18 Practical Items to Put in Any Hangover Recovery Kit

Co-authored by Murphy Perng and Madeleine Flamiano

Last Updated: February 20, 2023 References

Hangover kits are a thoughtful party favor, since they help make the morning after any fun night out all the more bearable. A useful and memorable gift, these kits are great for weddings, bachelor and bachelorette parties, birthdays, and more. Given the amount of options out there, you might need some help narrowing down what to include. No worries—we’ve created this list of the best options to help get you started. From remedies to practical gifts, read on to learn what to put in your hangover kits!

Things You Should Know

Add drinks and snacks to help ease the hangover. For an extra boost, include headache and stomach medication to soothe pain and nausea.
Drop in some practical items like toiletries, band-aids, barf bags, and sunscreen.
Customize bags by adding the newlyweds' names or silly phrases. The cute souvenirs will remind your guests of the fun night for years to come.

1

Painkillers

Treat headaches and body aches with NSAIDs. Medications like ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen are all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that can treat inflammation caused by hangovers. To avoid any further nausea, eat a snack first; NSAIDs can be tough on an empty stomach.^{[1]
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Harvard Medical School
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- Though painkillers containing acetaminophen are typically interchangeable with NSAIDs, avoid them for hangover recovery. Both acetaminophen and alcohol can impact liver function.^{[2]
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  Harvard Medical School
  Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
  Go to source}

2

Heartburn and Nausea Remedies

Provide over-the-counter medication for upset stomachs. Alcohol prompts the production of more stomach acid and delays emptying, which irritates the stomach lining. Give your guests antacids for heartburn, and offer anti-nausea medicines or motion-sickness medicines for any nausea or dizziness resulting from an upset stomach.^{[3]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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- Peppermint and ginger are natural remedies soothing the stomach. Add sachets of ginger or peppermint tea or a bottle of ginger ale to help alleviate any lingering nausea.
- Include a bottle of peppermint essential oil for a type of aromatherapy that relieves nausea.^{[4]
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  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
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3

Vitamin C Packets

Vitamin C gives the immune system a much-needed boost. Drinking alcohol can weaken your body’s defenses against any diseases floating around. Vitamin C, on the other hand, can assist in staving off next-day sniffles.^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} Drop some vitamin C packets into your kits to help your guests stay healthy.

4

Water

Hydration is key to feeling better, so include lots of liquids. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it dulls the hormone that tells your brain to retain water. This leads you to urinate more, ultimately causing dehydration. The best way to cure a hangover is to rest and drink lots of water to replenish the lost fluids.^{[6]
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- Add drinks rich in electrolytes such as sports drinks, oral electrolyte solutions, or over-the-counter medications used to restore fluids and balance key minerals in your body.^{[7]
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- It is best to try to avoid drinks like coffee and highly caffeinated soft drinks, as these can leave you feeling even more dehydrated.

5

Snacks

Carb-filled snacks will help your guests feel better. Include crackers, chips, rice cakes, or other small foods that are easy on the stomach. Foods high in carbohydrates can help restore electrolytes and soak up some of the alcohol from the night before.^{[8]
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- Bananas are great for hangovers, as they are potassium rich and good for restoring electrolytes.^{[9]
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- Provide vouchers or recommendations to nearby restaurants that serve hangover-friendly foods like eggs, salmon, carbs, or brothy soups.
- Avoid anything with a high sugar content. It can cause you to feel lightheaded, irritable and even anxious.
- If you need food delivered, check out our coupon site for DoorDash.

6

Caffeine

Leave some instant coffee packets or tea bags to perk people up. It’s normal to feel exhausted after a night out, but a quick cup of coffee or tea can give some much needed pep. It’s important to remember that caffeine is dehydrating, just like alcohol, so be sure to follow up any lattes with water.^{[10]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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- As a bonus, give out gift cards to local coffee shops or popular chains, especially if guests will be on the road or at the airport after a night out.

7

Nips of Alcohol

Add small drinks to help delay hangovers. Known as the hair-of-the-dog method, some people swear by it to recover from a hangover. Consider including mini alcohol bottles in your hangover kits. Use them for healing purposes or maybe just save them for the next time you go out.
- Keep in mind, doctors don’t typically recommend this method. It may put off the symptoms of a hangover in the moment, but they will catch up eventually. Plus, frequent use could be a sign of alcohol dependence.^{[11]
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8

Toiletries

Add some basic items for hygiene maintenance. Whether the next day is for travel or more partying, everyone will feel better after a quick refresh. Add items like makeup remover wipes, hair ties, lip balm, and travel-size mouthwash to help hungover friends and family feel a little more put together.

9

Gum and Mints

Cover sour breath with minty freshness. Alcohol makes your mouth dry. Because the mouth is lacking in saliva, bacteria grows and makes breath less than stellar.^{[12]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Throw in some mint candies or gum to help your guests get rid of their alcohol breath. The flavor will also help them feel a bit fresher.
- Breath spray and breath strips will have the same effect.

10

Hand Sanitizer

Stop the spread of germs with sanitizer. Depending on the size of an event, you and your guests may come in contact with a lot of people. More people means more potential for sicknesses to spread. Include travel-sized bottles of hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to help your guests stay healthy.^{[13]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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11

Eye Drops

Prevent dry eyes with lubricating drops. Red eyes are a tell-tale sign of a hangover. Eye drops can help your guests manage that side effect, especially if they have to be up for work or another event the next day. Plus, the drops will soothe any irritation that comes with dry eyes.^{[14]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Chain pharmacies often carry many types of eye drops, including their own brand.

12

Bandages

Include bandages for any accidental scrapes. A little first aid adds practicality to any hangover kit. Drop in some bandages for guests to protect and heal any small cuts or blisters they get from partying the night away.^{[15]
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13

Sunscreen

For events in the sun, travel-size sunscreen can be a life-saver. Sunscreen can be easy to forget at home. If your event takes place on the beach, at the pool, or otherwise outside, add some sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to your hangover kits.^{[16]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source} Your guests’ skin will thank you.
- Sunscreen packets are also available as a convenient alternative.
- After a couple drinks, your guests may forget to reapply sunscreen as they play in the sun. Consider also tossing in some aloe vera gel just in case. Aloe vera has soothing properties that can help ease the pain from a sunburn.^{[17]
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  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}

14

Tissues

A travel pack of tissues makes a great multipurpose gift. You never know when a guest may need a tissue, so including a small pack will be much appreciated. Use them for blowing noses, dabbing up small spills, or wiping away tears when emotions run high.^{[18]
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- Order customized packs in bulk to match the theme of your event as another fun option.

15

Warm & Cozy Accessories

Fuzzy slippers and socks will let your guests recover in comfort. A cute sleep mask or a hydrating face mask will also help your guests to some self care. These little treats can make that wretched morning after better, and hydrating face remedies can reduce skin dehydration and puffiness.^{[19]
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16

Sunglasses

Dark sunnies help with light sensitivity. While staying home in a darkened room may be the best remedy for sensitive eyes, sometimes people still need to get up and go. Toss in a pair of basic shades so guests can have an easier time when they enter the bright world the next day.
- Personalized sunglasses also make a quirky accessory for photos and a great souvenir.^{[20]
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  MedlinePlus
  Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine
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17

Barf Bags

In case nausea can't wait, a plastic bag will come in handy. Outfit yourself and your guests with easily disposable barf bags for any missed trips to the toilet. When guests see these in their kits, they’ll be impressed you thought of everything.^{[21]
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18

A Cute Bag

Make the fun last by putting recovery goodies in a custom bag. Stamp the newlyweds’ name on the front or add a cheeky catch phrase to celebrate someone’s birthday. This way, the guests can take their totes home with them; hangovers are only for a day, but the memories will last forever.^{[22]
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