From Veteran's Day through Christmas, Celebrate Your Soldier

There's a lot to be thankful for during the holidays. The Military Channel brings you a tip or idea for celebrating your loved one each day from now through Christmas.

Check back each day while we add a tip or idea you can try this year!

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1. Do the grocery shopping for a disabled or elderly Vet, or the busy spouse or parent of an active serviceman overseas. It only takes an hour or so, but it can really help. Get a list, clip some coupons and head to a local discount grocery.

2. Send a care package or basket of goodies to the family of an active service person. Let them know that you are thinking of them and their loved one.

3. Set up or tap into a current ride sharing program to help out a vet or service family. Dropping off a busy mom's kids at school, giving a vet a ride to work, or helping a service member get to doctor's appointments can be a wonderful gift and a great way to get to know folks.

4. Organize a Turkeys for Vets program in your local area. This could be a simple donation drive set up with a nearby supermarket. Work with your Veteran's Affairs staff to identify vets and service families that should receive a turkey for the holidays, along with all the trimmings. Or, pick a vet or family and invite them to celebrate the holidays with you and yours!

5. Donate your unused or unwanted home furniture, tools, or appliances to Veterans for America.

6. Join a "welcome home" airport committee. Be the first to greet soldiers when they arrive back home from service.

7. Pack a goody bag to send overseas. Have the kids pick out gifts, treats and magazines for soldiers. 8. Fundraise for a military charity such as the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.

9. Bake a home-made apple pie to give to a service member. It's American, it's comfort food, and it's yummy!

10. Hit the arts-and-crafts department at your local discount store: buy poster board, glitter, paste, ribbon, etc..and create a large home-made card for a veteran, thanking them for their service and wishing them a happy holiday.

11. Buy a miniature Christmas Tree and decorations from your local discount store. Leave the decorated tree on the steps of a veteran's home.

12. Make "Leaves of Love." Cut out leaf patterns (you can use a real leaf or a leaf cookie cutter to make a pattern) in construction paper, and have local elementary school kids or coworkers write messages to send to the troops.

13. Host a "families of the armed forces" volunteer day at your local discount store, church or volunteer association.

14. Make a video tape to send to your loved one overseas, wishing them Happy Holidays and showing important members of the family or community giving a personal message.

15. For spouses of soldiers deployed overseas, make a romantic gift box including pictures, letters, music, and mementos that will remind him or her how important they are in your life.

16. Visit a local Veteran's Hospital and bring along home-made holiday goodies or fresh poinsettias.

17. Grab a tape recorder and interview a veteran (young or old) so you can submit their story to the Veteran's History Project.

18. Get your ladder out! Help out by decorating a service member's family home for the holidays. Hang the lights, decorate the trees, and be sure to take pictures to send to your service member.

19. Volunteer your services as a free maid or handyman for a day. Go to the home of a service member or veteran and clean their kitchens, clear out their gutters, shovel their driveways, or rake their leaves.