It’s the holiday season, and Syracuse University’s D’aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) is ready to help you cross names off your list with our big end of year holiday update to our Gift Guide. This one-stop-shopping resource makes it easy for anyone to shop veteran- and military spouse-owned businesses.
We’ve collected a few standouts and favorites here to showcase the veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs with some of the most gift-worthy items in this year’s guide!
Deed Ziegler
Marine Corps Veteran
RecPak
RecPak makes ultralightweight drinkable meal replacements for adventurers in the field. Hikers, campers, explorers, climbers, soldiers, and more have relied on RecPak to fuel their adventures. Users like the calorie density, balanced macros, and mix of vitamins and minerals, and love just how small and light RecPaks are, and how they don’t require hot water to prepare.
Variety Three Pack: We recommend gifting the variety three-pack to the adventurer in your life. It comes with one of each flavor—vanilla chai, coffee, and chocolate, so they can sample RecPak’s entire suite of flavor offerings on their next excursion.
Frank Manteau
Marine Corps Veteran
MilTreats
The Marines are often jokingly referred to as crayon-eaters, which references decades of inter-service humor poking fun at the limited intellectual capacity of your average devil dog. MilTreats is the home to the first intentionally edible crayon for the Marine in your life. They also offer a variety of apparel, stickers, and accessories for the Marine in your life willing to poke fun at themselves.
Crayons Ready-to-Eat: The ultimate treat for the Marine in your life, the CRE contains six “crayons” in colors like Jarhead Red and Puddle Pirate Orange made of Belgian White Chocolate. Perfect for enlistment or re-enlistment ceremonies!
Matt Butler
Air Force Veteran
Tally Tumbler
When you’re outside playing golf, or tennis, or just a fun yard game like cornhole or bocce ball, it can be frustrating to keep track of the score. Spend less time arguing over the score and more time playing with Tally Tumbler! This innovative tumbler features rings that twist to keep score while grabbing a sip of your preferred beverage!
Yard Game Tumbler: Summer is coming to a close, but there’s still a few barbeques left before the season is over! Be the hero that stops the kids from arguing over what the score is and spend some quality time with family while enjoying your favorite beverage.
Tiffany Jones-Lewis
Navy Veteran
TJL Collection
Are you a woman over 5’9” who just can’t find fashionable clothes that fit anywhere? TJL Collection has you covered no matter if you’re lounging in, headed to work, brunch, or a night out. They have casual pants, jumpsuits, dresses and more for taller women.
Tall Wide Cuff Jeans: Is there anything harder to shop for than jeans? Tired of every pair either fitting like capris or like you got it from the men’s section? With inseams up to 39 inches, TJL Collection’s jeans will fit just like they’re supposed to. Yes, even with your legs.
Symoné Gates
Air Force Child
Sincerely, Bade
Enhance your self-care routine with Sincerely, Bade balms, lotions, candles, and bath accessories to promote deep healing and general well-being. Explore the transformative power of our handcrafted natural remedies.
Mindful Crafting Experience: Is your company looking for a team-building exercise or activities for a product launch or activation? Book a mindful crafting experience with Sincerely, Bade and your guests can go home with their own hand-made candle or bath bomb, and great memories with teammates and friends.
Jason Murff
Army Veteran
Grill Your Ass Off
If you’re grilling, you haven’t tasted flavor until you “Grill Your Ass Off” with their variety of seasonings, spices, condiments, sauces, and apparel.
The Sampler: Packed into a fun MRE-themed bag, this seasoning sampler contains six of Grill Your Ass Off’s most popular items. Introduce the grillmaster in your life to the fun, irreverent, Texas-based flavors.
Joe Quinn
Army Veteran
Feltman’s of Coney Island
While others might claim they’re “the original hot dog,” we beg to differ. The first modern American frankfurter, as well as the birth of the hot dog bun, all started in a pushcart on Coney Island in 1867 with Charles Feltman at the helm. Now you can find the original recipe and naturally-smoked flavor that started it all.
The Original Bundle: From the name behind America’s first hot dog, the Feltman’s of Coney Island Original Bundle includes three 1-lb. packs of Feltman’s original 100% natural hot dogs, and two 9oz. bottles of Feltman’s zingy Deli-Style Hot Dog Mustard made with apple cider vinegar.
Jasmine Paul
Air Force Veteran
The Wealth Playground
The Wealth Playground’s mission is to build a better financial future for youth everywhere. The Wealth Playground is dedicated to helping kids learn about money in a fun and engaging way, so they can make informed decisions about their finances throughout their lives.
A Boy, A Budget, and a Dream: In this children’s book, Kass budgets her money carefully and expects her brother Joey to do the same. But Joey spends every dollar he earns. When he realizes he hasn’t saved enough money to pay for something he’s been dreaming about, Joey must either learn to budget or risk giving up his dream.
Get Your Holiday Shopping Done Early!
In addition to the featured entrepreneurs presented above, there are hundreds more companies and products participating in our guide that could use your support. Bookmark our guide and start using it as a first-stop for your shopping needs today!
If you’re a veteran or military spouse business owner, make sure you’re listed and your information is current!