With the holidays sneaking up on us, and overseas shipment deadlines looming, it’s time to shore up your shopping lists. From funny to sentimental, these veteran and military spouse owned companies have everything you need to make the holidays bright for those military guys or gals on your list.
Ranger Up
If you’re looking for a quality t-shirt to celebrate a re-enlistment, promotion, or just some awesome patriotism, look no further than Ranger Up. Started by Nick Palmisciano and Tim Kennedy in 2006, they’ve been around a long time. They are unapologetically American, put what you think you can’t say out loud on their t-shirts, and live by the same ethos that was forged in their service. Truly, everyone needs at least one Ranger Up shirt in their closet.
Current favorite: My Coffee Black and My Tea in the Harbor T-Shirt
Empire Tactical Morale Patches
Sometimes you need a gag gift. Or a gift you can play off as a gag-gift. These American-made morale patches from Empire Tactical are just that. They are not for the faint of heart or easily-offended gathering. But they’re funny and will be well received by the right person.
Rollors
If you’re shopping for an outdoorsy person or someone who likes to host outdoor shindigs, consider Rollors. By combining horseshoes and bocce, this mobile game consists of rolling oversized wooden disks towards a wooden goal. Created and designed by veteran Matt Butler, Rollors now employs local veterans and helps veterans looking to take their inventions one step further. Rollors can be played individually or as a team and can be taken anywhere, including drill weekend or deployment.
Shop the full collection at Rollors products.
Curves and Combat Boots
The holidays are a great time to gift your gym friends with some new workout clothes. These leggings from veteran couple Sarah & Elijah Maine are just perfect. They were designed to bridge the gap between fashion and function by creating the highest quality premium leggings. Bonus: they have pockets.
Doctrine Man
You probably follow him on Facebook, since he covers a good bit of current events, satire, and things only service members would find interesting. But did you know Doctrine Man also has a line of products that include coffee mugs and coloring books? From the Quotable Clausewitz Mug to the Conference Call Bingo Mousepad to the Carpe Tomorrow magnet, you’ll find something for that special someone.
Shop Doctrine Man.
Stirling Soap
While we know our dads loved getting soap-on-the-rope for Christmas each year, we’ve come a little further in the soap game. Enter Stirling Soap, a veteran-owned company that got their inspiration from a whiskey-loving trip to Scotland. After discovering the artisan soap used in Scotland, this couple decided to make their own, environmentally conscious, affordable soap.
Our favorite scent may be a toss-up between Mountain Man and Sharped Dressed Man.
Shop Stirling Soap.
Bryker Hyde
Wallets may be another item considered “too practical” for holiday gifts, but sometimes they are actually on the list. The wallets from veteran-owned company Bryker Hyde are top of the line, minimalist, and equipped with RFID/NFC blocking technology. So, they’ll keep your personal information, credit cards, and cash safe and still look good in your pocket.
Shop Bryker Hyde.
Heroes Vodka
Sometimes you just need to grab a host or hostess gift and what’s better than vodka? Heroes Vodka, founded by Marine Corps veteran Travis McVey, is distilled four times from American grain and made right here in the USA. Along with distilling vodka, they give back each year to veteran organizations.
Shop Heroes Vodka.
Custom Aviation Art from Nomadic Nation
The absolutely perfect gift for the pilot on your list is this Custom Aviation Artwork from Nomadic Nation. This military spouse owned company creates some of the most stunning personalized artwork we’ve ever seen. Add phrases, call signs, and units to this aviation artwork and you’re all set with the perfect gift.
Shop Nomadic Nation.
Troopster Care Packages
When by U.S. Navy Petty Officer Chelsea Mandello got tired of opening care packages with expired items, and watching her shipmates do the same, she set out to fix it. In 2015, Mandello founded Troopster, which has made it easier for quality care packages to be sent overseas. Since then, over 6,000 care packages have been sent. This is a great way to send a gift to your battle buddy or loved one that may be deployed this holiday season.
Shop Troopster.
Doc Spartan
If you know someone who works with their hands or works out a lot, you’ll want to make sure they have some of Doc Spartan’s Combat Ready Ointment (CRO) on hand. This veteran-owned company has taken their mission one step further as they strive to use “commerce as a weapon to fight the economic and opioid battle” in their hometown of Portsmouth, Ohio. With their Triple Threat bundle of CRO, you will be the best gift giver this season.
Shop Doc Spartan.
Grant Patton
For those service members who have a fancy civilian job—you know, the kind that mandates a suit and tie, an accessory from Grant Patton is the perfect gift. Founded by a military spouse, Grant Patton has a beautiful selection of ties, socks, and even some Team RWB logoed items. Don your barbed wire tie for that next strategy meeting and show them who’s boss.
Shop Grant Patton.
High Speed Daddy Lunch Bag
The perfect lunch bag for anyone in uniform, not just dads. Created by an Army veteran and father of three, this lunch bag is high speed. It’s got MOLLE webbing on the outside, mesh side pockets, a zippered mesh pocket under the lid, and Velcro for a morale patch on the front. We also know it holds up to a 12 pack of beer or enough meal prep containers for 24-hour staff duty.
Shop HSD.
Go Ruck
When you’re in the military you understand the value of a good rucksack. CEO and Founder of GoRuck, Jason McCarthy, also understands that. After serving in the Special Forces overseas, McCarthy hit rock bottom, created the GR1, and traveled the country selling it out of his car. Gift a GoRuck to your favorite service member this season.
Shop Go Ruck.
Scout & Indiana
Matching t-shirts may be less cool when you wear a uniform every day, but when you can match your adorable child it’s well worth it. Scout & Indiana, two military kids who prompted the creation of this company by an Army spouse, has some great matching t-shirts between parents and children. We love their Bomb Like Mom and Rad Like Dad collections.
Shop Scout & Indiana.
You may have a hard time deciding which of these gifts to send to your military guy or gal this holiday season, but don’t fret. There will be several more occasions for gift-giving this year.
