ALT-1 Top Holiday Gifts for a Firefighter
Firefighters are dedicated to saving lives every day on the job. They endure the stresses that many first responders have, and their duties extend into many areas of the community. When not answering calls for emergencies, they are often involved in other selfless acts of service. It is the firefighter delivering Christmas cheer to hospitalized children, bearing gifts and handing out toys. It is the firehouse that often hosts field trips so that children can learn fire safety and prevention tips. It is the shiny fire truck with its powerful hoses and tall ladders that captures the awe of children learning the importance of “stop, drop and roll.” We can learn about selflessness and giving from the examples set forth by the firefighters. Now that the holidays are approaching, what are some unique ways to give something back to the brave firefighters?
Homemade Cards Conveys Much Cheer
You and your family can make homemade holiday cards for the firefighters at your local fire station. Express your gratitude for their service and have each person in the family write a personal message inside the card. You can even take this idea further and enlist the help of a local school. School-aged kids would be thrilled to make cards for the firemen that they admire so much. Deliver your cards in a wrapped box with a bow, and consider adding a small, personal gift such as an ornament for the fire station tree. Your expressed kindness will surely warm the heart of every firefighter in the precinct.
A Cook Book
The men and women in the firehouse are responsible for cooking meals during their shifts. Most times, they eat “family style” unless the meal is cut short due to an emergency call. Why not add to their culinary repertoire and provide a simple cookbook with easy-to-follow recipes? Crock pot recipes are a good suggestion since the meal can be easily kept warm in the likely event of an emergency call. You can add a personal message of gratitude inside the front cover such as “We thank you for your service to our community!” and have your family members each sign their name.
Pizza Gift Cards
Pizza makes a great meal for nights when nobody wants to cook. Why not extend that same convenience to the firehouse and purchase a gift card or two, from a nearby pizza store? Wrap your gift card in a small, festive box or bag and write a brief message that expresses your holiday wishes and gratitude to the dedicated firemen of your local fire station.
Greenery for Good Cheer
Many festive plants are available around the holidays and nothing says, “Happy Holidays” better than a bright red poinsettia. The poinsettia plant is actually called “flame tree”, a perfect choice for the local firehouse. Balsam wreaths or small potted evergreen trees also make good choices. You can spruce up the tree by adding inexpensive decorations such as bows, or string your own popcorn to make a garland. This will certainly bring holiday cheer to the firehouse while conveying your appreciation to the firemen for their service.
Goodies in a Jar
Assembling some delicious treat mixes in a jar will add some variety to the firehouse pantry shelves, while appealing to the sweet tooth of the dedicated fireman. Using a simple mason jar, you can layer the ingredients of a variety of delicious treats such as butterscotch chip cookies and brownies. Allrecipes.com offers some easy to assemble suggestions at,http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Desserts/Cookies/Cookie-Mix-in-a-Jar/Top.aspx.. These mixes make a convenient gift idea because the firehouse is likely to have the perishable staples (eggs, oil, or butter) on hand to complete the recipe.
Soup mixes are another great gift idea. Layer up a batch of Friendship Soup in a jar by adding ingredients such as split peas, lentils, rice, pasta and spices for a flavorful firehouse treat. The recipe for this delicious soupcan be found online athttp://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Friendship-Soup-Mix-in-a-Jar/Detail.aspx..
A Stocking Filled with Treats
A large stocking filled with candy bars, granola, dried fruit or other snacks such as microwave popcorn can be another thoughtful gift idea for the men and women of your local fire station. A deck of playing cards, or a crossword puzzle booklet tucked inside the stocking will make a nice accompaniment to the snacks. The stocking can be used as decoration for the firehouse long after the games are played and the snacks consumed.
You drive by the fire station in your neighborhood each day, and rely on it as a fixture of safety in your community. Even when the sirens are silent, you can clearly see that firefighters are busy at work washing and polishing the fire trucks and hosing out the garage. This holiday season, why not pull up to the fire station and express your gratitude with small gift of appreciation? The gift ideas shared above are just some of the many ways to show your support to the firefighters this holiday season. No doubt, your gesture of kindness will warm the hearts of the firemen who bravely keep us protected everyday.
