Gift Idea: How to Make a Female-Friendly Survival Kit

Outdoor survival kits typically contain everything you need for roughening it in the wilderness. A compass, waterproof matches and small knife are often included. Unless the girls and women in your life find themselves face-to-face with a bear on a daily basis, they won't have much use for the kit. Instead, make a female-friendly survival kit that includes everything she does need for both major and minor emergencies.

First, find a case for the survival kit. Depending on the number of things you put inside, a plastic zippered cosmetic case should be sufficient. Make the case small enough that she can easily toss it in her car or backpack for frequent use. Customize the case based on her interests. Professionals might like a leather case, while a teenage girl prefers one with images of Hello Kitty.

Visit the travel section of your favorite big box store, like Target or Wal-Mart. Look at what the store has available and what fits inside the survival kit. Choose items for hair emergencies, like a compact or folding hairbrush and a small bottle of hairspray or hair gel. Emery boards, nail polish remover wipes, and nail clippers complete the hair and beauty section.

Add things to the survival kit that she needs regularly. A small bottle of pain reliever or packets of aspirin help with emergency headaches, while a travel-size deodorant lets her touch-up on the go. Clear nail polish stops nails from chipping, but also battles pantyhose runs in a pinch.

Include a few items that help with dental hygiene, such as a small tube of toothpaste, a travel toothbrush, dental floss, and breath mints. Whether she stayed out all night with friends or ran out of time first thing in the morning, she will appreciate the chance to freshen up quickly.

A girl-friendly survival kit should also include items that come in handy during an accident. A small sewing kit lets her quickly repair frays, loose stitches, and small holes. Adhesive bandages and alcohol wipes let her clean-up and bandage minor wounds, including scrapes and scratches.

If you have enough room in the survival kit, include a small tube of hand lotion or moisturizer and a few tampons or maxi pads. A lint brush and stain remover wipes or a stain remover pen lets her battle stains and pet hair, no matter where she is in the world.

Finish off your girl-friendly survival kit with a few energy bars or candy bars. Don't forget to add a note or card that lets her know everything she has inside her emergency kit.