Thread: desparate...please help... this is not a joke...

Hi everyone,
I don't have anyone in the armed forces (yet) but I didn't know who else could help me... See, I'm from Greece and my sister is getting married this summer with this great guy from your side of Europe. Everything is going fine -so far- except we can't find a suitable gift for his brother, who is -I'm not sure exactly, maybe, perhaps- a sergeant. He is in Afghanistan right now but since we've never met him and we have no idea about his plans, we want to get him something he will actually use and enjoy... The extended family has some crazy ideas but I thought you would be a much more reliable source.
So, what would you get for someone who is in the army, never met him but since he will be family soon, you want him to feel part of it?
Thanks in advance, Melia and Sofia.

Hi Melia,

First of all welcome to RP. Perhaps you should speak to/ email someone in his family. After all they would be better to advise you of the kind of person he is and suitable gifts for him. Not all people in the army are the same, therefore have different ideas on what is a good present.

If you are looking for things to send out to theatre then again collaborate with family to see what he is already receiving. Books magazines, shaving stuff, toothpaste, general daily items can be a welcome gift. But check the BFPO website for lists of items that you can and cannot send.

Hope this has been of help.

^^^What Schuh says.

Thanks for the suggestions, it's probably my mistake, not explaining more thoroughly... The gift is for his actual presence at the church, as a part of the groom's family. About that: we've never met Jake's father - Jake is my soon-to-be brother in law - because of an early divorce, and his mom is quite a nice lady but she suggested as a gift for my brother-in-law "something practical, like socks or a nice book". In Greece, though, a traditional gift for a family member is supposed to cost at least 700 euros: the happy couple gets a house and the more you spent for the groom's side the better. For his mother they are considering a pearl necklace or two weeks in a fancy spa or a fur coat(ughhh!) Our family is driving us crazy because they propose things like a gold watch, a tailored suit, a old handgun (our grandpa fought during the WW2 and he kept it as a souvenir), a set of leather luggage, one of those modern, super fancy, incomprehensible phones and even a small motorcycle! All very nice but can you see them as practical for someone who is living in a war zone?
Please, write back soon, thanks again!!!

Erm Hate to state the obvious. But he won't always be living in a war zone. hopefully not anyway! I am sure anything you give will be perfect.

Why don't you just ask his brother?
Also my husband lives in all different kinds pf places and that increases his desire for gadgets! Kindles, ipods, laptops not to use for the internet but to watch dvds and stuff on.
I think you are making too big a deal out of the fact that he is in the army. As Dizzy said he does live in the UK a lot of the time.
As an aside by christ i wish i'd married a greek! A house as a wedding present!!! Are you all loaded??

ST Mr D is getting a dear John now and I am off on holiday

Jake is great but the most impractical guy ever: he suggested the leather luggage set... Frankly, I think all he cares about is my sister and just can't wait. Everything else is simply not important enough!
A cool gadget sounds fine but I need some examples, like a PS3 (yeah but do they have a tv set?)
And no, we are not all loaded, just a house or apartment is pretty much a condition for a marriage to happen...

Plus, in Greece all men serve in the army, for 9 months or a year,tops. So, someone who actually fights a war is really a huge deal!

You're asking us like we know the answers to what this bloke does or doesn't own. Why don't you suggest a gadget to Jake and see iof he thinks his brother would like it. Simple. you're making this much harder than it could possibly need to be!

If you have that much to spend ask the family. You have to, every soldier is different and you don't want to spend that kind of money on someone without knowing what they would like.

Personally I quite like the idea of decent luggage, especially if posted overseas.

To be honest, a good quality leather luggage set sounds ideal. It's one of those things that men would never buy for themselves, yet will always use.

I think Jake has a really good idea there. I know my husband would be made up with that.

My hubby would be made up with a decent luggage set too - real leather weekend bag or something is about £300 on its own.
Or how about an I-pad 2 - they're really good and can fit nicely in hand luggage

I should have married a Greek man!

Thank you so much for all the answers! Luggage or one of those fancy I-pads it is! I guess we'll toss for it but you've all been so helpful! Sofia thanks you all too, hopes all your loved ones are safe and if you ever need anything concerning Greece, let us know: we will be here!