More Self Reliance Christmas Ideas

from Totally Ready by admin

Now lets think about self reliance gifts that are not food related. How about…

1. Gardening gloves and tools with a plant or vegetable seeds seeds.

2. Purchase several small herb plants and place them together in a basket with a favorite recipe card for using each.

3. Handwritten copies of your favorite food storage recipes along with a ingredients for one recipe.

4. Prepaid long distance phone cards to be kept in 72 hour kits or for emergency use.

5. Address book with family addresses and phone numbers, and contact information for poison control, fire and police departments, and the local hospital. Include a note stating that this is to be kept in the car or 72 hour kit.

6. Puzzles or travel games for 72 hour kits

7. Last year we made rice packs for use when you have a stiff neck or headache. Expanding that idea, make draft stoppers. Measure the doorway, cut a six inch wide piece of heavy fabric the length of the door and fill with sand or rice. This is really a great gift for anyone living in an area with frequent power outages during the winter.

8. Hat, mittens, and/or scarves so the old ones can be added to car kits.

9. A great cookbook, especially if it is a food storage cookbook.

10. Set of maps for the area in which the recipient lives in addition to maps to their “out of area contact”, with several “escape routes” highlighted.

11. Candles are pretty but are also good for a power outage. Remember scented candles during an outage can become really awful when they are not the same scent or several are lit to provide light in several rooms. Keep the scents the same or purchase unscented. For emergencies candles in glass containers are the best.

12. Give an item for an auto kit. If they have none consider a back pack of fanny pack with a few items such as a mylar blanket, glow stick or two, or one of the items on sale at closeout right now at Totally Ready are great to begin a car kit for everyone on your list, first aid kits and energy bars are a must for anyone who travels and all those who will be making the trek to grandma’s house for the holiday or to the ski resort. Keep a list of what you have given and add a new item or two every gift giving occasion.

13. Same idea as #12 only for the office. If you or your gift recipient live in an earthquake, tornado or wild fire area they should absolutely be prepared to evacuate from work and have the resources to survive for a day or two until help arrives.

Remember our General Store? The purpose of our store is to have on hand the things we need and use so when times are tough we don’t need to go to the store and we can care for the needs and safety of our family. In that spirit purchase items to help stock the shelves of a loved one’s General Store, non food items.

14. Purchase gift wrapping supplies at the dollar store. A few gift bags or different sizes, tape and tissue paper.

15. For a friend with children purchase a few craft supplies at the dollar store. You will be so appreciated when the “I’m bored” hits during Christmas break, summer or that snow day turns into two or three. Purchase colored paper, crayons, paints, stickers, glitter, wood cut outs, poster board,…etc.

Make this a fun and self reliant Christmas for all.

AND DON’T FORGET: I have a limited number of autographed copies of the best selling book Making the Best of Basics available. Purchase one now and you also receive the free ebooks Mother Hubbard: What She’s Doing Now and That won’t Happen to Me All for $50.00 and all the proceeds go to a family in need of help this Christmas. They make great gifts and I only have a few available so purchase today.