Buy Yourself a Christmas Present

“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other” -Burton Hillis

While it’s fun to get toys and games and electronic gadgets for Christmas, sometimes the gifts are more practical like socks and ties. For the ultimate in practical Christmas gifts buy something to help yourself or the family to become more prepared.

Here are two ideas for preparedness gift buying family activities:

1. Assemble a family go-kit. Have each person contribute one or more items to the go-kit and place the completed kit under the tree. See Survival Kits and Red Cross - Get A Kit and What's in Your Go-Kit? for some ideas.
2. Assemble a family food supply. Again each family member should add one or more items to the food box. Try starting with a one-month supply for one person. Then each year you can add one more box or replace an old one. See The Wisdom of Food Storage for a nice written blog written by a preparedness advocate in the Dominica Republic.

Bottom Line

A one-month’s food storage for one person can be purchased for under $25 and consists of the following:

• Grains or flour - 30 pounds
• Powdered milk - 6.25 pounds
• Sugar or honey - 5 pounds
• Salt - 1/2 pound
• Fats and oils - 1-2/3 pounds
• Dry Beans - 5 pounds

This list assumes you are comfortable cooking from basic ingredients; see The Value of Cooking. It also assumes you will get all your protein from the powdered milk and Beans, Beans, Beans... If you lack a collection of pioneer recipes, hate beans, hate cooking from scratch or want more variety in your emergency meals, then check out Meals Ready to Eat and other Options or try purchasing this list:

One Month, Shelf Stable Groceries for One person:

Starch:

• one box oatmeal (18 ounces)
• 1 pound rice
• 20 ounces pasta
• 5 pounds flour
• 1 pound popcorn

Fruit & Veggies

• 34 cans (15 ounce) vegetables
• 26 cans (15 ounce)fruit

Dairy

• 2 pounds Velveeta
• 4 cans (12 ounce) evaporated milk
• 3.2 pounds powdered milk (powder to make 4 gallons)

Protein

• 1 jar peanut butter (18 ounces)
• 4 cans (6 ounce) tuna
• 4 cans (5 ounce)chicken
• 4 cans (5 ounce) ham
• 8 cans (15 ounce) cooked dry beans

Plus a month's supply of cooking oil/shortening, sugar, syrup, jam, salt