ivoux Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 I'm realitivley new to Geocaching,I've found 5 or 6 caches now. I've seen a wide range of things in the caches, from good (victorymike's chain mail keychains) to bad (change, and "free soda" bottle tops). So my question is what are good inexpensive items to put in caches that appeal to all ages. I'd like to find a "signature" item, but I'm at a loss for ideas. What do YOU leave in caches? Quote Link to comment
+TEAM 360 Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 I have been thinking of getting a stamp with the TEAM 360 name and stamping $1 bills, I could leave one in the cache, almost regardless of the cache size. Everyone likes money, so I figure I can't go wrong, and it would be neat to see if they ever showed up at a local grocery store, etc, when you get change...up till now, I have been hitting the local Dollar Store for goodies, keychains, mini-slinkys, small stuffed animals, etc.... Quote Link to comment
+Matt1344 Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 As long as a bunch of people in your area aren't leaving them, geocaching buttons are great! You can even get personalized ones as a signature item. They're pretty cheap, too . . . Quote Link to comment
+worldtraveler Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 While I suppose it qualifies as "change", I usually leave an assortment of foreign coins as my signature item. I leave them becauseThey will fit in any cacheThey aren't damaged by extreme heat, cold, or moistureThey won't profit a cache thiefBoth kids and adults seem to like them; according to the cache logs, they usually get picked up pretty quick. Worldtraveler Quote Link to comment
ivoux Posted May 14, 2003 Author Share Posted May 14, 2003 Actually I was talking about local (US in my case) currency (nickles & dimes etc). I personally havn't run across any foreign currency, and its something different. I think alot of what I'm seeing is probably "I forgot to bring a trinket, and my child wanted something from the cache" quote:Originally posted by worldtraveler:While I suppose it qualifies as "change", I usually leave an assortment of foreign coins as my signature item. I leave them because+ They will fit in any cache+ They aren't damaged by extreme heat, cold, or moisture+ They won't profit a cache thief+ Both kids and adults seem to like them; according to the cache logs, they usually get picked up pretty quick. Worldtraveler Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 A partial list of things I've left in caches: US flags flag pins modeling clay Energizer squeeze lights stickers for kids (butterfiles, dinosauers, etc...) antique post cards bags of toy soldiers pocket knives (um I mean tools) Crayola water colors sets mini screwdriver sets allen wrench sets boxes of gel pens boxes of crayons or colored chalk emergency rain ponchos packs of AA batteries collectable coins (buffalo nickels, indian head pennies, SBA or Sacagawea dollars) bag of plastic dinosaurs Music CD's Blank RW CD's Cassettes (blank and recorded) calculators clip on safety strobes bungee cords "euro" stickers decals maps (hiking & road) software Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars Key rings Foreign money Movies on VHS & DVD Office supplies (boxes of paper clips, push pins, thumb tacks, etc...) Individually wrapped Armor-All towlettes Wheresgeorge bills Wheresgeorge stamps & inkpads emergency "space blankets" geocaching.com hats, patches, stickers & keychain compasses recipe cards gently used paperback books Quote Link to comment
+Squirrel Nut & Beersnob Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 ivoux - Hi! Feel free to join other Michiganders at the Michigan Geocaching Orginization! As far as good trade items go, just use common sence. Pick things that you would like to see in caches. Libaray booksales are great places to pick up paperbacks (for larger caches). Church rummage sales might be good places to look for interesting inexpensive stuff. I've gone through stuff I got at one point in time and will never really use again, and places it in cahces. Stuff like tiny beanie babies still in their bags, miniature baskets, packets/ strings of cool beads, etc. Just be sure what you leave is at least an even trade for what you take, and that it's in good condition. Signature items tend to come from someone's interests, hobbies, talents, or just something random that seems cool. I collect squirrel figurines, etc, so that's where I started. I eventually found that Belarus had currency with a squirrel on it, and a place to get 100 of said notes for about $9. Some people/teams use wooden nickles with their geocaching name. Check out aardvark-mi'swebsite for a few examples of other sig items in MI... I walk the Maze of Moments, but everywhere I turn to, begins a new beginning, but never finds a finish... -Enya, Anywhere Is Quote Link to comment
enfanta Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 ouch! I've left those "free soda" caps before! I'd be happy to find one after a long and arduous search. One man's trash... ... can fill a cache! What appears to be coming at you is coming from you. Quote Link to comment
+Team GPSaxophone Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 I'm nearing 100 finds, so I'm planning on buying a large quantity of Saxophone pins. Maybe I'll number them. Quote Link to comment
+bigredmed Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 quote:Originally posted by enfanta:ouch! I've left those "free soda" caps before! I'd be happy to find one after a long and arduous search. One man's trash... ... can fill a cache! A free soda cap coupon is of value and I wouldn't consider it trash either, unless it was no longer valid. The thing I would suggest is the signature item. Something that only you leave, that can be personalized, and (best case) can be individualized to the cache (you can write the originating cache on it.) I have used poker chips, foreign coins, and business cards made at kinkos. One place I have had good luck in is big hardware store sales. They always have a screwdriver sale with small handtools real cheap. Bought a bunch of them last time for about a buck each. Let's see, I have my fire-retardant keyboard and monitor, therefore I am ready to read the flames, I mean messages in the forum. Quote Link to comment
+Tsegi Mike and Desert Viking Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 We've left foreign coins (unusual ones, not from Mexico or Canada) and old African/Venetian trade beads. The response has been so-so on those, so we are about to *debut* our new signature item. We spent a long time deciding on our designed item. We opted for one that is unique yet can still be varied a little bit to increase their desirability. We'll post pictures when the sig item is ready. That moss-covered bucket I hailed as a treasure, For often at noon, when I returned from the field, I found it the source of an exquisite pleasure. Samuel Woodworth The Old Oaken Bucket Quote Link to comment
FISUR Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 See below [This message was edited by FISUR on May 16, 2003 at 03:41 PM.] Quote Link to comment
FISUR Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Aardvark's collection is quite impressive. For additional examples of signature items, check out the Geo-Creations and Geocoin Designs sections of our home page. Team FISUR Rhode Island Geocaching Quote Link to comment
FISUR Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Man, this is not working for me today. Quote Link to comment
DudeZilla Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Today I left something that I felt was completely appropriate for the cache. The cache was yoda's and it was located next to a bog. So I brought a new container of powerful insect repellent -just in case someone at this cache forgot theirs. Quote Link to comment
Eeyore and Shadow Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 The simplest way to determine what you should put in a cache is to ask yourself if you would take the same item from a cache. I also think the free soday bottle caps are a good item. they are free and worth something. And a cold soda on the drive home is much better than finishing your luke warm water. Eeyore I'm one sat short of triangulation. Quote Link to comment
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