<p>In looking back at this past year, I realize how important my daughter's sponsor family has become to her. It started nicely and has become a marvelous part of the experience. </p>
<p>What are some appropriate gifts for either cadets/mids or parents to give to these families as a token of appreciation?</p>
<p>When we were a sponsor, some gave us gifts and some didn't. The gifts ranged from a cookbook from his hometown, nuts from his home state, a coupon to watch our kids anytime during the summer and flowers.</p>
<p>If you are from a state that have something wonderful like smoke salmon, maple syrup or pottery that is unique those make nice gifts. If not ask your cadet what life is like in their sponsor home.</p>
<p>Our cadets all came to our home and slept mostly. We had football players, hockey players and just regular cadets. We still have contact with one who came to visit us in Alaska. As a cadet, he would take our kids to the movies and mowed our lawn in the summer. All these things were happy to to receive.</p>