1. Create A Countdown

Often times during deployment it feels like time is standing still, creating a countdown can help remind you that the days are still passing by and each day you're one step closer to your spouse's Homecoming! There are so many different types of countdowns you can create, pictured above is the countdown I made from 2 vases, a sheet of military stickers and colored flat marbles. If you have children, you could make them each a jar filled with Hershey Kisses that correspond with the number of days your spouse will be deployed, then they can each have a "Kiss A Day" until their Mommy or Daddy returns home!

2. Hidden Messages

Before my husband deployed I snuck several hidden messages and notes into his luggage, into the reminders in his phone & one into his boots that read "I will love you every step of the way". Anything you can do to remind your spouse how much you love them and that you're supporting them during their deployment will help give them tremendous relief during a very stressful time.

3. Customized Long Distance World Map

This customized long distance world map was made by PrintsInspired on Etsy.com for $25 and was one of the coolest gifts my husband and I got for one another during deployment. We actually ordered the same gift from the same company for each other for surviving 1 month of deployment, we were on Skype when we opened them and couldn't stop laughing. Keeping your spouse smiling during deployment is difficult so take pride when you are able to make it happen!

4. Create A Holiday Card Together

Although you may be apart for the Holidays, that doesn't mean that you have to do everything separately! Open gifts on Skype, send them a care package of cookies/candies, and still make your holiday card together! Making this card was so simple and made us feel like we didn't miss a year of celebrating Christmas together! Decide who is holding which word, take your photos and then crop them together! Not only did it make us feel closer than almost 7,000 miles apart, our families loved getting a Christmas card from us even though Josh was deployed!

5. "Open When" Letters

Making 52 "Open When" letters for my husband before his deployment was one of the best ideas I've ever had! He was so thankful that he had something to look forward to every single week of his deployment. And even more so that he wasn't going to totally miss every special day that whole year, he could just read the letter for that day and know that I was on the other side of the world thinking about him. Some ideas for letters topics are:

- Open Today (giving your spouse something to read on their long plane ride will most likely be very appreciated!)

- Open when you could use a pep talk (tell your spouse everything wonderful you love about them and reassure them that whatever they're going through, they will get through it).

- Open on Mother's/Father's Day (if your spouse is a parent have the kids make them a card in advance that you can send with them for their special day! If your spouse is a parent to fur-babies, make a card from them! It may seem stupid but every smile counts during deployment).

- Open on your birthday (include a birthday card from you and from any family members or friends who would like to include one as well).

- Open when your keyboard quits working during WoW (my husband is a gamer and it never failed, if he was in a raid - his wireless keyboard's batteries would die and he would have a major freak out. Random letters like this will remind your spouse how well you know them and hopefully will bring some humor to the situation and calm them).

- Open on our Anniversary (if your spouse will be deployed during your Anniversary definitely include a letter or card for that day! Remember this day will be just as hard for them to be away on as it is for you so anything you can do to help will be much appreciated!)

- Open at midnight on New Years (throw some lipstick on and kiss the letter you send so he has a kiss from you when the ball drops!)

- Open when you're on your way home (they have been looking forward to this day for their entire deployment, including a quick letter reminding them that you've been pacing around the house for the last week thinking about this day will make them smile!)