Being an LDS missionary can be one of the greatest--if not most challenging--times of a young person’s life. It involves a rigid schedule, lots of studying, and daily interactions with strangers. 

These and other challenges have come more into focus with the COVID-19 outbreak. Your missionary's expectations for how and where they serve may have taken a wild turn. 

Holidays can be particularly challenging for missionaries, both serving and returned. Here are a few missionary gift ideas to get you started on finding the perfect thing to encourage your favorite LDS missionaries this holiday season.

It can be hard to know what to send missionaries, especially if they are serving in an area where letters and packages have more limitations. Art is a missionary gift that can inspire both your elder or sister and the people they are helping. Best of all, it’s easy to slip into an envelope or package.

Typically, missionaries are not able to take much with them when they move from area to area. Help your missionary make each transfer feel a little more like home with an inspirational poster that they can carry with them throughout their months of service.

Notecards make for hand missionary gifts. Whether they are leaving a nice message for those they teach or trying to comfort a companion, an inspirational card can go a long way. A thoughtful piece of art can enhance their message and will likely last longer than a sticky note. Choose from a variety of LDS artwork to stuff your missionary’s stocking or add to their care package.

While we’re on the topic of stockings, maybe you want to send something more festive in your Christmas package. Our LDS store has art in a variety of fun formats for your missionary gifts.

One of the most challenging things for many missionaries during the holidays is homesickness. Pictures of Christ can bring comfort. Better yet, Nativity artwork with a thoughtful letter can help them maintain their focus and remember the reasons that they decided to serve.

Looking for a more playful gift? Several of our popular LDS art pieces are available as puzzles. With COVID-19 keeping missionaries indoors, this could be the perfect gift for your sister or elder this year. 

It’s painful to be apart for so long, more particularly during this time of year. Sometimes keeping busy can be the best medicine. Look for missionary gifts can help your special missionary feel loved, as well as motivated.

Even with more missions moving toward electronic devices, bookmarks still come in handy. Journals, scriptures, notebooks, or any hardbound copies of Preach My Gospel always need a placeholder. Choose a special message for your missionary to see every day.

The right missionary farewell gifts can help your elder or sister feel prepared for their departure. The best presents are typically those that help a missionary stay focused on their desire to serve. A thoughtful piece of art can carry a powerful message that continues to give throughout their service. Like music, art can help to invite the spirit into a lesson or even into a missionary’s apartment. 

Even with how often a missionary transfers to different areas, they are encouraged to make their residence feel like home to help them focus. Send your missionary off with some special art pieces that will benefit both them and their companions.

This gift is a nice way to give them an entire collection of inspiring artwork. A calendar can help them keep track of important dates, as well as provide a unique new piece of art to brighten up the apartment each month.  

Minicards help missionaries to illustrate lessons, especially when teaching families with children. A mini card is also an easy thing for missionaries to leave after a visit. It can remind those they taught about how they felt or what they learned.

Believe it or not, for some missionaries returning from a mission can be more heartbreaking than leaving on one. After spending every moment serving others, it can be hard to know if more personal pursuits are enough. Often, returned missionaries need inspiration and comfort just as much as the ones that are currently serving. Find missionary gifts to help them find peace.

Keeping Christ as our focus can help us heal, regardless of what phase of life we find ourselves in. These art pieces can remind returned missionaries of their Savior’s love for them, of the joy they can feel for their service, and of the area and people they came to love.

Keeping Christ as our focus can help us heal, regardless of what phase of life we find ourselves in.

Returned missionaries need to know that God is not disappointed in them. He has not forgotten them or those they taught. They and those they served are ever in His watchful care. There are yet fulfilling goals He wants them to accomplish and enjoy. What they learned and experienced can become a strength as they move forward.   

When putting together any missionary gifts or a care packages, it helps to remember that the holiday season can also be some of the most rewarding months. It can be a time when missionaries come to deeply know their Savior and understand the gift that He brings to all of humankind. Look for items that continue to inspire and motivate them.

Which pieces of artwork were meaningful to you or a loved one during missionary service?