Stocking stuffers: you either love them or you groan at the thought of shopping for them. If you have multiple stockings to stuff, it can get overwhelming and sometimes expensive. Then take into consideration the kind of stuff to get. I decided to create a list that will not only help you shop for the prepper in your life, it will also cover dads, uncles, cousins, aunts, and any other self-sufficient type of person you know. Starting with a special stocking itself, I broke it down into categories to help you budget better and stretch that dollar. As today is Cyber Monday, it is likely the prices on certain items may be even lower.
The Prepper’s Stocking – This is where it begins: The stocking itself. For less than $20.00, it is a great gift for the prepper, homesteader, survivalist, or outdoorsman who has it all.
There are some items, included in the list below, that are inexpensive and you can really never have too many of. Mylar or “space” blankets would be one of them. Since they are a one time use and can tear easily, it just makes sense to buy a couple of 10 packs and be done with it! I really hope this list helps to spark your imagination and sense of adventure while also taking some of the stress out of what to get for stocking stuffers.
PLEASE NOTE: 99% of the items listed below are Amazon links and filtered for high reviews (if I did not already own it myself) and PRIME membership for the free shipping feature.
The List
Always make sure to double check the price before adding to the cart!
Under $5.00
P-38 or P-51 Military Can Opener
Survival Military Paracord Bracelet – These can be unraveled and provide life saving, durable rope/cording when you need it!
Multi-Function Survival Pocket Tool – We own these and the husband has used his. Mine was taken out of my wallet when I went on a flight (I mean, really? The hairclip the lady in front of me was wearing could be used to stab someone in the neck but you’re going to take my metal multi tool used for screws, nuts, and bolts? Thank you TSA…)
Magnesium Fire Starter – A basic set up but it’ll do in a pinch!
Emergency Duct Tape – What survival pack is complete without this must have item?
Under $10.00
10-Pack Mylar Emergency Blankets
Oxygen Absorbers – For food storage
Compact Butterfly Can Openers – Small, lightweight, and easy to carry, many find these easier to use than the P-38 or P-51 can openers.
Paracord (50′ and 100′ packs) – Rated to hold up to 550 pounds of weight, a bundle of strong paracord is lightweight and has endless uses!
Stormproof Matches – These hardcore matches will burn in wind and rain and almost guarantee your ability to get a fire started.
Hand and Foot Warmers
Emergency Shelter – You can get better ones of course but anything is better than nothing!
Under $15.00
20-Pack Mylar Emergency Blankets
1 Gallon Mylar Bags w/ Oxygen Absorbers – While this may be a little hard to fit into a stocking, it is still something that will be well received. You can never have enough! These are 5 mil for extra strength, too!
Pocket Chainsaw w/ Pouch – Mister Dreamer loves this tool! It makes short work of saplings to make a frame for a shelter with or on limbs of fallen trees for firewood. At just over $10, it is a great deal on an easy to pack item.
Compass – This one is kind of a no brainer. 😉
Higher End ($15 – $35)
Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System – We personally own several of these and have used the ones in our hiking packs several times. It is a truly wonderful invention and gives great peace of mind in a survival (or even hiking) situation. I cannot recommend this product enough! Also comes in multi-packs which lowers the price per filter as well!
Lifestraw Personal Water Filter – We own and have used these as well. The first of its kind, the Lifestraw has been used the world over to help people get access to clean, safe drinking water.
Nexcon Solar Charger – One of the highest rated solar chargers for your phone on Amazon, this was on a serious sale at the time of posting. Normally $100!!
SOL Origin Survival Kit – I personally own this. It was a gift to me last year in my stocking from my husband and I.Love.It! I carry it with me every day and it has been used more than once. When it comes to survival, this will help you figure out where you are, start a fire, signal airplanes, start a fire, catch a fish, and even set a snare. It even has a knife so you can process whatever you snare and cook it over the fire you started. Truly a great item that fits in your hand!
Purefire Tactical Folding Fire Starter – MADE IN THE U.S.A! These magnesium rods give you the most wonderful scrapings that easily catch on fire and burn HOT! We had the pleasure of reviewing of them and wrote about it here.
Hand Crank Flashlight/Charger/Radio – With high reviews, this handy multi-function item doesn’t need batteries and even comes with a siren to bring help to you!
MSR Rocket Stove – This handy little item is well known to most preppers and backpackers. Don’t forget the fuel!
Spoiled Rotten ($50 and up)
MSR Sweetwater Microfilter – This little hand cranked water filtration system is one of my favorite pieces of camping equipment. Not kidding at all, this hand held, hand cranked item really puts out the clean water fast! We have owned and used it on numerous camping trips. We had to filter some semi brackish water one time and it handled it like a champ. Complete with a cleaning kit to keep it going, anyone who finds this in their stocking is truly spoiled rotten!
Goal Zero Switch 8 Solar Recharging Kit – Ohhhh boy, this is NICE. Yes, we have one but only because it was a wedding gift. It is, by far, the nicest of the solar chargers we own and it really does all it claims. We recharged both phones from dead and it still had some power to give. I love the fact you can plug in while it is still sitting in the sun, too! In my opinion, anything Goal Zero
Jetboil Flash Personal Cooking System – I wish I owned one of these! I have seen it in use and enjoyed some noodles with the water that boiled extremely fast using this system. If you find this stuffed in your stocking, you must have been a perfect angel!