Chicagoist: The 2006 Chicagoist Holiday Gift Guide

Ralph

Sun, 17 Dec 2006 07:43:52 -0600

Gift Basket For Disaster Preparedness For the person who thinks he/she has everything.. It is time for gift giving, now is the time to give the gift that says you really care. At the end of this article you can find the instructions on what to do with this gift basket. Gift List Personal Data CD Get a GIFT CARD FROM KINKOS OR A SIMILAR COMPUTER TIME RENTAL PLACE, to cover scanning personal documents and put the images on a CD. Or offer to do it with your scanner and computer. Plan on scanning personal information, birth certificate, military record and discharge, deeds, auto ownership, home mortgage papers, debt list of creditors to contact, family photo album, property tax recorsd, income tax records, personal address book (also include the address book in print as part of the Epack). List of family members descriptions and photos. (You will need all this information after a disaster.) Include a SMALL DIGITAL CAMERA to record every room, every cabinet’s contents, portraits of all electronic devices, the car, the home-from every angle- all of this to become a personal disaster inventory. You will need this for insurance recovery. This inventory becomes part of the CD above. Go to the Market and get a selection of ENERGY BARS TO COVER NINE MEALS. Get a selection of the individual juice containers (cans are too heavy) for the basket. Also select about TWO QUARTS OF BOTTLED WATER in smaller containers; more if the person can carry it. The option is to get a Coast-Guard approved, 3600 calorie, emergency nutrition package. Go to the bulk food department and get a pound of ONE OR TWO FAVORITE GRANOLAS. Chocolate-chips always are good in there, too. Select a ONE-PERSON, FIRST AID KIT from the drug section. Add to it, a general pain killer, a jar of petroleum jelly, a box of band-aids, a roll of elastic bandage ( for sprains), Go to the Camping Section and select a SPACE BLANKET, A PLASTIC RAIN PANCHO, TWO 12 HOUR LIGHT STICKS., A PACKAGE OF HAND WARMERS, A PACKAGE OF FIRE STARTER STICKS, SOME WATERPROOF MATCHES, Select an LED FLASHLIGHT- the batteries will last forever. Go to clothing and select a SIX-PACK OF WHITE, COTTON TUBE SOCKS. ( They can serve as mittens, bandages, or even as dry socks.) Select a WARM SWEATER for the gift basket, too. Last, Select a small knapsack, sling-shoulder bag, or other CARRYING CONTAINER for what you have selected for the Epack and that will be comfortable for the person who will get the gift that says you really care.. There is an Ezine, On Your Own, that describes in detail the contents of a full E-Pack to meet most emergencies and what to do with it in the mean time. A personal Epack is a panic driven paranoia until you are caught in a disaster.. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Ralph www.ritchieunlimitedpublications.com

irish1974

Sat, 09 Dec 2006 12:25:34 -0600

Thanks for the idea on the handbag hanger. I ordered one for my fiance. I also found a coupon code for the Simply Sarah Handbag Hanger. Enter "LWL20" for a 20% discount.

freddyfolicious

Tue, 05 Dec 2006 17:34:55 -0600

Here is my holiday tip. Go win stuff for free. Someone sent me this link because I really like Kristen Cavallari and I won a giftcard for $50. Plus it's a trivia game so it's fun. fun_trivia_hot_chic.com

gavin

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 14:36:15 -0600

heh. i have a wii. you guys can come play any time you like.

Sara @ YellowIbis

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 19:11:42 -0600

Hi Chicagoist! Thank you for the mention, much appreciated!! We have a wide range range of science geekware, and one of the things that makes us special is that we have a full range of men's AND women's sizes, and we do custom orders with no minimum. For the scientists and science lovers out there, we also have a special scientist holiday gift guide. (We don't sell these items, we just have these links up for interest). There are some cool items up there, including some unique stuff by independent artists. http://gifts.yellowibis.com/allscientist.html Happy Holidays!

rachelle bowden

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 17:19:36 -0600

this is a great list, but if you guys have any more suggestions, leave them in the comments here. the more ideas the better.. more likely to find something for that hard-to-shop-for name you drew out of the hat this year!

spudart

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 12:26:25 -0600

Nice list. I'd like to see a photo of each item that would make reading through this so much easier.