Ideas for Reading in Bed Survival Kit

[Jace]

For holiday gifts, I'm making a bunch of "Reading Under the Covers Survival Kits" and wondering if any of you fabulous and creative ladies have more ideas of things to include?

Right now, I'm including:

• Mini-mag flashlight (the kind that takes 2 AA batteries) in a floral print
• 2 AA batteries, tied together with ribbon
• an altered altoids tin with 6 dove chocolates (because every survival kit should have chocolate)
• stamped bookmarks (three per kit)
• a pocket-sized tissue pack (you know, for when - after many trials and tribulations - the boy finally gets the girl)

I'm putting everything in holiday-patterened heavy cardboard boxes I found (for very cheap) at Ocean State Job Lot and I'm making them BYOB (Bring Your Own Book).

Any suggestions for additional items - whether stamped or not stamped?

Thanks!
Jeanne

[CardFanatic]

What a cute and creative idea!

[cramgal]

I know that you can buy booklights at Walmart for under $5. You could throw in one of those small packages of individual Crystal light drink mixes. They are dry and you add them to bottled water. There are also sport drink ones, chocolate milk, and juice ones. You could also do an individual cocoa or coffee mixes. Just a thought. Thanks for this very creative idea!!

[Nikki S]

You could also add a little container of smelly good lotion and a chapstick (or similar). I put on lotion before I start to read and my lips always need a little pampering! Happy Holidays! Nikki

[hedgiemama]

This is a delightful idea.
Chapstick and hand lotion.
A gift card for a book store.
Some kind of small journal to make lists of books/authors that she loved, and those she did not.

[hedgiemama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikki S

You could also add a little container of smelly good lotion and a chapstick (or similar). I put on lotion before I start to read and my lips always need a little pampering! Happy Holidays! Nikki

Nikki you were reading my mind!!

[PMR]

I gave my sil a book gift basket last year. I bought a gift card, some hand lotion and some of those gloves to keep the hand lotion on, I am not sure what they are called.

[lcmdws]

A friend of mine gave me a green plastic thing for my thumb for turning pages - its called the "Thumb Thing" for reading... web sites on packaging is : www.fun-n-nuf.com and www.thumbthing.com - cute idea - have fun.

[AlternateReality]

What a fabulous gift idea! Maybe add a nice little cotton tea/kitchen towel to wipe away or catch the crumbs from the snacking that often goes with reading in bed... you could even stamp a fancy design on it if you use permanent ink!

[diane617]

OMG I love this idea. My thought was the water.

[Jace]

These are great ideas! I'm definitely going to put in a few hot cocoa packets (since I have them in the house!) tied with ribbon and pick up a few other things from these tips later this week!

And why didn't I even think of a gift card?! Sheesh. The more "special" boxes will get a Barnes and Noble gift card (best part? Each will fit in the altered altoid tin on top of the chocolates!)

Any more ideas, please shout 'em out!
Jeanne

[gerrier2]

Great idea. Thanks for sharing

[montistamper]

Bookplates, that say this book belongs to: . You could buy them or make them yourself if you have that type of stamp, or there are websites you can print them off of.

[stamp1]

How about some little flax seed filled heat packs - the kind you put in the microwave - for keeping feet warm. My cousin made some in muslin bags with fleece covers. They're wonderful!!!

[purplewinkle]

How about a journal to keep track of which books were read, authors, likes, and books I wanna read?

[Tilly]

1. How about a little bottle of Lavender Oil to sprinkle on the pillow AFTER reading in bed? It's very relaxing and helps you get to sleep.
2. Make a canvas or heavy cotton tote bag (or buy a plain one) and stamp on it, sew onto it, or applique the word "BOOKS" or "BOOK BAG". It can be used for library books or just for carrying books.
3. Free printable book plates here - mostly for children but some lovely ones for 'big kids' too: http://www.myhomelibrary.org/colour.php
My 2c worth.
Thanks for sharing the great ideas above everyone. Wonderful gift for a booklover.
Tilly

[snowcountry311]

i would include a personalized stamp.... this book belongs to "her name". when you use bookplates or store bought stamps you still need to write your name in each book. my son has over 3000 books to his name. i had his stamp made when he was 4. it is still in use.

[diane617]

stopped by my LSS and she had cigar boxes to decoupage-I think that might be a good size.

[Movin'Mel]

Subscribing

[Emerald Tigger]

Wonderful ideas

Thank you very much for sharing

[Runamok]

thanks for this great idea--I am making three of them for my sisters! I aam using a lot of everyone's ideas, plus I am going to put in some hard candies that will last thorugh many pages. I am also thinking about a bag of microwave popcon and hair ties so their hair won't get mussed much if they are under the blankets.

[BilliePam]

What a FANTASTIC idea! Know I already know what I am going to give for Christmas next year.

This year I gave Popcorn Buckets (compliments of the Target $1 spot ~ although I saw them a few days ago at the Dollar Store 2 for $1), a couple bags of Popcorn, Movie Candies (Wal Mart 88 cents) and either Movie Tickets or a Blockbuster Gift Card for my friends who already belong to NetFlix or Blockbuster Online. I put the Gift Cards in a altered Altoids Box. I gave this to a few of my friends when I was exchanging gifts and I sent one to my future daughter-in-law. They were a bif hit!

So, next year I have to think up a good book for each person on my list and use the ideas you guys have given, which are great! The Thumb Thing is fantastic and I'll have to keep my eyes open for cigar boxes! The bookplates are a neat idea too-I have some that I bought at the Norfolk Zoo, but I am about to run out. I always put them on the books that I send to my grandson.

Thanks for all of your terrific ideas. Hope everyone has had a merry Christmas and will have a Happy New Year!!!

[diane617]

Jace! just wanted to thank you for the great idea. I used it for 3 people and they loved it. I only took pics of the last one. Haven't uploaded yet. I used a cigar sized box I got at LSS and found some small bottles of water that just fit.

[diane617]

Here's a link to the box and
the bookmarks

Thanks Jace!!!!

[amymcgs]

LOVE this idea-- I wish someone would make one for me! ;)

[Jace]

Diane - The cigar box is wonderful for the kit! Yours came out so well - I'm going to have to watch for them. My kits were also a big success, although in the holiday rush, I never took any pictures.

And... thanks to everyone for all the great ideas - I used a bunch of them! I'm so glad I posted the question and that others were able to make the idea their own!

[birdbathlady]

This is a GREAT idea and I only hope I remember how to find the thread next fall when I'm planning for Christmas gifts! If someone locates "the thumb thing" please post the info.