Best Christmas Presents for U.S. Marines (and Retired Marines!)

If you have someone in your family that is (or has been) in the Marine Corps you know what I am going to say. They eat, sleep, dream, and live the USMC. We always said that USMC stood for Uncle Sam's Misguided Children and for some of the Marines I knew that was a pretty close description.

It seems that the old saying that "Once a Marine, always a Marine" is very true. Well, like anyone else, Jarheads appreciate Christmas gifts... and sometimes the most appreciated gifts of all are those that give a nod to the center of their universe:

• Birdie, ball, and hook
• Chesty Puller
• and plenty of ooooooooRUH!

Following are some great ideas to get them as excited over the Christmas tree as they are over the acquisition of their first blood stripes and having their new insignia pinned on by all their friends.

Yep. Here it is. Marine Corps Monopoly. You will battle with courage and honor (and dice) to obtain some of the premier Marine Corps assets ever. The board is set up like the traditional Monopoly board but with things like:

• AV- 8B Harrier II
• Sea Knight Helicopter
• Prowler

You can choose from six pewter tokens that represent the Few and the Proud:

• Assault Amphibian Vehicle
• HMMWV
• AV-8B Harrier II
• Helmet
• Boots
• USMC Initials

Some of the things that you will find on the board are:

• Give to the USMC Birthday Ball Fund
• Own Iwo Jima
• Tanks
• Helicopters
• Divisions
• Jail (of course!)

This watch has a stainless steel strap and case. The face of the watch displays the Marine Corps emblem and the back is engraved with the motto.. Great looking watch that will look good with everything from cammies to dress blues.

• Waterproof
• Quartz movement
• Rotating bezel
• Date display

Whether it is a leather flight jacket, a sweatshirt, a tee-shirt or a pair of socks, USMC themed apparel just always seems to be a good fit for your Marine.

Anything with the emblem on it of course, but other themes are :

• Bulldogs
• Flags
• Eagles
• Anything that says Marines or USMC

There are work out clothes to make that early morning run more pleasant and even silk ties for the "I am STILL a Marine" retired Marine to wear to the office. Match the item to the lifestyle for a great gift. 

Maybe the Marine is out of the Corps but the Corps isn't out of the Marine!

There are several cds with cadences so that running is every but as exhilarating as it was in the Corps. Your Marine won't dare slow down with the D.I. 's calling cadences like:

• Listen To The Rhythm Of The Tiny, Tiny Feet  
• Here We Go -- All The Way  
• I Love Working For Uncle Sam  
• Pass To The Right And Cover Down
• Marine Corps -- Oh Yeah  
• Recon Rangers, Life Of Danger  
• Ain't No Use In Looking Back  
• I Don't Know, But I've Been Told  

Facing danger every day, doing what Marines do takes courage that goes way past what is human. This Bible is designed to speak to those who serve:to encourage, to comfort, and to give guidance to.

Any Bible is a special gift but this one is perfect. 

One of the best gifts for someone who likes to read is a book. Luckily there are hundreds of books written for, and about, Marines. From boot camp experiences on Parris Island to the Canine forces in WWII, there is a book for every level of interest.

There seem to be some that are more popular than others. History is always good, as well as anything about Drill Instructors. Marines are intensely interested in the training experiences of other Marines.

Let's face it, they all feel part of one another. Any story is going to pull them in.

Books make great gifts, and they are easy to send overseas if need be. 

Whether you are married to a Marine, the child of one, the sibling of one, or just a friend you know that there is just something different about them. Finding a Christmas gift that expresses everything you want it to express can be difficult, and finding the right gift for someone whose stuff has to fit into a pack and a footlocker can be hard. Try some of these suggestions or use them to get your own ideas flowing.

And if you are a Marine checking this out? Thanks. Really. Thanks for everything you do every single day.