It’s graduation time from most schools and there will be a whole lot of young people leaving their homes for the first time on their own–off into the big world. Rather than a bouquet of roses, why not give a gift that will help them be more prepared in this new adventure in their life? Here are my top 10 ideas for preparedness graduation gifts to get you started.
1. A vehicle emergency kit. You can get a pre-made one or assemble one yourself. Make sure to include jumper cables and a lesson on how to use them.
2. A personal emergency kit. Otherwise known as a survival kit or bug out bag, these kits have all the essentials for survival included in them. Again, you can purchase a pre-assembled kit or custom build your own. An option that might cost you a bit less would be to put together a basic kit and include a copy of Creek Stewart’s book “Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag” so the new adult can customize their own kit. If you’re feeling a little less wealthy, any of the components of a survival kit also make great gifts on their own. See the next few items . . .
3. A good knife or multitool. Gerber and Leatherman both make great quality multi function knife tools that can be useful in a variety of situations. I love my pocket sized Leatherman Squirt.
4. Stove. Some type of nice, portable, camping stove. If it burns a particular type of fuel, include a bottle of the fuel so your new grad can make use of their stove right away. I discuss a variety of stoves in this post about cooking options for your emergency kit.
5. Water filter. Even though some of these can be kind of pricey, there are plenty of water filters out there that won’t break the bank like the LifeStraw or Sawyer Mini, both available for under $20.
6. Tools. Grab a tool kit or regular old hand tools like a socket set, wrenches, screwdrivers or hammer. It would be great for them to have the tools to do a few of their own repairs at their new place.
7. Food or Food Preservation Tools. Emergency foods that even a college kid can cook. Maybe some freeze dried meals or canned goods that will get them a start on their own food storage.
Food preservation tools like a starter kit of canning supplies can start them on the path of preserving their own food.
8. Sewing machine or supplies. A beginner sewing machine can go a long way toward fostering self reliance. Or if a machine is out of your price range, put together a sewing kit with the supplies detailed here and they’ll have everything they need for hand sewing! Need a sewing project to get them started? Check out these 23 (mostly beginner) preparedness sewing projects!
9. Self Defense products. Something as small as pepper spray clear up to a personal firearm. You could even gift them some lessons in shooting or other self defense skills. If they’re heading off to college, check the campus regulations–some allow students 21 and over to carry concealed weapons on campus with a valid state permit, others will not let you even have a firearm in your dorm room on campus, but you could keep one if you are living in an off campus apartment.
10. And last, but not least, Knowledge. Hopefully if it is your own child leaving home, you have worked on this gift over the course of their lives. A graduate in another family might enjoy a good instructional book or two on survival, food storage, canning, gardening, or something similar. A couple of my favorites for beginners are the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving, Survival Mom, and Food Storage for Self Sufficiency and Survival.
So as you get those graduation announcements this spring, or are sending one of your own out of your home, consider giving the gift of preparedness to help them on their way. They’ll thank you for it.
Keep preparing! Angela
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This is a great idea. My grandson will be graduating from hs in 2013. I will have to think this one out because they live in an apt in NYC, he will not have a car. He rides a city bus to school. I suppose my daughter will have to allow him on the subway, AND I doubt he will want to carry a backpack. So, this will require thought. I was hating to give him a generic gift or money. He will be living at home while attending college, so maybe backpack supplies that are legal on campus will be an idea.
With a little creativity, this concept might also work with newlyweds — especially those who already have most household items from living on their own in college, etc.
great ideas. when my daughter graduated and got married, i asked where her registry was and she said home depot. i was so proud at that moment. i realized everything i had been doing and teaching her had sunk in.