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

Just a comment about windchimes.....more people hate them than love them. Her neighbors may want to strangle her if their peace is disturbed by endless clanging. :-) I still have my first tool box, assembled piece by piece by my Dad. My suggestion would be a gift card, too, maybe to a good department store where cookware, dishes, bedding, and all manner of home decor items can be found. But think of everything to be found at a Home Depot!

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.