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Original Message
"Housewarming gift"
Posted by Max Headroom on 08-11-08 at 07:32 AM

I have a friend who recently moved to a new house, and I'm trying to think of a good housewarming gift to get her. Being a guy, I am devoid of useful gift ideas, so I asked DW... and she's stumped too. So I figured I'd ask OT.
A little background: This is a friend I've known since grade school. She's recently divorced and just went through the divorce from hell, complete with extensive marital infidelity (her ex-husband only) and a nasty custody battle over their three adopted Chinese daughters. My friend recently moved to a state far away from her old home and started a new job, and I suspect money is tight for her right now.
I don't like giving money or gift cards, but other suggestions are welcome. Well, constructive ones, anyway.

A SharTribe creation!

Table of contents

Two things,IceCat, 07:49 AM, 08-11-08
RE: Housewarming gift,Snidget, 08:09 AM, 08-11-08
RE: Housewarming gift,syren, 08:10 AM, 08-11-08
- RE: Housewarming gift,Max Headroom, 08:34 AM, 08-11-08
  - RE: Housewarming gift,syren, 08:37 AM, 08-11-08
- RE: Housewarming gift,HistoryDetective, 08:38 AM, 08-11-08
  - RE: Housewarming gift,syren, 08:44 AM, 08-11-08
  - RE: Housewarming gift,suzzee, 10:08 AM, 08-11-08
RE: Housewarming gift,kingfish, 08:14 AM, 08-11-08
- RE: Housewarming gift,Max Headroom, 08:35 AM, 08-11-08
RE: Housewarming gift,Breezy, 08:15 AM, 08-11-08
RE: Housewarming gift,samboohoo, 01:30 PM, 08-11-08
RE: Housewarming gift,kingfish, 01:56 PM, 08-11-08
- RE: Housewarming gift,foonermints, 02:29 PM, 08-11-08
  - RE: Housewarming gift,kingfish, 02:37 PM, 08-11-08
RE: Housewarming gift,MKitty, 04:37 PM, 08-11-08
RE: Housewarming gift,Tahj, 05:01 PM, 08-11-08
RE: Housewarming gift,grit, 07:33 PM, 08-11-08
- Spread the Cheese,IceCat, 00:18 AM, 08-12-08
RE: Housewarming gift,Denalio, 01:02 AM, 08-12-08

Messages in this discussion

"Two things"
Posted by IceCat on 08-11-08 at 07:49 AM

... an ice cream maker and a waffle cone iron.
Ice cream being the ultimate comfort food.

"RE: Housewarming gift"
Posted by Snidget on 08-11-08 at 08:09 AM

LAST EDITED ON 08-11-08 AT 08:10 AM (EST)
Hmmmm. That is hard, because I don't know what appliances/cookware and stuff she might have taken with her.
One thought so you don't duplicate what they have would be one of those fruit of the month or something like that club where you get something every month for a few months and they don't have to store it or deal with having two of something.
If you know her taste and color scheme you could do some sort of lamp or other home decorating thing, but that can go really wrong really fast.
Candles are an option, especially something that will look pretty if they don't want to burn it.
Do they have a yard or outside where they are? Something for the patio like a hammock chair could be nice.
One last thought. If you think husband got custody of the tools in the divorce a nice set of tools for doing around the house stuff (hammer, cordless drill, etc.) might be welcomed. You can get a tool box and do it up like a "gift basket". Also it usually isn't that bad if you have duplicates as you can be charging one while using the other or have a spare when one hides for awhile.
Edit for clarity.

"RE: Housewarming gift"
Posted by syren on 08-11-08 at 08:10 AM

LAST EDITED ON 08-11-08 AT 08:11 AM (EST)
I like Icy's suggestions.
Although I know when I have moved into a new home the things I most lack seems to be cleaning stuff. If she is far from you, maybe you could find a maid service for her for a month (once a week) or a giftbasket with baisc cleaning supplies. Gloves, towels, cloths, sponges, air freshner, and if you can deliver it personally different types of cleaning liquids. Or in place of the liquids if you are to far away you could send a giftcard with the basket for her to pick up her favorites.
I know it is a little unconventional, but the thing that has been the biggest hassle when moving for me was the basic cleaning things.
ETA: Also, don't forget the kids, they moved too and sometimes get left out when housewarming gifts are presented. Get a small age appropriate poster or something for their room/s.

"RE: Housewarming gift"
Posted by Max Headroom on 08-11-08 at 08:34 AM

Thanks syren. My friend moved to the Atlanta area, so maybe you can deliver the gift basket for me.

A SharTribe creation!

"RE: Housewarming gift"
Posted by syren on 08-11-08 at 08:37 AM

You are welcome.
If you need me too, I can.

"RE: Housewarming gift"
Posted by HistoryDetective on 08-11-08 at 08:38 AM

Also, don't forget the kids, they moved too and sometimes get left out when housewarming gifts are presented. Get a small age appropriate poster or something for their room/s.
Ex-hubby deserves a present too.
http://www.poopsenders.com/?gclid=CPyX177whZUCFQopIgodMTN6rg

"Frankly, I don't care what you think." --- PagongRatEater, 20 October 2007

"RE: Housewarming gift"
Posted by syren on 08-11-08 at 08:44 AM

That is hilarious. LOL

Thank you, I really needed that. So far I have picked up my phone twice this morning to call my dad, only to realize that I can't.

"RE: Housewarming gift"
Posted by suzzee on 08-11-08 at 10:08 AM

Just cut my Christmas shopping in half, thanks!!

"RE: Housewarming gift"
Posted by kingfish on 08-11-08 at 08:14 AM

A chipmunk skin rug.

"RE: Housewarming gift"
Posted by Max Headroom on 08-11-08 at 08:35 AM

Wouldn't work, the trap rate has decreased rapidly lately. But thanks for the thought-- one never knows when the next round of 39 chipmunks will show up.

Another catchy agman siggie

"RE: Housewarming gift"
Posted by Breezy on 08-11-08 at 08:15 AM

Go to a book store and buy her a Handy Woman's book. I have an old one titled "How to Fix Just About Anything". I'm sure they have cooler more women specific ones now a days. Also if it were I buying it, I'd stick a Home Depot or Menards card in it too. (I know you said no gift cards)

Breezy is alone in her tree...

"RE: Housewarming gift"
Posted by samboohoo on 08-11-08 at 01:30 PM

I think you have received a couple of things I like here, especially the tool kit suggestion.
I bought a neat little tool box from Target a couple of years ago. It was too expensive, and it has the basics you would need.
I have a friend whose MIL gives them house item stocking stuffers each year like batteries, lightbulbs (which you could now give in the energy-saving variety), etc.
A mixing bowl/special cookie jar or platter. You could even include ingredients and a recipe, plus aprons for all the girls.
A wicker laundry basket full of towels, washcloths, etc. They could be monogrammed.
I agree with Syren's suggestion of the cleaning supplies - again another way of introducing her to the Green world.
On many occasions, I have given a housewarming gift of pantry staples.
surfkitten summer sigshop 2008

"RE: Housewarming gift"
Posted by kingfish on 08-11-08 at 01:56 PM

I am also talentless in this area. So when I'm in your situation I get fat scented candles. Totally useless, IMO, and it feels like a coward's way out, but, amazingly it seems to go over OK. At least people are nice enough not to make fun of me. To my face.
I like the smarter suggestions here better, though.

"RE: Housewarming gift"
Posted by foonermints on 08-11-08 at 02:29 PM

*waves away "fat scent"*

"RE: Housewarming gift"
Posted by kingfish on 08-11-08 at 02:37 PM

I have, however received a few comments about my "Sweat Scented Candles", aka "Locker Room Reek".

"RE: Housewarming gift"
Posted by MKitty on 08-11-08 at 04:37 PM

Yeah, some good suggestions here. I would go with a gift basket from a kitchen or bath shop...they are ALWAYS appreciated!

Goin' Tuscan from Surfkitten 2008

"RE: Housewarming gift"
Posted by Tahj on 08-11-08 at 05:01 PM

LAST EDITED ON 08-11-08 AT 05:05 PM (EST)
I recently went to a housewarming. My gifts were a candle--a nice one, scented, and a CD. If you know her musical tastes, that might be nice. Both items are very usable, small, and if they get duplicated, it's OK as long as it's not the same exact CD.
Edited to add--A wind chime might also be nice. I would not recommend plants, if you're thinking about it.

It's a Tribe!

"RE: Housewarming gift"
Posted by grit on 08-11-08 at 07:33 PM

See if you can get your hands on her mortgage payment booklet. Pull out the next couple of payment coupons and send them in with a check.
Barring that, a nice bottle of wine and some chocolates and/or cheeses are nice. You should try those new varieties of cheese from Israel. You know, Cheeses of Nazareth. They're a hit in my house.

Handcrafted by RollDdice

"Spread the Cheese"
Posted by IceCat on 08-12-08 at 00:18 AM

... on some piping hot Dead Sea Rolls.

"RE: Housewarming gift"
Posted by Denalio on 08-12-08 at 01:02 AM

Nice picture frames, candlesticks, gift basket with food items that are fun and unusual (I love Trader Joes for this), basket with gardening supplies (flowers or veggies) if she likes to garden (er, a plant -- I DID just send a friend a dwarf blueberry bush for her patio!), and of course, the tools and handywoman book is also a fabulous idea.
If you know her music tastes, a CD or two is nice. Stuff for her kids and pets is also nice.
Hope this is helpful!

Awe inspiring Tribe sig!!!