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.

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

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.

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:

Things for their type of hair e.g dry shampoo or (if they have curly/dry/frizzy hair) a hair oil will be better to revitalise, scrunchie long hair, clip/hair band shorter hair

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)

Would people actually use any of these things??

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.

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

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

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

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.

These would be really nice with personalised messages on them.

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.

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.

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

Fold up tiny poncho and one of those multi screwdriver pen

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

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.

One of these - pockt great for medication

https://pockt.co/products/pockt-pal-1

Condoms
Umbrella
Wet wipes
Post it notes/small note pad
Bottle of water
Tape measure
Chocolate bar
£10supermarket voucher
Hair bobble

Mirror,tweezers, hair bobbles, hand cream and nail clippers are my most searched for items at the bottom of my handbag. They’ve probably already been said though :)

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

not sure what my year 13 maths class would have made of these when I was doing my PGCE 😃

My Nan always did stuff like this when I was a student and I was so grateful. It’s lovely to know that someone cares enough to make sure you have the stuff you need when you need it.

things I’m not sure I’ve seen yet are hand cream, nail clippers, dental floss, earring backs.

The 17/18 year olds I taught would virtually fight over who got to use the 'frozen' felt tips, just felt tips but with characters from the film on them.

I only bought them because they were in the £1 shop, I did not expect the reaction I got.

They also loved stars.

Year 7 are still young enough to like things, years 8 and 9 are far too cool but VI form / FE college they were suddenly back into silly little things.

I’ve carried a small emergency pencil case for years everyone comes to me for things. In mine I’ve got hair grips. Small scissors, sticky tape, toothpicks, hair bobbles, mints, lip balm, lip stick, tape measure, pen, nail file, aspirin, inhaler, and a phone charger x

Immodium tablets (or the supermarket version).

Always a go to when out and about if necessary 🤣🤣

If you wanted to put in a really nice bag, they are expensive but Elizabeth Scarlett. I intend to use mine to do what you have suggested 😅

Power bank for phone and cable