AIBU to ask what you would put in a small bag for 2 early 20s DDs.

This is such a lovely idea!

I'd add a gift card or 2 for their favourite coffee shop or take away and a small pot of their preferred face cream and hand cream. And a face mask. And a bar of chocolate!

When I was young there was Resolve which helped with hangovers if they drink.

Lovely idea, and thoughtful. Great idea for a stocking filler. Will watch with interest.

Fold up tiny poncho and one of those multi screwdriver pen

Defo a note from mum saying I luv u, u got this or whatever.

Such a lovely idea!
I have a small fold up hairbrush that I got from Muji years ago and has been invaluable. Similarly some rice paper face blotters / papier poudres from Body Shop.
The things my daughters of a similar age often seem to need - foldable shopping bag, antibacterial hand gel, hair bands, Rennies, Compeed.

Clear nail varnish. To use on nails or snagged tights.

Has any one said tissues yet?

Hair ties for the PGCE DD they can be handed out to students, act as an elastic band and probably other things.

A USB stick.

Also for the PGCE DD stickers / stars / small things she can give out in class, I had a pack of minions rubbers that I could give out for good work. You can get little stamps with 'well done' or 'great' on them.

I found Sainsbury's great for finding little bits and pieces when I was teaching.

@SharnGee

When my elder niece went to uni (just after her 18th) I sent her an overnight bag that I had filled with some of the things listed here, but with flip flops, toilet roll, even a spare mobile phone and emergency chocolate. That was a decade ago so no this is not new.

My niece was a big Harry Potter fan so it was called, "The bag of requirement".

Actually OP a small dumb phone might be useful.

These would be really nice with personalised messages on them.

The majority of previous suggestions are great, but I'd be inclined to put money on a prepaid card rather than a £10 note in the bag, as this is what the youngsters prefer these days.
Just a thought.

Folded up shopping bag, the ones that go into a little pouch
Denmam pop up hair brush
SPF powder brush thing - really useful for your hair parting/nose etc on hot days. I think the ones I have are Hawaiian Tropic

Great ideas but am wondering about a whistle or alarm if feeling worried about personal safety. Not sure what people use these days!

If it hasn’t already been said a multi- 3 in 1 retractable charger. https://www.amazon.co.uk/SDBAUX-Charger-Retractable-Charging-Universal-Grey-4-1/dp/B0827XVH7S?ref_=dslp_ap_dp

I think the idea is that this is a gift of thoughtful things a mum thinks might come in handy for her DC. Moving forward I would expect the recipients to keep, replenish and refine to whatever works for them. Basically it’s a kind of starter kit - and a lovely way to encourage/show our young adults how to be resourceful, think ahead and take responsibility.

Pre-Covid when I worked in an office and had my own work space I used to keep things like this in a desk drawer so I could freshen up, go out straight after work and be prepared for unplanned events … and yes I did use them, along with many grateful colleagues who hadn’t planned ahead.

Now I use clear bags like this for specific situations like going to the beach (wipes, scrunchie, sun cream, lip balm, ear pods, portable charger, sun hat/scarf etc) easy to pop in my beach bag and find.

Would people actually use any of these things??

Great idea and can be customised to their individual needs/likes. Read the thread and loved all the suggestions. I agree you need to avoid too many items/duplication by getting stuff that is multifunctional. After all it is supposed to be emergency/essentials. Then just add a couple of items that are for their specific needs/likes. My suggestion would be:

1. Swiss Army knife/card (includes tweezers, mini scissors etc)
2. antibac spray and tissues (can be combined to make an emergency wipe)
3. Breath mints (could even replace toothpaste in an emergency)
4. paracetamol
5. £10 note and pound coins (no need for trolley token) could even have £10 of coins in one of those coin holders
6. Mini moisturiser with SPF - covers sun/hands too and can be used with tissues to remove make up
7. mini Vaseline - can be used as lip gloss and also as a salve, make up remover etc
8. needles loaded with thread (black, white neutral) and safety pins. Can make yourself - just pin on a piece of felt
9. pen and post it’s - no need for note book can also write phone numbers on the bottom page
10. Customisable things to each individual could include:

Feminine hygiene e.g pants, pads (pads can be used by everyone and have other uses in an emergency)

Grooming e.g hairbrush, comb, a refillable perfume atomiser, spare pair of tights, mini toothbrush/paste

Outdoors type e.g blister plaster, Kendal mint cake, tube socks (can be used as gloves), string, neckerchief type scarf (can be used as sun hat, extra warmth or as a cloth/bandage), bike puncture kit, compass, rain poncho

Clubber e.g party feet shoe inserts, folding slipper shoes, lipstick, mirror, face spritzer, pair of earrings ( to glam up a work outfit)

i think this can work for any gender with maybe a few tweaks specific to their needs/like such as:
spare/emergency tie
hair gel
condoms
comb
beard oil
bottle opener
shoe/trainer laces
trainer socks
mag light
Plain t shirt (rolled up small and secured with an elastic band)

I traveled quite often for work. I had a small bag like that in my go bag. People mention scissors, I had a pair of foldable scissors that were marvelous.

Place marking- great ideas and I’m going to copy for gift party bags for my teen daughters birthday party.

I am unorganised and have about three of these I keep in the locker near my front door that I can grab on my way out.

Each one has;
Packet of tissues
Vaseline tub
Pen/mini notebook
Lip gloss
Fidget toy (for DC)
£1 coin/trolly thing

You can get a small tin of cream/balm from Body Shop or L'Occetain that can be used for lots of different things if you wanted something different from the Vaseline.

I have them in a small pencil case or pouch. You can get personalised pouches made too.

Mini perfume and party feet gel pads too.

A pair or two of black opaque tights x

Is there a monthly beauty/health pack type subscription you could buy? We did this for DD (New Zealand) and she was able to try all sorts of products we wouldn’t normally buy.

Love this

What does this mean? I genuinely don't understand what people mean when they ask "if something is a thing".

Especially in this case. It's one woman doing something and a few other women saying it's a nice idea. Does that constitute "a thing"? It's a collection of several small things to be specific ....

And it's hardly some radical idea that you can't possibly have imagined ever happening. "Mom buys daughter small bags full of essentials - stop the press!"

It's just a thoughtful idea for a gift because her daughters are a bit scatty. They can leave the bags at home if they don't like them....
.

This reaction has amused me disproportionately. I would love to know what can possibly be considered offensive to anyone about this thread. It's such a modest and yet kind, practical gift that almost anyone would appreciate from a relative.

What universe do you live in? One in which young women do not sometimes need deodorant, plasters, pounds and pens?

I love this idea, and think I may have to steal it for my 17 year old daughter. I would love someone to do it for me. ☺️

Mia Tui do some lovely bags with lots of compartments and they all come with little extras like make up bag / coin purse space for water bottle