; MOAA Premium and Life members receive a discount based on membership level.

Pattern Ops Military Apparel

Founded by an Air Force fighter pilot, Pattern Ops (most items $55, but some items on sale for as low as $20) offers patterned shirts inspired by military aviation, along with designs celebrating fishing, golf, and other favorite pastimes. It’s a subtle way to wear your service — or hobby — on your sleeve.

Red Star Over the Pacific

For the military strategist or history buff, Red Star Over the Pacific ($19.99 Kindle, $31.13 paperback) examines China’s growing naval power and what it means for U.S. maritime strategy in Asia. Don’t miss our review in next month’s issue of Military Officer.


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Travel Globe

From duty stations overseas to unforgettable vacations, uniformed service families can mark the places that have shaped their story on this cork travel globe ($54.99, GlobeFlags.com). Add pins for every place you’ve lived, deployed, or explored.

Custom Pet Portrait

Turn a favorite photo of a beloved pet into personalized wall art with a hand-illustrated portrait from West & Willow (from $48, varies by size/product). Choose the style, background, size, and frame for a one-of-a-kind gift any pet lover will treasure.

Parks of the USA Bucket List Bottle

For families whose adventures span duty stations and road trips, this water bottle ($37.99) offers a fun way to track visits to all 63 U.S. national parks. Add a weatherproof sticker for each park you explore — and start planning the next one.

Rogue Wave Compostable Beach Toy Set

Military spouse Kate Reimann created Rogue Wave after a wave swept her kids’ plastic toys out to sea while her family was stationed in Hawaii. Her durable, plant-based beach toys ($29.99) are made for plenty of seaside adventures without leaving conventional plastic behind.

Date Night Cooking Class

Give the gift of a date night at home with a chef-led cooking class (cost varies by location). Couples can cook their way through cuisines from around the world — perfect for recreating flavors from a favorite duty station or trip.

Shop Small, Big Impact

Military spouses have long turned to entrepreneurship as a way to build careers that can move with them through PCS orders, deployments, and the unpredictability of military life.

Air Force spouse Monica Fullerton saw an opportunity to help those entrepreneurs reach more customers. In 2020, she launched Spouse-ly, an online marketplace featuring businesses owned by military spouses, veterans, servicemembers, and first responders.

Since then, Fullerton has gained national recognition for her work, earning spots on the Forbes Next 1000 and Inc.’s Female Founders 200 lists.

Today, shoppers can find everything from jewelry and apparel to home decor, food, children’s products, and personalized gifts on Spouse-ly.

Behind those products are small-business owners building careers around military life — or beginning a new chapter after leaving the service.

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If you plan to shop small this holiday season, don’t wait until the last minute.

“Many small businesses are run by one person, or a small team, and their products are often handmade, made to order, or customized,” Fullerton said. “Unlike an item pulled from a warehouse shelf, your gift may still need to be created before it can be packaged and shipped.”

Her advice: Shop early, check holiday order deadlines, and give small-business owners plenty of time to get that special gift under the tree.