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

[LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood]

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.

Scissors, so useful for everything. Often wish I had a pair attached to my waist like a woman on a mediaeval tomb.

I carry a version of these that are about 8cm x 5cm around with my essentials. I have them in my car and work rucksack. Easy to take out and transfer into another bag.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/YUXIANLB-Organizer-Cosmetic-Essentials-Transparent/dp/B0CWRLL1WC/ref=mpssa112sspa?adgrpid=70677220271&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4Be9E6flKbDwaQfJJzwp7iEMNwkxw0KmCQNnuMsVJxJdrpQdovTI215LMfTlxrVClkHFIi2tp2tMMGdZOrLLY6mO6VyheJb3jo3FI7hSvOqAfODOZHwq82wFhWVcrFZOrrOjoYQ8OhH9mw0HNYjwa3C1M1-ymGzQY6olI7piCu-esD9eKkB5rZoLwUpQvbm-2FCHjwN-zzJo0dKUbHvzKcKeKJSJsBz4IAztS2A013jiz8na22VHseOKcJRTQLsoCXBlcVR-TmMTycRjCMrMWUrv0awt7W6BdyfiZmaG4.cXxopmwoaRZb6bZtHfGiab9A92oBdQYrNGMYcRMLUJk&dibtag=se&hvadid=338340597786&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=1006854&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=18236946423675899046&hvtargid=kwd-297806593876&hydadcr=1690661717163&keywords=small+clear+purse&qid=1727550046&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

Most of these lean towards the PGCE student...

Lip balm
Sticky labels
Highlighters
Reward stickers
Lemsips
Echinacea
Tictacs
Multi colours pen
Scrunchies
Hand gel
Hot chocolate sachets

Photo more helpful.

Clear so you can find what you need easily.

Link to the smaller size

I have in them:
Lip cream
Nail scissors
Emery board (prior to gel nails)
Pain killers
My other meds
Tissues
Loop earplugs
Mini hand cream
Hair bobble

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zippered-Toiletry-Lightweight-Toiletries-Traveling/dp/B0CZ768DJM/ref=mpssa1110sspa?adgrpid=70677220271&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4Be9E6flKbDwaQfJJzwp7iEMNwkxw0KmCQNnuMsVJxJdrpQdovTI215LMfTlxrVClkHFIi2tp2tMMGdZOrLLY6mO6VyheJb3jo3FI7hSvOqAfODOZHwq82wFhWVcrFZOrrOjoYQ8OhH9mw0HNYjwa3C1M1-ymGzQY6olI7piCu-esD9eKkB5rZoLwUpQvbm-2FCHjwN-zzJo0dKUbHvzKcKeKJSJsBz4IAztS2A013jiz8na22VHseOKcJRTQLsoCXBlcVR-TmMTycRjCMrMWUrv0awt7W6BdyfiZmaG4.cXxopmwoaRZb6bZtHfGiab9A92oBdQYrNGMYcRMLUJk&dibtag=se&hvadid=338340597786&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=1006854&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=18236946423675899046&hvtargid=kwd-297806593876&hydadcr=1690661717163&keywords=small+clear+purse&qid=1727550252&sr=8-10-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfbXRm&psc=1

So brilliant. The responses to the thread have really made me happy this evening! Maybe 20cm by 15cm. I’m really bad at estimating that sort of thing.

What about something like this?

I bought one a few months ago and it has my basic essentials in.
Can be a shoulder bag
Can be a bum bag
But is also small enough to throw in, or clip to, most larger handbags.

Hanaso Women Cross Body Bag Small... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BQMGJ4KV?ref=ppxpoppmobappshare

Crystal
Worry dolls
Oil blotting sheets

Some great ideas here. For a bag, how about a shopper bag (probably bigger than you want, but useful)?

Next have one with an initial on, which would be fun:
https://www.next.co.uk/style/su246729/n22205#n22205

Would a small umberella fit in? I can never find mine 😂 lovely idea op xx

I have these in my handbag, I think they are sewing scissors but they do cut most things.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hemline-Haberdashery-H353-F-Folding-Scissors/dp/B003F18ZA8/ref=asc_df_B003F18ZA8/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697357204733&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7374209753906716868&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046821&hvtargid=pla-423562678038&psc=1&mcid=018535d19b9c3ae189a61a1bc5c36a44&gad_source=1

poundshop=travel plug aadptor. aa+ aaa batteries ,

I'm now thinking you get the larger bag with a smaller one inside so you have the little bag of minimal ultra essentials and then the lesser essentials in the big one when they take a bigger bag.

Just discovered Next do a pouch too:
https://www.next.co.uk/style/su279512/b55986#b55986

For something to put things in, I got this today for DD from home bargains as I wanted something to take first aid bits in for university. It's actually a pencil case and was about £2. There were different colours as well.

I use a bag insert like this - lots of pockets and zips, and can be put into whichever bag you're using that day

amzn.eu/d/9FLoAes

Keyring torch
Maybe a power bank for phones

Dextrose

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!

How about a personal alarm?

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.

This is lovely and I'm stealing your idea!

Travel sun cream

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

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