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Original poster

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

191 replies

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 28/09/2024 19:27

I know I am being unreasonable to ask is here really. But hey ho. Lots of good ideas abound. I want to buy a largish pencil case or make up bag for my 2 DDs and fill it with essential items. A bag that is small enough for them to keep in their back packs. They are aged 23 and 20 and are lovely young women but are always running out of basic things. One is on the PGCE. One is a university.

This is meant to be a fun but useful extra Christmas present that will save them time and money and be appealing. I have in mind already: small pack of paracetamol, tissues, wet wipes, tampons, pen, safety pins, mini deodorant, mini toothpaste and travel toothbrush, chewing gum, £10, couple of £1 coins, portable charger, plasters. Any better./different ideas?

Just to reiterate.. this is not a major present. Just a fun thing for them to open that will be useful rather than tat.

Thanks all.

OP posts:
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8
Kingofthetyrantlizards · 28/09/2024 20:42

Might be a bit big, but... spare socks? I hate hate hate having wet/damp feet (unless I've just washed them) and now make sure to pack spare socks in case it buckets down on my way into work - at least now I can change into dry ones.

How big are the bags they usually carry? I guess that would determine how much you can fit in. I'd definitely say tissues, painkillers, hair ties, brush, and some tic tacks.

getsomehelp · 28/09/2024 20:41

I'm going to do this for my DD & will include loads of the above, & especially:

small mirror & tweezers (essential !)
nail file
roll up shopping bag
blister plasters
concealer
lip balm
safety pins
tiny sewing kit
whistle
pen

Threeboystwocatsandadog · 28/09/2024 20:39

What a great idea! I might do this for my boys at Christmas.

Violetparis · 28/09/2024 20:33

Lovely gift idea !

Awishcometrue · 28/09/2024 20:33

Also write important numbers down incase she looses her phone,
not just any shower gel but one that reminds her of home

ttcat37 · 28/09/2024 20:31

Folding hairbrush with mirror & a mini can of dry shampoo
Miniature Clarins beauty flash balm (great to brighten up a tired face)
Miniature Dr Jart Cicarepair tiger grass colour correcting cream (covers up redness, magical)
Concealer pencil (for sudden spots)
Miniature mascara (I like roller lash by benefit)
Mini pouch of wet wipes
Folding fan (perhaps you don’t need these in your 20s but I don’t go out without my fan!)

unmemorableusername · 28/09/2024 20:30

Mini notebook with a mini pen attached.
Hand cream
Lip balm
Ibuprofen
Nail file
Nail scissors
Needle & black thread

Onedancewontdo · 28/09/2024 20:29

small address book with family members numbers in just in case they lose their phone or it’s run out of charge

Ponderingwindow · 28/09/2024 20:29

I have one of those in my bag.
In use contact lens cases to store tiny quantities of some things.

tissues
nail file
tiny hand cream
lip balm
hair tie
plaster
a box that is just the right size to hold a spare pair of disposable contact lenses
Two mini protein bars
mints
paracemetol
antacid pill
tampon
eye drops

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 28/09/2024 20:28

@LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood for the PGCE student look at school stickers. I love them, my students love them. Some nice personalised ones.

www.schoolstickers.com

Alpolonia · 28/09/2024 20:22

CatsMcGoo · 28/09/2024 20:19

Pen
Hair ties and a few hair pins
Write down and laminate a couple of important phone numbers? Eg yours, each other’s. When I lost my phone I realised that the only phone numbers I know by heart are my own and the home phone my mum made me learned aged about 6 😂

I’ve done the laminated list of phone numbers for the family, which has proved really handy for me when I’ve left phone at home. I keep one in my purse and one in the car.

ShamblesRock · 28/09/2024 20:22

I realised that the only phone numbers I know by heart are my own and the home phone my mum made me learned aged about 6 😂

Same for me. Luckily they still have that number.

I've actually written mine and dh's numbers down for DD to take with her to uni just in case she loses her phone.

Doggymummar · 28/09/2024 20:22

Condoms, morning after pill, thrush cream, dry shampoo

BambiBambi44 · 28/09/2024 20:21

What a gorgeous idea OP! And such great ideas :)
I would add an antihistamine and a little seeing kit.

CatsMcGoo · 28/09/2024 20:19

Pen
Hair ties and a few hair pins
Write down and laminate a couple of important phone numbers? Eg yours, each other’s. When I lost my phone I realised that the only phone numbers I know by heart are my own and the home phone my mum made me learned aged about 6 😂

Wonderballs · 28/09/2024 20:18

A swiss army knife or card
In a grid-it instead of a bag

RachPelders · 28/09/2024 20:18

This is such a good idea. I actually might do this for both of my sisters for Xmas (25 and 32!) 😁

Pipersgirl · 28/09/2024 20:18

Awww this is just such a lovely idea! What a thoughtful mum you are.
What about one of these flatlay pouches to put it all in? They’re a bit spendy but quite glam, and would lovely as a make up bag or being pulled out to hunt for the essentials! They come in all sorts of patterns- I got one for myself recently for holiday and it has oranges on it haha!

www.lookfantastic.com/the-flat-lay-co.-open-flat-makeup-jelly-box-bag-summer-strawberries/15222801.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&affil=thggpsad&kwds=&thg_ppc_campaign=71700000114615786&adtype=pla&product_id=15222801&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-fXirtPslybv39NseDkUDGZa3MK&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIh6-B56zmiAMVYJlQBh0xfTPpEAQYCiABEgKTKvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

SpecialBreak · 28/09/2024 20:17

Travel sun cream

Chuzzle · 28/09/2024 20:17

This is lovely and I'm stealing your idea!

pizzaHeart · 28/09/2024 20:17

Do you want them to have it in their handbag or have it in their house?
if it’s for a handbag I’ll put a few plasters, including blister plaster, ibuprofen or paracetamol, chewing gum, tissues, small lip balm, pad/ tampon, small nail file, trolley coin, hair bobble or pair of clips (depending on their hairstyle), hand gel and £5 note for emergencies. If possible portable power bank.

I think anything more and it’s too much for a handbag.

Solmum1964 · 28/09/2024 20:16

How about a personal alarm?

Ilovelurchers · 28/09/2024 20:15

This is a gorgeous idea - I will definitely do it for mine when she is a bit older.

I am a teacher and this would be SO handy at school.

Things I would like are:
Body-spray/fragrance.
Plasters.
Small tube of savlon
Lipstick
Lip balm
Little mirror
Mini deep heat
Pack of face wipes
Biro
Board marker
Little sellotape
Mini stapler
Tiny little notebook
Post its
Chewing gum
Little toothpaste
Little penknife (maybe even a tiny multitool
Little kit of tiny screwdrivers
Tissues
Emergency snack
Little fidget toy
Headache pills
Little folding hairbrush
Poundcoin
Charger
One of those USB plugs
Little torch.
Little sewing kit

My last suggestion depends on your daughters' private lives and also what sort of relationship you have with them, but when I was in my early 20s my mom got me a purse from Boots 17 range for clubbing that came with a mirror and lipstick and she added a tenner and a condom!

ThatMakesSense · 28/09/2024 20:15

Dextrose

notanothernamechange24 · 28/09/2024 20:14

Keyring torch
Maybe a power bank for phones