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Would you appreciate a gift of an emergency preparedness kit?

I am thinking of putting together personalized emergency kits for several couples on my christmas list (a tidy red box with self-charging flashlite, radio, water, food, and a folder for copies of important papers, etc.) Is this a nice gift or would you prefer something more like a book or bath soap?
Man. This is not really helping me. Seems like half say, "Yes, great" and half say "No, too impersonal". I'm going to go with something else, I think, and just make a good kit for my own family. Thanks everyone.

Public Comments

1. ya, if i live in fuc`king tornado alley or new orleans.

2. a book

3. Well it is definately something I would use, but it's rather unpersonal so it would depend on how close my relationship was with the people.

4. I think it's a great idea if it comes from your heart. It shows you care. I wish someone would have given me one. I wouldn't have had to put out the expense myself. LOL. Everyone can always use a flashlight and a few other things just in case.

5. Honestly, it would be disappointing. Yes, it shows that you care about their safety but... it kinda sucks as a gift!

6. I live near New Orleans and got to tell you..I think that is a great idea if you also add a few nice things like homemade canned goods...things that won't spoil. That truly is a gift from the heart and I applaud you for your suggestion.

7. x-mas gifts must have a more personal touch... emergency kits can be offered but not for christmas... it seems like you wish them to be in a situation when they need it... brrrrrrr

you can choose something else, like a nice scarf for her and a cardigan for him. or if they are younger, some cd's or cosmetics.

8. actually i would really appreciate that.....that is one of those things i always think "gee i should get one of those for my car", but never actually get around to doing....good idea!

9. usually I'm up for any gift since its a gift and you should appreciate anything, but for Christmas, no, I wouldnt really like that. Not very personal and not something they may ever find useful.

10. That;s a great idea, I would really love that gift, especially if it had things like band aids and anti-bacterial disinfectant creams.

11. Yes. I would greatly appreciate it if someone gave us a gift of an emergency preparedness kit. It would clearly stand out as a caring gift. The kit was assembled to take care of life and nothing else is more precious than that. Kudos to you in giving a thought of such a precious gift.

12. i'll take what's behind door #1!

well, the emergency preparedness kit is something a whole lot of people, including myself don't have or don't maintain. living 15 minutes from San Francisco and being as close as I am to a fault line we definitely should get something stashed away other than rice and candies.

geez... you really got me thinking now, there's only one route into our valley and if anything happens to that route... well, i have no idea how ground crews would be able to reach us.

if you know people who read paper books and you know exactly what they want or need, a book would be great but i'd still definitely appreciate the preparedness kit.

here's my finally answer:

the preparedness kit PLUS the book. that way they'd have something to do if an emergency happens where they HAVE to wait around for help or for the possible hurricane to pass. A game book & pen would be nice. ^_^

13. I think thats a great and caring gift! I would love one of those!

14. I'd like it. Books and bath soap are okay, but they're those guaranteed-to-get-'em-from-somebody things.

It's really a rather good idea; most people, I think, have a vague idea that they think they should have one, but haven't done much about it.

Bonus is that they'd have it for _years_ and think fondly of you every time they saw it.

15. I think it's a wonderful idea. No matter where you live anymore you'd need it at some time. Good idea

16. I give these and if the receiver does not like it it really is NOT my concern! Anyone receiving a gift should be appreciative towards the giver simply because they thought enough of the person to put some thought behind a gift and get one.

Personally a "GIFT CARD" is the impersonal gift. Basically saying,"Here, I don't want to shop for you because I am too self centered, now go shop for your own crap".

I received a First aide kit once that was completely put together by my husband !! I was very impressed with the amount of thought that went into picking out all the little goodies within it!!

Keep in mind some people are just plain rude and will find fault in anything you give so why bother trying to impress!?!!!

I think your gift idea would be great and I would hug you for receiving it!!!

Happy Friday!

: )

17. It depends on where you live. I think only people that live in hurricane or tornado prone areas would even know what it is. I live in a part of PA that experiences very few floods, tornados, and no hurricanes. But, even if someone could really use it, it is a depressing gift for Christmas. It just reminds them of what could happen during the upcoming year. Besides, with the natural disasters that the country has had during the past few years, a cutesy Christmas gift would never fully prepare them for the devastation. Stick to normal stuff like perfume, bath soap, gift cards, etc. Don't remind them what could go wrong during the upcoming year. It is the holidays, for goodness sakes.

18. Some would take it as a gloom and doom forecast.

I would find something a little more cheery.


I wouldn't mind the kit however.

19. Only if I was accident prone. Oh wait I am, yeah get it for me.

20. Go with it. It's a great way of saying "I care that you're safe", especially if they live in an area that's prone to bad winter storms, hurricanes and such. If they drive a lot a car emergency kit would be a very good gift. We did this one year for someone on our list who was hard to buy for and they really appreciated it because it's not something they would think to do themselves but is very important.