Give the Gift of Preparedness This Holiday Season.
This year because of your recent move, our family is putting striving for a smaller Christmas. Our gifts are centered around getting better prepared and spending little funds. We are spending more time enjoying the season and its meaning. We are also looking for ways to make our own gifts as much as possible.
We have searched high and low for practical preparedness gift ideas. Creativity counts with these gift ideas. Make tags and give instructions about the best way to use these items. This year you can Rock the Sock!
See our previous post – Prepared for Christmas: Stocking Stuffer Ideas for 10 more preparedness gift ideas.
Fire Starters – there are so many fire starters available (no a BIC lighter is not a fire starter). These can be Magnesium and flint strikers
to use as emergency tender. You can make your own fire starters by melting wax and dipping cotton balls or cutting a toilet paper tube in half and stuffing it with your dryer lint. Both of these can be stored in small metal or plastic containers.
Tea lights – you can get a big bag of Tea Lights 
for a great price on Amazon or at IKEA. This is the time of year to look for sales and stock up. Check out this video and learn to make an emergency heater with tea lights and terracotta pots. You can even cook a meal in a HERC oven using tea lights.
Waterproof Matches – storm proof is another name for them. Some experts swear that only REI’s works, but I like to make my own. I figure it doesn’t matter how great your matches are if you suck at lighting a fire and its windy, rainy, and cold. You have to have the skills along with the tools. Consider a Waterproof Match Kit with a plastic container.
Mason Jar Gifts – You can make thoughtful gifts (for a little bit of money) in Mason Jars. From sewing kits to lotion to full meals, there is bound to be something for you in the post 20 Mason jar Gift Ideas.
Water Purification – iodine or chlorine tablets or Water Purification Powder Packets
varieties are both good. If you what something more upscale there are the individual handheld UV light water purification devices (SteriPEN
) starting at about $85. The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
is easy to use and the price is reasonable at under $20.
Leatherman/Gerber Multi-tools – Once again one of the things my dad carries with him. These two brands are the cream of the crop! They are similar to a Swiss Army Knife, but not as compact, however Swiss Army Knife does have a multi tool similar to these, but it runs $100 + to get one. Leatherman Multi-Tool
carries everything from heavy duty down to key chain (my favorite and another one on my wish list). You can even get them in PINK! They range in price from $15 (keychain) to $150 (heavy duty). There’s sure to be something to please and excite both the receiver and your budget. The Gerber Compact Sport Multi-function Tool
has a range of products similar to Leatherman and appear to run about the same price range. Gerber has a life long warranty as well, if I’m not mistaken.
Camping silverware – They have some stainless steel silverware
that slide into each other and some that look like a misfit Swiss Army Knife. They range from $2-10
Mess Kit – While you could pack paper or plastic, having your own mess kit and cup really makes things easy when you are cooking outdoors. I like the stainless steel one in a bag. Some day I hope to get a Coleman Speckled Enamelware Dining Kit
Camp stove cooking – We have a camp stove in the garage and have had to use it on several occasions when the power is out. You might consider purchasing a Cube Stove and Fuel Disks
to place in your BOB’s.
Can opener – There are a variety of can openers from the kind you won’t use in your kitchen to the army issued P-38. My husband used his for years (it took several teenage scouts to finally bend it). $1-3. We also have a 4 In 1 Can Opener
in our chuck box.
Emergency/Industrial Glow sticks – Everyone loves glow sticks! Packs of 12 Industrial Grade Light Sticks 
that lasts 12 hours usually run pretty cheap $4-11.
Kikkerland 10 Function Camping Survival Tool
– 10 tools in one little metal stencil looking tool. It sports a can opener, knife edge, screwdriver, ruler, 4 position wrench, screw wrench, saw blade, 2 position wrench, key chain holder, bottle opener, and direction auxiliary indication. It even comes with a pouch. (their site has some pretty cool tools and gear, you’ll want to check them out). $3-10
Survival Kits – There are so many little survival kits that you can purchase that are pretty small and compact. There’s the “Survival in a Bottle” series, Whistle creek Survival kit in a Sardine Can, and Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Kit just to name a few. But you could easily make on your own. Go here for the low down on DIY mini survival kits.
Emergency Lighting – There are many choices to choose from and you can find quite a few at the dollar store. Headlamps are especially helpful to keep your hands free during an emergency.
Every Day Carry (EDC) Supplies – Do you have an every day carry bag? I call mine a purse! It always contains items that I might need if stranded, but I certainly don’t carry all of these items, they should be considered as a thoughtful gift for your preparing family members:
* Rite in rain notebook * Credit card knife * True Utility Cashstash Capsule * Carbiners * Survival Pocket Tool * Grimlock D Rings * Prybar with paracord * Paracord survival bracelet
These 15 categories of thoughtful preparedness gift ideas are just the beginning. Look at local retailers or order online, then make fun gift tags and give instructions for use. How will you celebrate preparedness this year?
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