DS and I will deliver hand written thanks you's and thanks for the vase help. I sort of figured it was to keep, but then didn't want to be rude either LOL The neighbors who gave the vase are actually new to town (we moved in last week and they moved in on the 1st of Nov) so I love the idea of inviting them over when the other couple comes. I'll call them and set it up for this weekend. I'm sure the new folks would like to meet some folks in town. What a great idea!!!! I knew you guys would come up with a great idea :) Heh heh folkvictorian...actually the vase neighbors live behind our garden in a fairly modest home, though I see them in their garden daily (who does that in Nov?) so I have a feeling they're avid gardeners. I wonder if they want a bigger garden to work on...they may HAVE mine LOL DH said they had to leave their dog behind with a grown child and are missing the dog a lot so they've offered to walk ours whenever we would like which is sweet. (And if you met our obnoxious dog you'd know how sweet it is LOL) The other couple....I don't know where they live aside from "uptown" (there's down town and up town here). They're a fix up couple by the PO of the house who think they'll be great friends....kind of a blind friendship date LOL I think after a big dinner today and the guests who left on Monday (we had a house full...ten couples) I MIGHT (might) be able to have the house presentable by Sunday, but only if I can find a duster to get my naked dusting done with :oP Most of the curtains don't have more than lace curtains...talk about an intro to the neighborhood LOL

Love the welcome mat idea. Someone gave us a luxury shower head as a gift, which was a very nice out-of-the-box idea. If it were me I would up the home improvement store gift certificate amount and as my personalized gift I would give a great, funny kitchen towel that is unique to their interests. If it doesn't match their decor then at least you all will get an inexpensive laugh. Maybe I would wrap a tool or kitchen utensil in a funny kitchen towel. Or wrap the gift certificate in it. For the couple with kids I would look at the ikea web site and order some kind of toy storage thing or cool lights for their room or something. Or if they live near the beach maybe I would get some great kites for the family. My oldest just moved into his first house. My most popular gifts have been bed pillows (they went from one bedroom to three) and tools. A lot of the young people I know are pretty minimalist compared to people my age and they want to pick their own decor related things. If your friends have moved from a small space like a one bedroom apartment into a bigger house then there may be things they'd like that they don't own just because they didn't have the storage space before. If they live near the coast they may be interested in having more beach chairs, beach umbrellas, beach towels, etc. Or you could give them the gift certificate wrapped up cute when you get there and then while you're out there visiting buy something you see they need. Or buy something when you get back and ship it. There's just not a universally popular gift that works for everybody. I, myself, would hate decor items, picnic baskets, wine, beer, candles, trays, throws, fresh flowers, etc. But I always love the fact that my friends loved me and thought about me enough to bring me a gift, preferably an inexpensive gift. A sweet, kind note or a funny note ratchets a gift into the stratosphere. It truly is the thought that counts.

The ladder and the tool set is a good idea. You might want to do two of the tool sets. Some people keep one in the kitchen drawer for light household fixes and one in the garage for outside things. Since this is a new house I would not go overboard with good quality tools. My reasoning is that many basic tools are not a one size fit all thing and should be purchased by the person that will be using them. Having spent time when younger finding tools that were weighted just right is why I suggest the kits rather than individual tools. A good kit with as many sturdy tools in it can prevent the new homeowners from having to go shopping immediately. For that shopping gift cards are good.

That reminds me of a video someone posted here of two guys who live in Georgetown, one or both is from California, and they had a lot of California art in the house. It was an amazing house with the coolest couple.