My thoughts on Prep Christmas gifts for non preppers per the 12/10/14 NNPG Amateur Radio net meeting
Rob gave a great presentation on gifts for non-preppers. And there were lots of additional good ideas. Here are some of my thoughts on what one might do this Christmas:
There are a couple of ways to go about it. One is to get things that will help convince the non-prepper to come into the fold and become a prepper. Another is to just make sure the person has some things that can be of use whether or not the person becomes a prepper.
For the new prepper information can be as important, if not more important, than equipment and supplies. So things like one or more of the better prep guides, a good field or alternative medical treatment guide, a first copy and subscription to a good prepper magazine, or a certificate for professional training can be a very good gift for the newbie.
When it comes to equipment and supplies for the new prepper, practicality and obvious usefulness is a good approach. While there are literally hundreds of pre-packaged BOB/72hr Kits out there, a custom made one with quality components is much more personal, and can get a new prepper started off on the right foot.
Start with a quality storage/carry container. Something large enough for the basics, but not so big the given individual cannot handle it. For primarily home use a good tote will work. If there are to be provisions to bug-out, a back pack is in order. Either choice should be a quality item that will stand up for years of hard use.
Then add elements to provide for Basic Human Needs. The consumables should be items you know the person will like and eat or use. Sophisticated items that require specialized knowledge or much assembly or preparation should be avoided. But they still should be suitable for storage under less than ideal conditions.
For those that really have no intention in becoming preppers, there are some things that will put them in a much better position to deal with something, if it happens, than they would be otherwise. Basically prepper friendly versions of items they might want and need otherwise.
One item would be a fairly good size uncoated stainless steel water bottle 32 ounce – 40 ounce, with a carabiner top. Reduces the use of plastic, reusable, and tough.
Another item, simply for convenience, that has applications in disaster situations, especially when on the road. Having gelling bag urine bags and/or solid waste toilet bags, along with baby wipes or adult cleansing wipes can be a great help when travelling, especially if there are kids involved.
A quality, (not the cheap junk) crank flashlight might be an option. An Eveready Weather Ready crank or crank/solar flashlight, with carabiner is a good choice. Alternatively, a good LED Maglite, either one using one, two, or three AAA or AA batteries is a good choice.
Adding a few sets of rechargeable batteries and a quality charger, especially a solar charger or one that runs on 12v is good, too.
One of the thing I think that everyone should have, and that even non-preppers would probably appreciate is a quality NOAA Alert Weather Radio. One that can be kept in the bedroom or living room, monitoring 24/7 is good. For someone that might not want that, there are FRS handheld radios that incorporate NOAA alert radios. These are a good choice, especially if there are kids involved. Again, get some extra batteries.
If the person is an information junkie, or has any interest in communication, one of the quality shortwave receivers might be an option. Get one that receives SSB signals.
Even non-preppers can appreciate a good Swiss Army Knife. To make it practical for eventual use in a prep situation, it should include a locking blade, can opener, and a wood saw at minimum), The same goes for getting an outdoors or DIY person a multi-tool. Do get one that has prepper related tools, such as the wood saw, can openners, etc.
For the confirmed DIY person, 50’ to 100’ of 550 parachute cord, (or 750 cord, or bank cord) especially if wrapped on a Spool Tool with a mini-Bic lighter included is not too bad of a choice.
http://www.spooltool.us/Precious metals: A US 1-ounce Silver Eagle or two make a nice gift for anyone interested in numismatics, or for kids.
Many people have some type of Smart phone now. Giving them a certificate of an app, especially one for a good prepper friendly one such as navigation with off-line maps, or the SAS Survival Manual by John Wiseman is an option.
Also useful in emergency situation is something that does not scream prepper, is a good 8,000 mAh or greater power pack for the person’s cell phone or Smart phone.
Consider the person’s hobbies. Often, no matter what the hobby, there can be prep related ideas or items introduced using that person’s hobby. From knitting wool socks and sweaters, to making leather knife pouches to sewing up reusable feminine hygiene products, the creative mind can often intrigue a hobbyist with new and exciting options that fulfill their hobby interest with prepping.
For the Amateur Radio operator that is into the hobby of communications, but not that interested in its utility for prepping, one of the books or phone apps that tie the two together might be a good choice. Include information on some of the networks and organizations that use Amateur Radio in prepping, including Net frequencies and schedules. Also, some antennas, power supplies, or other equipment that will allow them to operate during grid-down or other disaster situations might be a good addition to their equipment.
There are some items that, while not really great as a main gift, can be good stocking stuffers. One is a 4x pocket Fresnel lense. Definitely useful as a fire starter in the field, it can be a great help in everyday situation for reading that fine print that seems to need to be read sometime when the light is bad, or the eyes are tired.
A Maglite LED Solitaire single AAA flashlight for the keychain or pocket is great for a variety of situations. Even smaller are some of the coin battery type LED keychain flashlights.
And a Cat’s head self-defense keychain tool is another one.
For the elderly, especially those living in an assisted living type situation, a pocket size picture album that they can keep with them all the time, with pictures of family members and friends, that also contains ICE information can be enjoyed daily, as well as provide needed information and identification in a situation that could come up that might make it difficult for someone to convince authorities that you are a relative and someone that can help the person when needed. Mark it in some way so the care staff/authorities know it contains emergency information.
For those thinkers and philosophers on the gift list, one or more of the Conflicted Card Game decks might be a viable choice. With the number of movies and books, and just generally being in the news regularly, prepping subjects do come up, even for non-preppers. The Conflicted Card game is a very thought provoking set of scenarios that people that love to think about and discuss philosophical subject might just enjoy having, reading, and discussing.
Whatever you decide to get for your prepper gift recipient, always keep in mind their skill and training levels, and their living arrangements. Some items just are not suitable for some people and some situations. But anything that enhances their state of preparedness is, in my opinion, a good gift.
Just my opinion.
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