Christmas Preps??

bee · #1 12/01/10, 11:55 AM

I am working on my Christmas goodies to give and thought I'd ask/share favorites bought/planned for this year.

I just bought a 50lb box of the Fatwood to breakdown to smaller amounts for prep gifts(some of my family and friends are "fire starting challenged!!").

Soooo, how about it? 'Tis the season!

Ohio dreamer · #2 12/01/10, 12:36 PM

I knit everyone hats this year.

DH is getting a weather radio.

I was making the kids slippers, but since they caught me do it I'm just handing them over instead putting them in their stockings like I planed. Making them slippers makes me feel less guilty about keeping the heat so low.

mpillow · #3 12/01/10, 02:06 PM

I haven't done any knitting crocheting this year and less reading than normal....more canning, foraging, farming...

Daughter is making bunches of dishcloths this year. Last year she made "scarf hats"...her own pattern even!

I'm hoping to make up some small (baby wipe container) first aid kits to pass out...running behind as usual!

#4 12/01/10, 02:22 PM

I have always found good flashlights to be appreciated. I usually give 2 or 3 D-cell Maglights and/or Mini-Mags.

DeLorme Atlas & Gazeteers for the appropriate states are good.

AAA memberships.

Decent looking flat-wick kerosene lamps. Just make sure the bases aren't too narrow. Those are tippy.

belladulcinea · #5 12/01/10, 03:13 PM

Pinecone firestarters, knifty knitted scarves and hats, home canned items, flashlights, tools and Lowe's cards!

marinemomtatt · #6 12/01/10, 03:45 PM

It's difficult to 'make' for the extended family because they are die hard consumers. I'm trying anyway.
Last night we worked up a list for some of those family members, we poured over the latest Emergency Essentials catalog and website and tonight we're looking at MRE Depot's site. I know they'll be disappointed and maybe even angry but hey, if it keeps them from knocking on our door for a while after the doodoo hits we're cool.

Pelenaka · #7 12/01/10, 03:54 PM

I don't give out prep type gifts because when it hits the fan f&f would just leave them @ home when they showed up here.
Bottling up apple cider vinegar in wire bail beer bottles hubby bought from a redemption center. Slap a label on & it's all good.
For our children & myself since I am doing a no buy Christmas I'm making slippers out of found items such as wore out fleece jackets and salvaged trim.
I've been scouting out Aunt Sally's for flannel sheets to use for sewing hubby some pj. Would be great if I could find sheets that had antique cars or a hunting motif. I should have been looking mos. ago.
He really has everything he needs & wants except land and a 1948 Dodge truck. And perhaps a few dozen guns that he lusts over.

~~ pelenaka ~~
http://thirtyfivebyninety.blogspot.com/

Willowdale · #8 12/01/10, 04:23 PM

For Christmas this year we're giving home-made wine, home-made milk soap and red cedar blocks for folks to put in their sock drawer, that we cut from a downed tree. These aren't prep gifts, but they're saving us money to put towards our own preps.

**GREENCOUNTYPETE** · #9 12/01/10, 04:59 PM

good pocket knives , and flash lights are in order for this year

radiofish · #10 12/01/10, 05:01 PM

I discovered in the 6.5 Earthquake that we had here in January 9, 2010, most of my seeetie's family down the hill in Eureka did not have any portable AM/FM battery operated radios in the 2 houses next to each other. Luckily I was down there at the time, so I pulled out my own radio emergency bag and some of my ham radios, at that time.

When their commerical power and phones do go out, they have no news from the outside without sitting in a car in order to listen to a radio station.

So they all are getting one of those small AM/ FM portable radios (which just happens to be on sale at Walgreens this week), for a present this year.

Then with my making candles, everyone will get a candle or three of different sizes and styles.

jamala · #11 12/01/10, 07:15 PM

I am giving lots of flashlights/pocket knifes this year also. My DS age 15 asked for a survival kit (proud momma) he already has a small one y'all helped me on last year for hunting, but he wants a bigger one. My DD found a small "survival kit in a sardine can" online and ordered him that to put into the big one we are building for him. The kids are also getting wind up radios and solar battery chargers with batteries. They go through batteries like crazy so now they can re-charge them. The older 2 asked for these things so I am so proud of them. DS also wants a new deer skinning knife/kit. We are doing flashlights for parents/grandparents/aunts/uncles, after going on a family trip to the mountains and bad weather hitting I found that NO ONE but me had packed flashlights. We never lost power at the cabin but at least I had them in case. They informed me they would have to search to find a flashlight at home.

unregistered29228 · #12 12/01/10, 10:20 PM

My efforts in the past weren't really appreciated - "why did you give me a multi-tool?" "we already have a flashlight" and when I gave someone a long burning candle they said "we'd just go to a hotel if the power went off". So I don't really bother with most of our friends or family. I do give them home baked breads and cookies, and home canned jams and butters. Hopefully they will see those things as useful and a skill they could try. But I have about given up on making anyone see us as anything other than odd or eccentric.

Texasdirtdigger · #13 12/02/10, 04:33 AM

I want several new flashlights for Christmas.
This is what I have asked for.... I have been a good girl. I think I also want one of Walgreens radios.
I have ordered several SAK Multi-tools for DH, one for garage, 3 cars, shop , trailers and office...... Maybe now, he won't loose all of them! grrrr!
I am giving one like minded family member..... a 5 gal bucket of Dehydrated and CORRECTLY packaged foods, I have made.....He will just have to trust me on what is in there.
List is still being added to!
Seasons Gleanings!!

bee · #14 12/02/10, 08:20 AM

I am seriously considering some of those Coast Guard approved Emergency all day ration bars. Only problem I can see is if the kids get into them considering they are supposed to taste like a "dense lemon poundcake". I saw several sources, who has a favoite maker and supplier?

Our Little Farm · #15 12/02/10, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mom_of_Four

My efforts in the past weren't really appreciated - "why did you give me a multi-tool?" "we already have a flashlight" and when I gave someone a long burning candle they said "we'd just go to a hotel if the power went off". So I don't really bother with most of our friends or family. I do give them home baked breads and cookies, and home canned jams and butters. Hopefully they will see those things as useful and a skill they could try. But I have about given up on making anyone see us as anything other than odd or eccentric.

I also give home baked goods.

We don't give out a lot of presents. But do make fudge etc.

Alll our close friends and neighbors already prep. Extended family that don't want any part of it, well don't really know that we prep, and I would not want them crashing in on us.

**GREENCOUNTYPETE** · #16 12/02/10, 09:16 AM

I am not getting them for anyone but i sure would like som ammo cans

we had a mice in the pantry , and the ammount of food i ment to get into other containers sickens me the loss plastic bags , oat meal , rice , cut oats , and a few other things i need more containers to put things in.

ammo cans , expecaily the big 20mm cans and 50 cal cans would be great

the buckets were fine but i am a little workied that if the other stuff wasn't easy pickings that they might have nawed thru the buckets.

Jakk · #17 12/03/10, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Our Little Farm

I also give home baked goods.

We don't give out a lot of presents. But do make fudge etc.

mmmmm, how do I get on your list???

marinemomtatt · #18 12/04/10, 02:30 PM

I REALLY dislike the Holiday season, not just because my fingers are killing me from all the knitting I've been doing but mostly because of the populace's attitude right now.
I wish we could just hide out until it's over.
Went to Lowe's yesterday to get hubby a propane heater for his new shop, bad for me a Super Walmart is next door. (the heater will help me out too since I still have some canning to do and it can't be done in the house because the canners are too heavy for my piece of crap stove).

I'm enjoying all the great ideas and plans being shared.

lorian · #19 12/04/10, 04:11 PM

I prepped for my son in CA (and now in Seattle) a BOB bag. He was amused, but he keeps it in his car and someday he may thank me. I loved giving him that gift, and I know he respected it, even if he doesn't see the need right now.

Christmas preps for me is saving up bits of money throughout the year in an envelope for my kids presents for Christmas. Believe me, it's not easy keeping my hands off that when we have needs. But it's so stressful to have not done it and have NO money at Christmas (we are NOT lavish around here either!).

dranger1108 · #20 12/04/10, 04:32 PM

I got my son a survival hatchet http://www.vtarmynavy.com/rothco-survival-hatchet.htm
I got some silver for my hubby, and flashlights for stocking stuffers.

I've been picking up battery power candles in case of emergency...