Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Besides the goodies and the oranges and peanuts that Santa puts in our stockings, he seems to leave items that are useful or may come in handy. Of course there are also a few toys for the younger kiddos but if your looking for some handy or useful items here are a few ideas!


Survival Bracelets/Straps

Have you seen these? They are pretty neat and useful as well as fun to wear. My hubby learned how to make these when he went up to scout camp with our boys. Each bracelet has yards of paracord which you can unravel in just over a minute, and deploy the paracord for use in literally hundreds of ways—many of which could help save a life! They come in many different styles and colors.

Hand and feet warmers are always a great stocking stuffer, we buy these by the box full and have used them for all sorts of events. But my kids love to get them in their stockings and wear them to bed that night or save them for when they go out and play in the snow. They don't cost too much and they can last up to 10 hours.

My older 2 will be getting one of these this year. Multi-Purpose Tools are great and have so many handy things on them. Most have screwdrivers, scissors, knifes, needle nose pliers, etc.. Very hand and easy to carry. I keep one in my purse and have used it often, mine even has a flashlight. These come in many different price ranges depending on what you want.

5-in-1 Survival Whistles are wonderful and we have a rule that whistles are only to be blown outside. This year everyone is getting one of these so that they can add it to their 72 hour packs. The ones I purchased have a whistle, compass, signal mirror, water proof container and flint. Again, another inexpensive idea!

One last item is a personal mini first aid kit. Everyone will also be getting these in their stockings this year. Again, there are several types you can purchase and they come in various prices. The ones I have are similar to this picture and include 12 first aid items to clean, treat and protect wounds in a reclosable carton. Includes eight assorted Band-Aids, two antiseptic wipes and two gauze pads. Perfect to also carry in a 72 hour kit.

Hope this helps, what useful items do you have for your stockings this year?

72 Hour Kits

One thing I have learned for sure is the importance of being prepared.  Now, I am not just talking about being prepared for financial disasters but on disasters in general.  Have you noticed how many "disaster" type things are going on and have been going on the last little while.  I don't think a day goes by that I don't hear about a disaster of some kind or another and it doesn't need to be a huge one either.  Right now my sister-in-law lives in New Jersey and they had a terrible snow storm go through and knocked out the power for a few days, they could barely travel anywhere because of the conditions and had hardly any food in the house, let along water.
One way we as a family decided to get prepared is to have a 72+ hour backpack put together just in case.  There are several different types you can make with several different budgets(and our was done with a budget)but basically you want to have food, water, fuel, lighting, some equipment, personal supplies, clothing and a first aid kit.  Remember you are planning for at least 3 days and that is to give you time or rescue/utilities workers time to help.
Start with a backpack of sorts, larger sizes work good for older children and adults and smaller for young children and the elderly.
Here are pictures of some of ours. This is just our food items.

 The above picture contains 3 of the following:  Oatmeal, instant breakfast drink, fruit snacks, hot chocolate, breakfast bars, trail mix, and cookies.  This also has, tuna fish and crackers, instant mac and cheese, powdered milk, gum and candy, apple cider, instant soup, 2 box drinks and canned pork and beans, chili, beef soup, green beans and pineapple.  Not including the back pack this totaled around $15.00 in price.  I usually pick up my back packs at the thrift stores, they don't have to be expensive, just durable and able to hold what your going to put in them, comfort is also a good idea!

Here is another you can do:

As you can see, there are some similar items but also a few different items such as Mountain House meals, fruit cups, pasta noodles, instant potatoes, drink mix, peanut butter cups, Ramen Noodles and SPAM.  There is also a lighter, head lamp, small cooking oven, hand sanitizer and a first aid kit with medicine.

The easiest way to decide what you need is to see what items you would use that are easy to carry and prepare.  We have traveling water filters so that would be our main water supply that we could use for drinking, cooking, etc..  You don't want you back pack to be heavy and its better to put anything that moisture could get into into zip bags.

 Another neat idea is to put your 72 hour kit in a #10 can, the only draw back to this is that its sealed which is good to keep moisture out, but you have to be able to open it(hence the little razor can opener).  Here is what the can looks like(you must have access to a sealer to seal the lid to the can) and also a list of items that are in the can and the itty bitty little razor that I don't know how to use, yet!

We have made sure that each family member has a 72 hour kit, there are many ideas available on the web.  Also, make sure you keep some money in your kits, small dollar amounts are recommended.  ATM machines may not be working and so its good to keep some money in them, also if you have kids let them pick out some FUN items to put in their bags, items such as a word search, cards, coloring book and crayons just to name a few.  Remember this is all for just in case but you never know if or when you may need them!