Perhaps I am confused on the point of this thread. Are we talking about items in our EDC and survival stash or is this something much broader?

Last year when we had the blizzard and lost power, our house became a house of refuge because we had a fireplace and fire wood. We also had candles, an oil lamp and flashlights. Most of us slept in the living room and for fun, my youngest sister Ellie and our friend Michelle were coming up with names for campfire songs.

This year when we were snowed in, as in the roads were not safe, we had power but no coffee. After several days I needed coffee.

Jeanette Isabelle

Jelly bellies and chocolate. With enough of both, I could conquer the known world.

A tin of fois gras and a jar of caramelised onion relish, with some high quality crackers. That my friends is what will let me pour scorn on the tuna pouches I see stashed so often :-)

Life being what you make it, one of my survival categories for EDC, BOB, and whatever other kits is "morale."

Not even black tea?? For several days?? Oh the horror, the horror.

They would be my sisters, Brittany and Ellie. After Dad died, my sisters and I had each other. That was it. Without them, what's the point?

On cold days, or days I am stressed, I need coffee.

Music.

Writing instruments (wordprocessor or a pen and notebook).

We had a local deli I could go to unwind when I was emotional. We don't have a place like that currently. There are other places where I feel comfortable such as Lion's Park, the local Dairy Queen and Poseys 'N' Partys Florist (no affiliation).

Jeanette Isabelle

Kippered snacks (an acquired taste), (if I still drank) old single-malt scotch straight-up, European dark chocolates. Quinine water for sipping on a hot muggy day, a good straw hat, old jeans. Coffee, black, hot, and strong.

Uncle Bill's silver grippers, nothing better for removing splinters, thorns, and fine work. Simple, functional beauty at a reasonable price.

For years SEALs made Butt Balm a mission critical item. Nothing I know of works better for keeping crotch corrosion and chafe away in and out of salt water, and when washing is simply not an option. Keep some handy and you will be walking normally when everyone else is walking like they just got off a horse.

Jamaican Inner Beauty hot sauce. Hot as napalm. Tasty enough to make eating a boot enjoyable. Haven't seen a bottle in years. Makes Tabasco taste like stump water.

A fine fountain pen and quality rag-cotton writing paper. Given the right writing tools a sociopath can compose romantic poetry.

Makes me think a nice group picture, perhaps with contact information on the reverse, laminated or otherwise protected, could enhance a kit - and perhaps be a welcome gift.

Would this be the item?:

http://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Bills-19074-Gripper-Tweezers/dp/B002LVUWK4/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Perhaps a worthy re-creation?:

http://www.hotsauce.com/Rasta-Fire-Hot-Sauce-p/1255.htm