The following is a guest post from regular contributor, Angie at Echoes of Laughter.
Recently I was cleaning out my purse and I found a whole assortment of things at the bottom that I wanted to have with me in case of an ’emergency’, but just not quite that messy. I decided that I had to organize these little things in a much better way. I began by browsing the local dollar store for some ideas and I found this adorable little fabric cosmetic bag that was perfect for the job.
With Mother’s Day and the end of the school year just around the corner, I thought I would share with you all the things that could make a great ‘Mom’s little emergency kit’. This would be such an awesome gift to put together for the busy moms in your life. I keep my little emergency kit in the glove box in my car or in my purse, depending on the weather and where I am going.
Included in the ‘Mom’s Little Emergency Kit’ are:
- make up remover cloth
- toothpaste
- floss
- Tums
- hand sanitizer gel
- Benadryl
- Gravol
- Tylenol
- Advil
- Imodium quick dissolve tablets
- Alka Seltzer
- Ice cold pain relief gel packet
- Halls cough drops
- Kleenex
- tampons
- Tide stain pen
- sewing kit
- buttons
- clear nail polish
- nail clippers
- emery board
- Q-tips
- hair elastic
- bobby pins
- safety pins
- Vaseline lip balm
- shoe cleaning cloth
- gum
Of course, the kit can be personalized to include any items that you might need in addition to the list I have shared.
All of my ‘must have’ items fit together nicely in the fabric cosmetic bag I picked up at the dollar store. I feel much better knowing that everything I might need is packaged together nicely in one zippered pouch. No more digging around in the bottom of my purse!
How about you? Do you have a ‘little emergency kit’ that you keep with you? What are some of your must-have items?
Wishing you a wonderful week!
Angie’s blog, Echoes of Laughter, is all about filling your home with love and laughter. She loves creative projects, organizing & decorating, cooking, baking, and all things domestic. Angie lives in Alberta, Canada with her husband and two great kids.
Linking up here: Lil Luna
MelanieL says
Great kit Angie! You have covered all the bases here! I really need to corral my things because I find myself digging in the bottom of my purse frequently!
Kimberley says
I would feel like a superhero Mom with this kit……my purse seems to always get cluttered up so I try to only keep the necessary items (wallet & cell phone) in it, but combining everything into a cute little cosmetic bag is a great idea!
Ann says
There is a company called Minimus (minimus.biz) that sells the individually packaged products such as medications, food and health and beauty aids. I’ve been able to purchase a few packets of ibuprofen, Benadryl, Immodium and the like to keep in my purse. It’s a GREAT resource for even the small dressing packets for taking lunch with you to work!
Lindsay says
Just checked out this website this is so perfect! Thanks for posting about it! I have found my new favorite website!!! =)
Glory says
I have one of these in my purse too, and while I am not a mom, I like to prepared for anything. I have almost everything you have and a lil brush for my hair.
Thanks for sharing!
Jean says
This is a great idea, but you need to remember that some of these items won’t go through TSA at airport checkpoints. Well, they might go through, but you might get pulled aside for a special search. If you’re like me, though, you won’t need to worry about it because you’ll take a different purse with you when you fly.
Roberta says
How big is that bag? This is so awesome and would be great for teacher appreciation too! Any gal can benefit from this, not just moms!
Deana says
Roberta, I love your suggestion of giving something like this as a gift! Who wouldn’t love receiving a gift like this?
Jodie says
I have one of those too. I carry wipes, tissues, lip balm and feminine essentials in the back pocket of my bag so I can get to them quickly but I also have a little pouch in the main section with a sewing kit, pain killers, a sachet of Stevia, nail file, nail clippers, safety pin, hair ties and clips, blister plasters, breath spray and an emergency phone charger. There’s no end to the number of times these things have come in handy.
Diane says
I have started using small bags to organize almost everything in my purse. I have a cosmetic bag with blush, lipstick, mirror, nail file, and perfume. Another bag contains feminine products. I also have a stationery bag with a pen, scrap paper and our library cards. I bought a long slim wallet that holds cards, cash and change. I stand the wallet up so it doesn’t get lost in the bottom of my purse. Now I guess I need to add an emergency kit. The one hing I would add is a small tape measure. It comes in handy for all sorts of things, especially for measuring clothes that I want to buy for my husband. Having all these little bags makes purse changing a snap and it’s easy to remember where I put things. No more searching through all the pockets. 😀
Barbie says
Oh I need one of these!
Donna McBroom-Theriot says
I also love this idea because I too gather things together in pouches – which also makes it easier to change bags which I seem to forever be doing. The one thing I cannot do without, or two, big bandaids as I sometimes tend to get blisters. When I feel my shoe rubbing I grab a big bandaid and cover my heel and no more friction. Also, could you let us know where you found the darling initial on your zipper. I am positive we all need one! lol
Donna
Tiffany says
Great kit with good ideas. I have one similar that i always keep in my purse or diaper bag. I have found that a good addition is a couple of zip ties and some temporary fabric hem tape. Also where would one find the little cold pack, might be handy to have around with the kiddos. Thanks 🙂
Linda says
I found small “smiley face” or princess face cold packs at the Container Store…about 4 inches in diameter.
Lisa says
Duct tape. They come in smaller sizes. I have used it to temporary repair shoes, hem line, as a band aid. It’s endless!!!
Lisa says
I have one similar but guess I need to up date it. I have tweezers, safety pins, double stick tape, band aids, lighter, neosporin, and a flashlight. Thanks for the ideas.
Mary says
I think this is a great idea and always wanted to do something like this but I’m worry about leaving this in the car & it being so hot in the summer, and this kit containing medicine, I’m worry that it may go bad, since the warning on the bottle says to keep at room temp? Any suggestions ?
Dani Miller says
I have an emergency kit containing all of the items mentioned in a cute little make-up travel train case. I just keep mine in the house by the door and grab and go to take whenever I leave. Then bring it in when I return home so I don’t have to worry about items being affected by the weather. I know it seems troublesome, but when you are in the habit of doing it, not a problem. I would rather have the items and not need them than be without.
Rita says
I also have one that I made last yr. My emergency kit includes: mini hairspray, hair pik, clip and scrunchi, krazy glue,listick,eyeshadow, black nailpolish,razor, tampon,bobby pin,safety pen, pen and sticky notes, tweezers, pencil sharpener,nail file,zantacand ibuprofen:)
Bel says
Love it but I removed the gum after watching a show on how it was made…..
Crystal Gulbranson says
What is the clear nail polish for? What is Gravol?
Laura says
Gravol is the Canadian version of Dramamine.
Kassey says
Fixing runs on tights!
Angela says
I do this too! I love the comment regarding the tape measure! Two really odd things that I cannot live without in mine are a small wedding size vile of bubbles and a nylon sock! When my kids are fussy or need a smile, I will blow a quick stream of bubbles toward the back seat at a stop light. It’s like magic to them! I also hate trying on shoes when I’m not wearing socks and the store’s sock stock is out :0( Happens to me a lot! A couple of not so strange ones are a travel size deodorant, a razor, mints, and a small facial sunblock stick. Life savers!
Nicole says
Love it! Im moving into my dorm in two weeks and am definitely making this kit to keep in my bag for around campus! thank you
Jessica k says
Hello, where did you get the sewing kit pictured?
Thank you!
Cheryle Gericke says
I have a similar kit but also includes a fold up pair of scissors, paper clips for holding papers together or unfolding for a hook, rubber gloves in a empty Kinder surprise egg, a cigarette lighter and a pencil, pen or sharpie. I have a couple one in the car, one in my handbag and where I work. Each has a couple of additional items eg as I work with kids the one at work contains a small pack of coloured crayons and a birthday candle 🙂
Glenda says
I use small bags for everything in my purse and one in the car. One tip I have is to use clear bags for some things so you can see what you’re looking for without emptying the whole case! I also use minimus.biz, it is great.
Wendy Campbell says
I travel a lot for work so need to go thru airports, so my version is a little paired down. It’s a little hard plastic snack box with band aids, alcohol wipes, tampon, mini sanitary napkin, mini (hotel) sewing kit, tweezers, nail clippers, mini splinter probe, ear plugs, panadol, antihistamines, tiny tube of cold sore cream, mini dental floss, sachet of sunscreen, a hair tie and glasses cleaning cloth. So handy, and while people have been known to laugh at me for being so organised, they appreciate a panadol (or whatever) at short notice! Glad to know there are others out there like me 🙂
bree worsley says
I always have a small superglue with me! Fixing broken heels on shoes or other emergency uses, always awesome to have on hand. I use it almost weekly:)
Arla says
Love it! Where did you get the personalized key ring? Nice personal touch!
Melanie says
I love this idea so much. I made one for me and under the christmas tree, there are 3 kits wrapped up for my best friend, cousin and sister-in-law. Great gifts! I added a travel-size deodorant as my cousin keeps forgetting to put some on… 🙂
sandee says
I only carry my purse and phone in my bag and Kleenex and feminine product in a back pocket I think I need to get one of these tho Are these medications in the US Benadryl, Gravol, Advil
Imodium quick dissolve tablets… what is this?? Tums also is a ??
We are from down under so thanks for explaining
great ideas love the tape measure idea and folding scissors
thanks
Bridget says
Advil is a US pain reliever, gravol is Canadian but it’s a motion sickness med, benadryl is allergy med, immodium is anti diarrhea, tums are antacid ?
Romany says
Great post, I definitely need to make a little kit like this for my handbag, there are always thing that I need on the go and end up having to buy despite having them at home. Thanks for sharing.
Wendi says
I love the kit. I do have one. I call it my survival kit. I have an emergency 20.00 and phone card, an extra pair of pantyhose, and socks. I carry wet ones wipes, and band-aids. I got my little sewing kit for 1.00 in one spot at target, when it was, but you can get them at dollar tree. I have the off towelettes so it doesn’t take up a lot of room, and you can wipe your face with them too. (careful not to get in your eyes) though, I also have tweezers and a change of undies for that unfortunate accident girls/women might have, an emergency couple of feminine products and panty liners.
Wendi says
I forgot the gauze and medical tape, neosporin to go, folding scissors, and non drowsy allergy and motion sickness meds, and pepto-bismol chewable tablets.
Dee Dee says
This is such a great idea and I have carried one for myself. Looking at this post made me think about making one for my husband and older son for their cars. They don’t carry purses but tend to use most of the items in mine, except for feminine hygiene products of course. I will make a version for them to keep nearby. Thanks for the post.