Thank you all for your replies. I would rather have waited till tomorrow and see what else y'all might think of, but Bob wanted to get on with the program and not wait until the last minute. You know the routine ... So I stopped in at Big Lots first since it is closest to my house and they had some very nice wood and iron benches, sturdy, and with a nice design on the back for $50. It looks like it's worth much more than that. Bob is putting it together now. So that's going to be it ... Thanks again for the good suggestions.

Thank you all so much! I riffed off Beagles’ suggestion and included many others: I found a basket at HomeGoods that can eventually hold towels, toilet paper, magazines, etc. Lined it with four nice kitchen towels (including one that says “Meals and Memories are made here”). Purchased a nice frame and included the following poem printed on parchment: Bread that your cupboards will always be full, (Gift Certificate to Ulele – ML that was an amazing suggestion – and likely one they wouldn’t find on their own any time soon) Candle that your home will always have light, (Voluspa ‘Maison Blanc – Saijo Persimmon’ Candle) Coin that you may dwell in good fortune, ($200 Home Depot Gift Card – they already have a lawn mower, but will need a weed eater once we help them install a fence for their dogs) Honey and Salt that life shall always have sweetness and flavor, (Orange Blossom Honey from Florida – if they like it that will make a terrific and inexpensive gift for them to send to family members at Christmas; also found some smoked sea salt and pepper & garlic seasoned sea salt that sounded useful and interesting) Wine that joy and prosperity may reign forever. (bottle of pinot grigio – I had to google wine that beer drinkers would like since they have yet to acquire a wine drinker’s palate!) Although married over 30 years, DH and I do well remember those first days of needing SO much. However, DS/DDIL have been married for three years (first lived in an apartment and then military quarters at previous assignments) so have most of the staples and furniture already. This is their first home purchase – driven mostly by the fact that it’s cheaper to buy in Tampa than rent and the waiting list for military quarters is 10 months’ long. I don’t think this will be their forever home but – you never know! We definitely plan to purchase and plant a tree during our first visit – and now I know to bring a new broom as well! OT @runningplace: my stepfather recently passed away after a very unexpected, painful, violent, and unnecessary illness (he and mom were married for 47 years)… you have given me clarification on how my DH can craft boxes for all of DSF’s (12!) grandchildren with the rough milled wood we brought home from his shop milled from a cherry tree in their front yard. Coordinates – perfect! Thanks again, everyone – you are truly awesome! My best, Michele

How about a picture frame engraved with My First Home Est: 2017 and a very nice picture of the house or with her standing in front of her door with her new keys. With that I would also include a gift card to one of these places. Amazon, Bed Bath and Beyond or any place that has nice housewares. I bought a new house last year and even though I had things from my old home I found a lot my stuff did not quite fit in the new house. Colors weren't right or things were just plain worn out and I found I was hitting up Amazon and Bed Bath and Beyond a lot for bedding, towels, small kitchen stuff like replacing my old ugly cookie sheets, picture frames and odds and ends like that.

All great suggestions... thank you! I'd like to arrive with a gift versus waiting until after the visit... that's for a thank you note. ;) And I failed to mention the entire reason we are visiting. We are only staying one night and then we are all getting on the train and heading to New Orleans for 4 nights. DH and I will fly back from NOLA. While in NOLA we had planned, at the least, to treat with a nice bottle of table wine at dinner one evening. Zalco - We think alike! When visiting friends in Germany, I took dishtowels (embroidered with our state flower), along with their favorite chocolate cherries from Harry's. And children's books for their young daughter who was beginning to be taught English in her school. ***I think the winner is a gift card to their local hardware store, along with a sweet card. They will appreciate that. After 13 years in our new home, we still visit Lowe's at least twice a month. hehehe Thank y'all so much!!!