Thursday, February 24, 2011

Newlywed Survival Kit

My brother-in-law is getting married in three weeks! So excited for him!

So I had the idea, to make him and his fiance a Newlywed Survival Kit, as wedding present. Basically a kit of things to get you through the first year of marriage.

So far I have...

A Dave Ramsey Book, because money is a major source of newlywed and marital conflict.


My two favorite cleaning products, Bar Keeper's Friend and Castile Soap, becauase we fought a lot about chores in the first year and these products make chores a lot easier!





And some dishtowels off their registry to go along with the cleaning products.





A couples' devotional book, Night Light, because reading and praying together can do wonders.


A Cookbook, because cooking together and cooking for each other is such a fun part of being a newlywed.



And I'm going to put it all in a cleaning bucket, because that's a great way to store cleaning supplies.



I want to add a couple more $5-$15 items, but I can't think of what else to add! What else would you add to a Newlywed Survival Kit?*

*Nothing to racy, ok? This is my husband's brother we're talking about here.

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

What about a game? Something they can play together or with their friends? Like Uno or checkers/chess, Scrabble? My husband and I recently started playing games together rather than watch TV every night.

Anonymous said...

I like the games. WHat about a bottle of wine? To relax together, maybe their first night in their place as married couple? That's what we did.

Jessica said...

Cute idea! Maybe some nice candles (for the romantic nights) or cute His-n-Her aprons for cooking together? Congrats to your brother in law!

Anonymous said...

I like both of those ideas. Maybe even a gift card to there favorite place to eat. Or a movie gift card.

Ally said...

So creative! Maybe some champagne?

Victoria said...

I like all the ideas above - I was going to say a gift card(s) to places they could go on a date night or something... @Courtney beat me to it. :)

This is such a cute idea; I wish I knew someone getting married so I could steal it!! =P

Laura said...

I have this travel book and its all these day trips you can do around our part of Texas. I don't know if that is something they would be into or not. But the hubby and I love it. When we don't have something to do and don't want to stay home it gives us all these places we can go right around us. So its a inexpensive way to getaway for the day. And not far into that rut of the same ol thing each weekend.

Mama Mahvelous said...

I love this idea! I think gift cards are great - grocery stores, Target...less waste and lets them choose what they need. Also, something I loved getting was a subscription to a CSA. It was so great to put healthy eating as a priority for us as a new family. It's more than $15...but a cool gift to receive for sure.

Katie said...

movie tickets for a date night?
mag subscription? (one for each?)

fun idea!

P said...

Movie passes so they can take themselves on a date after they're worn out from budgeting, cooking, and cleaning! :)

Meghan said...

Cute idea! What about a fun movie and some candy and popcorn? Or a bottle of wine/champagne?

Linda said...

Great ideas. I'm going to repeat some of the previous ideas-movie passes, gift certificate to dinner, a Netflix subscription.

Anonymous said...

You are so creative...what a great idea! I'm going to have to copy it. lol I like the idea addition of a game to play and a bottle of wine to drink together. : )

Emily said...

This is such a great and cute idea! I like the idea of including a game or something fun-maybe a funny movie and a blanket to snuggle up together in, or a fun game to play together! :)

Anna said...

This is such a great idea! I know I'm echoing the comments of some earlier readers, but I think a gift card for a restaurant (date nights are important even after you're married!), game to play together, and maybe a photo album they can use to remember all the fun things and "firsts" they experience during their first year of marriage.

Miss Chelsea said...

Cute idea! I agree with what someone said above - some sort of game or deck of cards to remind them to have fun!

averyswifeliz said...

How about Hershey's Chocolate kisses to remind them to always give kisses/show the love.

Newlyweds on a Budget said...

very cute idea! i like the gift certificate idea and bottle of wine. I've also included cupcake mix and hot cocoa mix from TJ Maxx, they have a whole section with gourmet items for about $5-15

chelsea said...

I love Cooking Light Fresh Food Fast and the book The Five Love Languages.

Brittany said...

I gave my SIL something similar as an engagement present! I'm all about it! I might add cute rubber dish type gloves (to protect the ring). I just read Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work and found it a really useful book-it identifies predictors of divorce and it reinforces all of the things you do "right" and helps you watch out for potential pitfalls. It's not spiritual-it's very practical for anyone of any faith. I also made a "cook book" of "secret family recipes," which was actually to-go menus from local restaurants. It was meant as a joke, but she was new to the area at the time, so it actually ended up coming in handy! It sounds like you've already got a lot of really great stuff in your gift basket, I think they will love it!

Mrs. Puma said...

I really like all the above ideas so far! I'd add his & hers coffee mugs, a spice collection or maybe some essential tools (flashlight, screwdriver/drill, level, even some of the 3M hooks).

Sara said...

I would add a game, maybe something cheeky like Twister. :) Also, the Five Love Languages is a great book for new-ish couples.

The Shabby Princess said...

What about some popcorn and maybe a DVD or movie passes or something? My husband and I really enjoyed our at home movie nights when we first got married.

The Shabby Princess said...

PS. That's a really sweet gift you're putting together for them!

Allyce said...

This is such a great idea and how personalized! Love it! I love a lot of the suggestions including a DVD or movie passes. I wonder if you can get a Netflix subscription as a gift? We loved our in-home dates so much too! Or a nice bottle of wine to while they cook one of the meals from the book? Always nice to have wine on hand! ;)

Anonymous said...

What a great idea! You're an awesome sister-in-law!

Rachel (Diary of a Recovering Chocoholic) said...

Very cute! I love gift baskets. I may have to borrow this for my friends wedding in September. Someone gave us an "Italian Dinner Gift basket" complete with pasta, sauce, cheese and red dish towels from our registry. Maybe include some frames for their wedding photos or an album prompting them to do the 365 photo challenge for their first year of marriage.

● C E L I N A ● said...

This is such a cute idea!
That would have been awesome to receive. We did receive several spiritual books that my Husband and I read through together and that really helps.

I am a new reader!

♥ theMRS.


Watch me eat with my {HANDS}

Jessica @ Wanting Adventure said...

What a great idea! I can't think of anything else you should add - but maybe another comment will give you a good idea. What a fun present!

Unknown said...

Maybe a bottle of wine? With a cheesy line like "When you feel like whining about each other, just sit down and wine together!"

I know, cheesy...haha.

Ker said...

Great idea, you are so thoughtful! I agree that movie passes or a $15 gift certificate to a restaurant chain also near them, something they could use on a night out once they are in post-wedding mode. Maybe something with their new monogram or last name engraved on it (We got a cute engraved door knocker as a gift at our wedding, I am sure you could find something similar for $15). Also a bottle of wine or prosecco if they drink.
kerryandscott.blogspot.com

Jess said...

That is a great idea I loves it!!!
I say put an marriage inspired movie, something like fireproof (the acting is not that good but the message in it is beautiful). Gift cards sounds nice too.
:)

Ker said...

Ooh or depending where they're going for their honeymoon, if its somewhere outside the US, maybe $10 or $15 in the currency from that country (i.e. euros if going somewhere in Europe, pesos if going to Mexico, etc). Just enough for a drink or snack somewhere when they arrive.

Pamela said...

the mr & mrs q&A game!?

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

Maybe something fun, like a game, puzzle or a fun mix cd with all kinds of cute songs.

Lori said...

This is such a terrific idea. My SIL loves to make survival kits. I'm sure she would include a board game, a baby names book (just in case), a popcorn/movie for date night and my favorite idea: a binder compilation of takeout menus in the area where the couple lives!

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d.a.r. said...

That is such a cute idea!!!

Jennie Lee Williams said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jennie Lee Williams said...

Great work! I've been married since July, and we literally read THAT Dave Ramsey book :) I'd also add a free trial of Netflix - we can't live without it!

http://loveandweddings.blogspot.com

tootie said...

I LOVE this idea! I may have to steal it :)

Kate said...

Love this idea! And I love all of the things that you added. I wish that we had read Dave Ramsey's book BEFORE we got married!

And I agree with the suggestion of adding a game that they can play together!

Unknown said...

I love the items that you have selected, especially the Dave Ramsey Book. Dave Ramsey has helped us immensely. I think I am going to borrow some of your other ideas for a shower I am going to but I gave the couple that book about a year ago so I will have to find them something else. Thanks for sharing!

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