A thoughtful gift

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Yesterday was my husband’s birthday! He turned 31. And although we’ve been married nearly 4 years, and together for 7, yesterday was the first time I gave him a thoughtful, unique gift. I’ve always been a practical gift giver. Gift cards or functional/daily use types of gifts are fantastic and easy, but I’ve now seen how much more fun it is to give a thoughtful gift.

My husband was in the Air Force for about 4 years, and during that time he got some coins. Each coin represents different things/achievements. 

They used to be stored on top his dresser, before we were married, but as soon as I moved in they were pushed toward the back. And every time we would move, he would wonder where those coins were, since we never kept them in a special place. 

So, I started thinking about getting him a frame or something for the coins. And I wanted something that was unique. I searched Pinterest and came up with nothing. I searched on Etsy, and after clicking through a few pages, I came across this shop

And I saw this coin holder:


I loved it. I thought it was even better than a frame since the coins can be picked up and moved around. Plus, there is room for more if he ever wanted to get more. 

Mike, the shop owner, was fantastic to work with. His communication is great, and shipping is quick. 

I gave it to Justin last night, and he really liked it. He placed the coins in it and then placed it on our mantle. I asked him where he was going to actually keep it, and he mentioned that he might bring it to work.

That was the best answer I could have imagined! I was so happy that he liked it, and finally had a specific place to store and show off his coins. 

It was a simply low key birthday, but inspired me to be a little bit more creative with my gift giving. 

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Danielle says · 04.19.13

What a nice gift, Kate! I work at the Naval Academy and so have a drawerful of “command coins”. I keep saying I should get a way to display them but always forget about it until the next time I open the drawer. I’ll look into this one!

chocolateshoesanddebate.blogspot.com

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eatgreatbegreat says · 04.19.13

This is such a thoughtful idea! I love it! I always tend to buy practicial gifts for bdays, but it’s always nice to come up with something extra special and memorable. BTW…my husband’s name is Justin too! 🙂

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Lauren Nelson says · 04.19.13

This is such a great gift! I have been looking for something similar to put all my brother’s Army coins on so I will have to check this shop out!

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StephanieLouise says · 04.19.13

My husband is in the Air Force so this was especially touching for me. What a beautiful idea! A lovely coin display is hard to find!

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FolderPrinters.com says · 04.19.13

Thank you Kate, every year right about this time, I start thinking about what I’m going to get my Brother for his birthday. He spent 8 years in the Air Force which took him all over the globe. This would be a wonderful gift to give him. Although now that I think about it, what am I going to do for his next birthday, how am I going to top this one.

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Ginny says · 04.19.13

This is such a great idea! My brother has a few coins and is Air Force too – this is the perfect graduation gift! THANK YOU.

Ginny
http://www.moderncommonplacebook.com
recently posted: Jewelry Obsession

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There's Only One Princess, That's Why God Gave Me Boys!! says · 04.19.13

Thanks for the idea, Kate. My husband is currently a Navy Chief and has a ton of coins from different commands and people he’s worked with. It’s kinda a “thing” to trade coins, I guess. I will have to check his shop to see if he has a Navy holder. My husband would love it!

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kristinwithani says · 04.19.13

What an incredibly thoughtful gift.

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Shelly Jones says · 04.19.13

Kate, that is the perfect gift! Sometimes it is so hard to find the right way to store special things so they special things get pushed to the side. Love it!

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samdanand says · 04.19.13

Aww! I love seeing people get such well thought out gifts! And that’s always the most rewarding thing to do in my book! It looks really awesome!

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{Jessica} says · 04.19.13

My husband is in the Air Force and has collected a few coins so far, and I have been wondering about a place to keep them too! Thanks for sharing this Kate. This may be the perfect gift for my hubby!!!

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Griggs says · 04.19.13

Kate, I’ve been reading your blog daily for the past few months, but this is the first time I’ve had to comment. I can tell why I like you so much now: even though you weren’t married to your husband while he was in the Air Force you’re still a military wife! Thanks for the recommendation. My husband is also a Navy Chief (like the commenter above) and he would love a gift like this. Love reading your blog. Keep up the good (and thoughtful) work!

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hkschulte says · 04.19.13

What a great gift! Putting effort into thoughtful gifts is so hard sometimes, but well worth it when it’s something they like.

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Mallory says · 04.19.13

What a thoughtful gift Kate! Happy Birthday to your husband! Hope you both have a wonderful weekend!

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Melissa Marie Head says · 04.19.13

Oh I work at the Army Corps of Engineers and have tons of those lovely coins – that is a great way to display them! I am going to check out the site now.

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Miranda says · 04.19.13

What a beautiful gift and such a nice story. thanks for sharing. 🙂

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Kayla Gilbert says · 04.19.13

That is so neat! Happy birthday to your hubby! : )

Kayla
http://www.lovelucygirl.com

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Alma Lee says · 04.19.13

Great idea! My husband was in the Army for 8 years, and would love this for his coins too! Thanks!

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Anne says · 04.19.13

I’m so excited to see this post! I’ve been looking for a great challenge coin holder for my husband for awhile now. This is perfect!

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Eskyborn says · 04.19.13

Great idea! I was in the Air Force for 8 years and have some coins but they’re just laying around. I may have to steal this idea!

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Abigail Lane says · 04.19.13

This is such a great idea! My husband was deployed last year and came back with a sack of coins. He’d love a way of displaying them.

Thanks!!

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Perfect Procrastination says · 04.19.13

Thanks so much for sharing! My boyfriend is a retired Army WO with 20+ years of coins that aren’t properly displayed. And I’ve been looking for something a little more personalized for him than the generic coin holders he already has filled. This is a great gift!! Glad your husband loved it!!

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One Crafty Cupcake says · 04.19.13

I love this… My grandfather was a Chief in the Air Force and he has a coin holder but it’s not as nice as this… Might have to get him one.

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Smiley says · 04.19.13

What a great idea! My husband was in the Air Force for 22 years. He has a lot of memorabilia in his office, but I’ve never seen any coins. I’ll have to ask him about them.

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Annie One Can Cook! says · 04.19.13

Kate, this is wonderful!! My husband is an army vet and has several coins/pins–I never thought of doing something like this to display them! I think I may order one too! Thanks so much for sharing–love the blog 🙂

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Cat says · 04.19.13

I gave a set of coins to my dad for his birthday this year. He is also Air Force, served in Iraq, and needs to be recognized, just like your husband. I LOVE the display. Unique and simply classic. Nicely done. 🙂

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lyk says · 04.19.13

Awesome gift. So funny, my husbands birthday was yesterday and he turned 31…and we have been married four year…twinsies!
LYK

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kfish1214 says · 04.19.13

Such a good idea! My husband is in the Army and has a ton of these coins, they are just sitting in a bowl on our coffee table but I keep thinking we should do something to display them…never even thought of a coin holder like that! I’m gonna have to get one.

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Katherine's Korner says · 04.19.13

I love that! My husband is Navy and has a box full of coins that he wants to display. This will make a great Fathers Day gift!!!

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Stacey says · 04.19.13

What an awesome gift! Happy Birthday to your husband, and a big thank you to him for his service!

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Chelsea says · 04.19.13

Thanks Kate! I have been trying to find a nice coin holder for two years now, and haven’t been able to find one! These are perfect! I can’t wait to give this to my fiance for his birthday.

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Andrea says · 04.19.13

Love this idea, my brothers and father and uncles are all in the air force. this is a great gift!

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kirsti says · 04.19.13

Love this! Thoughtful gifts are awesome! My fiancé always gets practical gifts, usually involving clothes because he hates to go shopping! This year I bought him tickets to a car museum so we can spend quality time together!

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Heather says · 04.19.13

This is so cool! My sister is in the Air Force and has a bunch of coins so this would be a really neat gift for her!! Thanks for sharing and Happy belated to your hubby! 🙂

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Shelley Pridgen says · 04.19.13

I LOVE this! My husband is in the military too (almost 20 years) and this would make an AMAZING gift for him! Thank you for the awesome gift idea!

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Andrea Beenen says · 04.19.13

Would your husband be interested in a coin from law enforcement? I know a Iowa State Trooper 😉 (my husband) husband has many different coins as well. Anyway he just designed a coin for his district. I could probably get one for your husband 🙂

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Kristina says · 04.19.13

This is such a great gift! Thoughtful gifts really are the best.

Kristina does the Internets

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R2P2 says · 04.19.13

I bet this guy’s order invoices are going to explode. This is FANTASTIC! I have a brother in the Navy & another in the Coast Guard, and this is an awesome gift. Much better than another video game. LOL

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Janice says · 04.19.13

OMG Kate, you made my day. First and foremost, thanks to you hubs for his service to our country!! Second, that is EXACTLY what I need for my father, who will be retiring next year with 32 years of service. What to you get a man who has everything?? This is perfect. Again, thanks for your blog and your time, I love reading and following! 🙂

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S.R. says · 04.19.13

Thanks so much for sharing this post! My husband will be retiring from the USAF next year and this will make a great gift (if I can hold out that long). Anybody who has been in the military knows how important the coins are to the collector, as well as for keeping on the self to keep from having to buy the drink rounds! I keep one in my purse, as well. Thanks, again!

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Afam says · 04.19.13

that’s an incredible gift. More power to you!

http://www.theramblingsofamadman-afam.com/

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Stacy says · 04.19.13

This is perfect! My husband is in the Air Force as well and has a small collection started. Thanks for a great idea!!

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Lady of Style says · 04.20.13

Gorgeous and most useful gift! Thank you so much for the inspiration, Kate.
I work in the military as a civilian and it is nice seeing lot of military spouses around here; Mr C is Portuguese Air Force.

Annette
Lady of Style

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Audie Annie says · 04.20.13

Totally getting this for my husband. He’s going to OTS this summer and this would be the perfect congratulatory/welcome home present!

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Whitney says · 04.20.13

I actually have a few of these as well since I was in AFJROTC. What a neat way to display them!

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Lauren says · 04.20.13

That’s awesome! I always struggle with thinking of creative gifts to give.

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Amy's Avenue Blog! says · 04.20.13

Oh thanks for the tip! I just purchased one for john for fathers day!

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Bridget Lacey says · 04.20.13

What a perfect idea! My husband is in the Marines and over the 8 years he has acquired so many of them. Right now they are just placed in a frame where his golf ball collection is – I think i might head on over and give it to him as a gift 🙂 thanks for the link to the site.

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Alisha Nixon says · 04.21.13

Well I know what I’m getting my husband for his birthday this year! Those coins are all over our bedroom too ha! Plus since he is still in the Air Force and is “supposed” to keep one on him, this would be much better than a frame so he can grab them any time he wants! Awesome, thanks!!

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Cheryl says · 04.22.13

Thank you, thank you, thank you! My husband just retired from the Navy and has made what he calls his “I used to be in the Navy” display. The only thing we didn’t have was a holder for all of his coins. I think the Navy one will be a perfect birthday gift for him!

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Cheryl says · 04.22.13

Thank you, thank you, thank you! My husband just retired from the Navy and has made what he calls his “I used to be in the Navy” display. The only thing we didn’t have was a holder for all of his coins. I think the Navy one will be a perfect birthday gift for him!

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Bonnie Rose says · 04.22.13

This is great! My dad actually got one of these from the guys when he retired after 30+ years as an officer in the USAF. I have been wanting to get one for my husband for a long time. I meant to get one when he got into the USAF and never could find a stand I liked. He finished up his 6 years with the USAF two years ago and now all his coins just sit in a box. I might have to get one of these for his 32 birthday this year too. Thanks for the post!

Bonnie Rose | a Compass Rose

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Becky Bridgham says · 04.28.13

It is beautiful… we have a similar one we got when we were stationed overseas… my only complaint is they are a pain to dust (when I actually dust!)

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Aunie says · 04.30.13

This is wonderful! My husband is in the Air National Guard and I think he’d really appreciate a gift like this! Thank you for sharing 🙂

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John Decker says · 11.05.13

These are some great small gift ideas. Last year we got some clothes and cool cell phone cases for our daughter. She is older now so my wife is trying to find appropriate Sexy Dresses she can wear when she goes out with her friends. There are dresses that she can wear all year around so I think my wife is going to look for styles like that.

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