Every year, we take a pause to honor a group of people who have made a lot of sacrifices. This year, Military Spouse Appreciation Day falls on May 9th, and it’s a great opportunity to shed light on the strength and love these people bring to their families and communities.

They hold everything together when duty calls, and they even manage households during long deployments, raise children solo for months at a time, pack up and move across states or countries, and offer emotional support through every uncertainty, which is done to them with love and at no cost. They also do all of this quietly, without asking for any recognition, but let’s be honest, they deserve all the recognition, too.

To celebrate the day, if you're looking for simple and meaningful ways to say thank you, here are four thoughtful activities to help you celebrate a military spouse in your life.

1. Plan a Surprise Breakfast or Dinner

Food is one of the most common ways to show them care, and starting or ending the day with such a great meal is a classic gesture that for sure would not disappoint.

If you’re a military member, it is nice to wake up a bit earlier to make breakfast for your military spouse because, from there, you can start your day with love.

If breakfast won’t work for you, you can plan a simple surprise dinner where you can light some candles, set the table, and cook one of their favorite dishes, or you can also pick it up from their favorite restaurant; there’s no shame in that!

To make it more special, you can also create a heartfelt note and have it set up on the table for them to read. Tell them something specific that you appreciate: maybe it’s how they held things together during deployment, how patient they are with your kids, or how they always keep the family grounded because these small acknowledgments go a long way and they do matter more than grand gestures and it can also help strengthen your relationship.

2. Book a Spa Day or Recreate the Experience at Home

Let’s be honest: military spouses rarely get a break because they handle work, do the parenting, and everything in between, and they often forget to take care of themselves, so giving them a day to simply relax can feel like a dream for them.

If your budget allows, book them a massage, facial, or mani-pedi at a local spa. Many communities near bases have military discounts or special appreciation deals around this time of year, so check locally.

If there’s no spa nearby, no problem. You can turn your home into a cozy relaxation zone with candles, soothing music, bath bombs, and a glass of wine or tea.

Offer to take the kids out for a few hours, so your spouse will also have peace while enjoying her spa. Believe us, it’s the perfect night for your military spouse.

3. Invite Other Military Spouses for a Gathering

We know that military life can be isolating, especially for spouses who’ve recently moved or are going through a deployment.

Building friendships with others in the same situation can be a lifeline for them, so organizing a small gathering with fellow military spouses can be such a meaningful way to celebrate.

It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, as it could be just a simple brunch at your house, a picnic at the park, a casual coffee meet-up, or a dinner, and those can be more than enough.

The point isn’t the event, because it’s the space where they feel seen, understood, and supported by others who truly “get it.”

4. Show Your Appreciation Through a Personal Letter

Sometimes the best way to express appreciation is through honest, thoughtful, and heartfelt words.

Telling a military spouse how much you admire and appreciate them can have a lasting impact because, let’s be real, we don’t often tell them, and you don’t need to be a poet or write an essay; just be really sincere in what you are writing to them.

If you’re a business or organization near a military base, you can also consider highlighting local military spouses on your platform or offering them a small gift as appreciation. Words can be a powerful way to show that we value military spouses’ contributions to military life.

Or Let Them Choose Their Day

If you’re still unsure how to celebrate, you don’t have to overthink it. You can also ask them.

Let them choose how they want to spend Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Everyone has a different idea of what “relaxing” means, and by letting them decide, you’re already giving them control.

Military life often comes with little notice and lots of last-minute changes, so giving a military spouse the chance to simply choose a day can feel like freedom.

Let’s remind ourselves that Military Spouse Appreciation Day is a day to celebrate the people who serve in their own quiet, powerful way, as military spouses also carry the emotional burdens of military life without medals or uniforms.

Military Spouse Appreciation Day is a chance for you to make your military spouse seen, valued, and loved, and sometimes, the most meaningful gifts are the ones that simply say: I see you, I appreciate you, and I’m grateful for all that you do and with those words, we’re sure that you’re going to make their day.

Read next:

• What Happens if Your Spouse Doesn't Meet the Military Height and Weight Requirements?
• School Transfers Made Easier for Military Families – Know Your Military Rights
• Military Insurance Snafus Are Putting Expectant Moms' Health Coverage at Risk

Sources:

• 10 Ways to Celebrate Military Spouse Appreciation Day with Your Special Someone