You also want each member of the group have one or more of each of those items in their inventory. They only spray themselves autonomously - not others.
Want to get a lot of content faster - buy everything on the table - wait a few minutes and talk to venders and another vender will fill up another table. Do this several times and before you know it you will have lots of content so every one in your group can have their container of all the different sprays, food, shower in a bottle, etc. Each of my Sims has about 6 or more of each item and as many as 5-6 machete's.
Also when you inquire of more content from a vender and they show you the camping gear and stuff - look carefully for a skill book for Archeology - I believe the name is something about paint brushes.
