Q:
My sister is celebrating her 30th birthday in Vegas in a few weeks and I am in charge of making a welcome gift for the guests. I would like to put together a Vegas survival kit as the gift. So far, I have come up with bottled water, aspirin, lip balm, and a snack to add to the kit. Is there anything that you or the other readers suggest I add to the survival kit?
A:
Sure. You're off to a good start, but here are some other things we thought of:
- Disposable camera -- If you each have one, someone will remember to take some snaps and no harm done if you leave it somewhere in all the excitement.
- Energy drink -- How about a can of Red Bull or Rock Star to set you up for the evening or pick you up the morning after?
- We haven't tried them so can't vouch for their effectiveness, but how about some of those NoHang hangover prevention pills? If they don't work, you'll still have the aspirin to resort to.
- Breath mints -- We like those liquid Ice Drops; the tiny bottle fits neatly in your purse and it's the next best thing to a toothbrush.
- Sunblock -- In Las Vegas, you should never take the sun for granted. You can pick up a miniature bottle of sunscreen in the section of the supermarket that sells, you know, miniature bottles of stuff.
- Cheap sunglasses -- Think Elton, think ZZ. Not only will they prevent nasty frown lines by eliminating the squinting, but they cover a multitude of sleepless nights while making you look aloof and glamorous. Of course, if they're really cheap, you can't lose them, even if you try.
- Condoms -- We don't mean to imply anything about your sister's character, but you are coming here to party, aren't you?
- Bandaids -- For the blisters you'll get from walking around ridiculously enormous casinos in your less-than-sensible shoes.
- Some of those Sarah Jessica Parker eyemask things, in case it's daylight by the time you get to bed.
- A spare liver.
If anyone has any other suggestions, let us know via the QoD submission link, and we'll add them as updates.
Update 27 February 2007
Editor's note: Thanks to everyone for all this feedback; a great response, as always. Note, however, that our understanding is that these kits need to be prepared in advance of the trip, or at least handed out immediately upon group arrival, so suggestions for rolls of nickels or casino chips or funbooks etc. aren't going to fly, as they can't be obtained in advance. Thanks to everyone who's suggesting an
LVA POV -- good call, but it depends how much this lady wishes to spend: A $37 membership per guest might be a bit steep. But on the other hand, if you're all here for a few days, you could easily recoup that and some.
AND MORE:
"Survival kit addition: lighters for smokers who had to surrender them at the airport. Perhaps some antacids for overeaters at the buffets."
"This is a helpful hint that an EMT friend of mine gave me that's good for any travel destination. Program a number into your cell phone under the heading ICE (In Case of Emergency): First responders often find cell phones but have no idea who to call when scrolling through the address book. I believe this idea has been surfacing in chain e-mails and such as well but it bears repeating. Also, make sure your survival pack contains a lighter or matches, even if you don't smoke: it can be a great ice-breaker. If you're not trying to break the ice with a smoker, pack a small no smoking sign, I guess!"
MORE CONTRIBUTIONS:
"Here in Hawaii (where going to Vegas is very popular) we have a belief that red underwear brings you luck. I just made a gift bag/kit for friends going to Vegas -- it had red boxers, a CD of vegas-themed tunes (see previous QOD 6/3/2006), and $21 (seven pulls on a Megabucks)."
"For the survivial guide: The current issue of Las Vegas Advisor! Duh.
"For the 'survival kit' question: A small roll of 'Tums' or 'Rolaids' to have after a great meal or buffet."
"Immodium. (there's nothing worse than having the runs in Vegas. Plus, you're eating a lot of foods that you're not used to. The dollar store has them for a buck for a pack of 6)."
"Just another additoin to the LV survival kit. Saline nasal spray -- $2.99 at Walgreens. The casino air is so dry. This would go with the Visine suggestion.
"I always take a small bottle of Febreeze so my clothes can be sprayed before I put them in the suitcase to eliminate the smoky smells!!"
"For the survival kit, I'd add a clothespin or two (maybe tie a little curling ribbon on for glamour-ha) for closing the inevitable gaps in hotel draperies that allow those pesky little rays of light in to disturb your sleep.
02/26/2007 This is, we think, the first time we've added an "Update" before an answer's even run, but the suggestions are coming in already. Thanks to all for the following:
- "Make a list of cell phone numbers of everyone in your party, including the Las Vegas non-emergency police number which is 311, and have everyone put it in their wallets. It is very easy to get separted from each other in the casinos and airports. This came in handy a few times when my girlfriends and I were in Vegas.
- "1. A map (floor plan) of the casino
2. A map of the Strip, downtown, or other areas of interest to the group"
- "I'd add to the current question a small hand sanitizer, especially since many people get theirs taken at the airport (I did)."
- "Add Visine to your survival kit. We know you'll be up all night -- you just won't look like it."
- "Concerning the "survival kit" question, I would recommend a blackjack basic strategy card and maybe some of Dancer's video poker strategy cards."
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