[jamiet]

Now that the holidays are coming closer, I like to start planning the gifts I will give. For a few years now, we've given the 'Gift of Peace' which is peace in being prepared.
My mil/fil probably don't love our gifts (mil tends to want all the commercialism/thoughtless gifts). Last year we gave them a 10day supply of freeze-dried food. The year before, extensive car kits. The year before, an emergency home lighting kit(candles, flashlights and batteries). This year I was considering a wheat grinder and some wheat(kind of expensive).
Does anyone have any good ideas that are affordable and really good?
Jamie

 

[JUSTAMOM]

Great idea! How about a basic first aid kit?

 

[bevjean]

an emergency radio, the spiffy one with all the emergency alert channels etc...

make emergency kits just for the kids (cards, coloring books, hot wheels, granola bars) It'll give the kids something to do during the long waits, and give the parents a few minutes of peace of mind

a camp grill with a couple bottles of propane

 

[Renee-2kids]

Hand crank radio, shake flash lights.........
I'm probably going to do first aid kits this year.

 

[Valerie in WA]

Last year - when I was first setting up our BOB's - I made very basic car kits for our moms. I found thrift store backpack-style purses and put in them the very basics. Here's my list of what went in:
1st aid kit
Anti-bacterial wipes
Swiss Army knife
Large garbage bag (poncho)
Emery board
Paper & pen
Glow stick
Floss, toothbrush & paste
SFP lip balm, Regular sunscreen
TP
Power Bar
Water
Hand sanitizer
Work gloves
E- blanket
Flashlight
Tylenol
Hand warmers
Road flare

Not much, compared to what we carry, but it's a start for someone who doesn't prep themselves.

Beverly mentioned the emergency radios...I found a fun 'toy' at Walmart: it's a flashlight, strobe light, flasher, FM radio, cell phone charger and... hmmm... I think it was 6 functions... Anyway, it's charged by winding, not batteries. Thirty seconds of winding yeilds an hour of radio time. The only caveat is that you have to wind it for one minute at least every three months, so you can't just forget about it. They were under $20.

Oh, yeah! Function number six: compass.

 

[jamiet]

Thank you everyone for your ideas.
If I ever see that "toy" at Wal Mart I will buy them for everyone on my list.
I have a nice crank radio myself but I don't think anyone in my family does.
Jamie

 

[trishh]

great ideas - love them thinking i could use some of these to

 

[Goodwin17]

Great ideas. I think I'll make a couple of first aid kits. Thanks!