One of the hardest things about having a missionary out during the holidays is wanting to send them something special… only to find out their mission doesn’t allow packages! If that’s you this year, don’t worry. There are still so many sweet, meaningful ways to help your missionary feel loved without mailing anything big or expensive (speaking from personal experience). Honestly, it’s the simple things that end up meaning the most.
Here are 10 easy, flat, missionary-approved Christmas gifts you can send in a regular envelope:
1. Family Pictures
Missionaries love seeing home. Print a few favorites, make a little collage, or even do a “year in review” sheet. It makes their apartment or planner feel a little warmer. (We recommend printing same-day at Walgreens to make everything go faster! Plus, they always have great deals on printing photos online!)
2. Printed Memes
Honestly, memes go a long way on the mission. My brother and I would always send them to each other before he left, so now I occasionally mail some funny ones I find and he loves it! Anything lighthearted that gives them a quick laugh is gold.
3. A Foldable Paper Christmas Tree
There are tons of cute printable trees online you can fold and stand up, or even better, you can order these cute ones on Amazon! It gives them a mini Christmas scene without needing an actual tree, and can be shipped in an envelope!
4. Paper Ornaments with Family Faces
This one is fun. Print little ornaments and glue family photos on them. They can tape them on the wall, foldable Christmas Tree, or pin them up as their own “tree.”
5. Handwritten Letters
Nothing beats a letter. Have siblings, roommates, grandparents, or best friends each write a short note. Those pile up fast and missionaries really treasure them.
6. A One-Page Family Update
Make a tiny “family newsletter” with highlights from the year. Think sports wins, inside jokes, new pets, funny stories, and big milestones.
7. Scripture, Stickers, or Quote Cards
Print a few inspiring quotes, stickers, scriptures, or conference lines on small cards. They fit perfectly in planners or scripture cases and are also great things missionaries can give to the people they’re teaching! Add your favorites to an envelope and you’re good to go!
8. “12 Days of Christmas” Notes
Put twelve tiny messages inside one envelope and label them 1–12. They can open one each day leading up to Christmas. (We recommend doing this as a fun twist on #5!)
9. A Testimony or Family “Spiritual Thoughts” Page
Have each family member write one simple spiritual thought or memory. One page, lots of heart.
10. A Family Recipe
Do you have a recipe you make each year during the holidays? Write it down on an index card and send it to them with a little cash to buy the ingredients! They can make it during one of their meal times and will help them have a little slice of home!
While having a missionary gone for the holidays can be hard, doing something small to show them that you’re thinking of them can make all the difference!
✨ Pro tip: A gift that they’ll cherish forever: we’ll collect your missionary’s weekly email and turn them into a beautiful, hardbound book at the end of their mission!