The weeks between opening a mission call and saying goodbye at the MTC go by fast. There is the excitement of reading the call out loud, a farewell talk to prepare, shopping lists, and a last round of family dinners. Each of those moments is a chance to show your soon-to-be missionary how proud you are. This post focuses on LDS missionary gifts for that short window, organized by the three moments most families celebrate: the call opening, farewell Sunday, and the MTC send-off. You will also find ideas for the missionary moms and dads who are about to start counting days.
Gifts for the Mission Call Opening
Once the call is opened, you finally know where your missionary is going, and that makes personalized gifts possible. Keepsakes with the mission name or the outline of the country or state are a fun way to celebrate the news. Write down the exact mission name from the call letter so every engraving is spelled correctly.
A classic first gift is the Personalized Mission Journal, a hardcover journal with 112 lined pages and an engravable leatherette cover that can show the mission's country or state outline. Give it the night of the call and your missionary can start writing before they ever leave home. These pair well with it:
This leatherette ballpoint pen with black ink is engraved with your missionary's name and mission, in blue, teal, gray, pink, bamboo, or red. It is made for recording spiritual impressions and taking notes at zone conference, and it pairs naturally with the mission journal.
Three dainty stainless steel rings, each about 2 mm wide, personalized with your missionary's name, their mission, and a favorite scripture or saying. Each ring comes in silver, gold, or rose gold, and customers love giving this set to newly called missionaries.
For elders, our mission rings feature the mission name, the flag of the country or outline of the state, and dates of service, and a Custom Mission Pin shows the country where they will serve.
Gifts for Farewell Talk Sunday
Many missionaries speak in sacrament meeting shortly before they leave, and family and friends often gather afterward. Gifts given that day can be worn or used right away, starting with the talk itself.
A new tie is a natural gift for an elder's farewell. This 100% polyester tie has an olive branch pattern that represents the priesthood power of God, comes in boys, youth, and men's sizes, and pairs with any suit. For a harvest theme, the Faithful Harvest Tie features a subtle wheat pattern.
Engrave this silver tie bar with a custom message. Engraving ideas include the mission location, mission dates, a favorite scripture, or initials, and it is also available in gold.
Order the missionary plaque ahead
Families often want the missionary plaque ready by farewell Sunday or soon after. Since a plaque includes a photo and personalized engraving, start right after the call so you have time to gather the details. Need help with the verse? Browse 100+ mission plaque scripture ideas, and see every style in our mission plaques collection.
This hand-made 8x10 plaque displays your missionary's 3.5" x 5" picture, name, home ward, service area, mission scripture, and mission geography, in cherry finish, red alder, or solid walnut with gold or silver engraved plates. You can upload your own photo to have it printed and installed as the plaque is made.
Gifts for the MTC Send-Off
The goodbye on MTC day can be quick, and suitcases are already full. The best send-off gifts are small, practical, and easy to slip into a carry-on. Check the mission's packing guidelines first so your gift fits what your missionary actually needs.
An LDSBookstore.com exclusive made entirely of stainless steel with a leak-proof rubber seal and a silver matte finish. It is engraved with the words "Called to Serve. Onward, Ever Onward." and is designed not to leak or break.
A clear sleeve keeps the recommend safe behind a painting of the Savior on the front. It measures 4" x 3 1/4" open and folds down to 2" x 3 1/4" to fit a wallet or pocket.
This stainless steel keychain is personalized with the missionary name, mission dates, mission name, and mission scripture, with an optional back engraving of a state or country outline or a custom message. It works as a farewell gift and as a keepsake long after they return.
Shopping for a specific missionary? Our collections of gifts for elders and gifts for sister missionaries make it easy to browse. If your missionary still needs scriptures, read our guide to the best scriptures for missionaries.
Gifts for Missionary Moms and Families
The missionary is not the only one starting something new. Parents, grandparents, and siblings are about to spend 18 months or two years writing emails and waiting for weekly updates. A small gift around departure day helps them keep their missionary close.
Engraved with the mission country outline and the city where the missionary is called, this pendant can also be personalized on the back with the missionary's name or dates of service. It comes on an 18 inch curb chain in gold or silver, which makes it a sweet gift for a missionary mom.
This durable acrylic ornament is engraved for a frosted look with the mission's country or state outline, the mission name, and dates of service. It measures 3" x 3 1/4" and comes with a satin red ribbon, so the family tree can hold a reminder of their missionary each December.
A countdown calendar is another family favorite. The Scroll Sister Missionary Countdown Calendar is a 17 x 23 inch print that can be customized with the mission name, the missionary's name, and departure and return dates.
A Simple Timeline for LDS Missionary Gifts
- Right after the call opens: Order anything that needs the mission name or outline, such as journals, rings, necklaces, and the missionary plaque.
- Before farewell Sunday: Pick up ties, tie bars, and anything your missionary will want to wear or use during the talk.
- The week of departure: Wrap small carry-on gifts like an oil vial, recommend holder, or keychain, and give family keepsakes to the people staying home.
Personalized LDS missionary gifts take time to make, so leave room for production and shipping instead of ordering in the final days.
After They Leave
Once your missionary is in the field, gift-giving shifts to letters, care packages, and eventually homecoming. Our guide to missionary gifts before, during, and after the mission covers care package ideas, homecoming plaques, and more.
Shop More
Find journals, jewelry, ties, and keepsakes for every step of the journey in our full collection of LDS missionary gifts, or browse LDS gifts for every occasion.