Emergency preparedness gift ideas (practical, not scary)

What makes a good prep gift

• It gets used before an outage. A headlamp for the closet or a power bank for the commute stays charged and within reach, so it's ready when the power goes out.
• It fits a small home. Pick things that fit a drawer, not a bunker.
• It's easy to keep ready. Rechargeable, or uses batteries they already buy.

For the renter or apartment dweller

• A hands-free light. Ready.gov's kit list includes a "Flashlight". A headlamp leaves both hands free in a dark stairwell.
• A power bank. Ready.gov lists a "Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery". See how to choose a power bank, and backup power for an apartment if they want more.

For the commuter and holiday traveler

• A power bank they can fly with. See flying with a power bank for the FAA's carry-on rules. Also see holiday travel in a winter storm.
• A cash envelope or document pouch. The Red Cross kit list includes "Extra cash" and copies of personal documents. See how much cash to keep at home.

For the news-checker

• A weather radio. Ready.gov's kit list includes a "Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert". See do you need a NOAA weather radio?

Small prep gifts and stocking stuffers

Small enough to fit in a stocking, and useful long before an outage:

• A headlamp. Hands-free light for a dark stairwell or a closet.
• A small power bank. Pocket-size, for a phone. See how to choose a power bank.
• A cash envelope. Ready.gov's kit checklist includes "Cash or traveler's checks".
• A paper contact card. The phone numbers that matter, written down for when a phone is dead.

We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Shop Light → · Shop Power → · Shop Cash and documents →

For the car

• A car kit, starting with a jump starter. Ready.gov says: "Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work and cars." See winter car emergency kit for what goes in it.

What we'd skip

• "Survival" or fear-themed kits.
• Giant survival-food buckets.
• Generators and anything that burns fuel.
• Anything sold as "tactical."