Author of Be Ready for Anything and Build a Better Pantry on a Budget online course
We all have them. Those people we care about who think we’re nuttier than a bag of pecans for our prepping endeavors.
Although they’re doubting Thomases, we still love them and want them to be safe in an emergency. I’ve put together a list of gifts with a survival twist that you can get for the folks you love. One day, they may look at that gift, think of you, and be extremely grateful. (Here’s an article about some gentle persuasion to get them on board.)
Below, you’ll find some kits that you can put together for a loved one, as well as some smaller, stocking-stuffer-type presents. If the gift recipients in your life are already preppers, here’s a list of gift ideas for them.
Survival Kits
An Emergency Food Kit
In the event of a power outage, people who are unprepared can quickly run out of things to eat or a way to cook them. Put together a kit that provides food sealed up for the long term, an emergency cooking method, and fuel for the cooking method. I recommend:
- A grab-and-go bucket of food
- A grab-and-go bucket of food (This can be used indoors if you exercise caution)
- Butane fuel canisters
A Vehicle Emergency Kit
This kit won’t be as thorough as the prepper version, but if you put it in a handy bucket, they’ll probably stash it in their vehicle and forget it, and it will be there when they need it.
- Compact Thermal Sleeping Bag
- Extra socks
- Gloves and a hat
- A jumper box to boost your car without needing another car around
- Granola bars (Clif bars have a lot of caloric bang for the buck)
- Travel water filter (We use the Sawyer Mini) but for a newbie you might consider a filter bottle like this
- Waterproof matches
- Emergency signal (I like these 12-hour ultra-bright glow sticks)
- Emergency Survival Manual (This one belongs in every bug-out bag, purse, car, and home.)
A Home Security Kit
- Door Jammer: This gadget will add some extra security to your doors. You can use this on an inside solid core door to fortify a bedroom or safe room, and you can take it with you for hotel rooms, too. A wedge is a less expensive option.
- Window Alarms: Secure the windows with these wireless magnetic sensors.
- Security Camera: These cameras connect to wifi, so they’re perfect for having eyes on your driveway or gate. However, keep in mind that even a fake camera with a blinking light can serve as a deterrent.
- Pepper Gel: This stuff has an 18-foot range, and unlike an aerosol pepper spray, it won’t be as likely to affect everyone in the room. Warning: If you or a family member suffers from asthma, pepper products and Mace can be debilitating to you as well as the intruder.
- Solar Motion Lights: These guys are wireless, easy to install, and powered by the sun.
Power Outage Kit
You may need to vary this based on the climate of the recipient.
- Mr. Buddy Heater: This is one of the few off-grid heaters that can safely be used indoors. Be sure to add propane to the gift, so they have fuel to run it.
- Carbon Monoxide Detector: Make sure the one you get has battery back-up. These are especially important during a power outage when the person might be using off-grid heating methods.
- Candles: Add some long-burning candles.
- Rechargeable Flashlights: This one stays plugged in until you need it.
- Battery-Operated Fans: These will make life much more pleasant if the power outage takes place in hot weather.
Stocking Stuffers
- The SAS Survival Manual: This handy little classic has the necessary information you need to survive any situation in any climate. My girls both carry one, as do I. It’s tiny and fits easily in a purse.
- Self-Defense Key Chains: This little gadget goes on a key chain. Loop your fingers through the eye holes and the sharp “ears” can be used for self-defense. Be careful, when purchasing these, not to get something that is a concealed blade. Those are illegal in many states and can get a person into big trouble.
- Mini Water Filter: It even comes in multiple colors.
- Super-bright Mini Flashlight: This one is a long-lasting LED light, and it’s tiny enough to go in a purse or glove box easily.
- Pepper Gel: This stuff has an 18-foot range, and unlike an aerosol pepper spray, won’t be as likely to affect everyone in the room. Warning: If you are a family member suffers from asthma, pepper products and Mace can be debilitating to you as well as the intruder. (This is also included in one of the kits above.)
What If They Want to Prep But They’re Not Sure How to Get Started?
Sometimes it isn’t that they don’t want to prep – they just don’t know how to get started. Beginners always have a lot of questions about prepping. If you want to point them in the right direction, I have a few suggestions.
Books
Below, you’ll find some of my favorite books for people who are new to preparedness. (Yes, I’m shamelessly self-promoting my own books too.)
- Be Ready for Anything
- Prepper’s Pantry
- The Prepper’s Water Survival Guide
- Prepper’s Natural Medicine
- Prepper’s Survival Hacks
- The Prepper’s Long-term Survival Guide
What are your favorite stealth survivalist gifts?
Have you snuck some preps into the homes or cars of your loved ones in the form of gifts? What did you get them? Share your ideas in the comments.
