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Housewarming gifts

5 years ago

You all have given the best gift ideas! How about for a young couple who are buying their firat home. They have rented for a while and have small kids.

I have given them an amount for a larger gift and they asked could they settle in and decide a real need.

I was thinking a fire extinguisher and other basics as a gift when we go too see the house. A laundry basket or hamper with that and TP, etc and a gift card for local carryout. Is that ok?

Featured Answer

User

5 years ago

How about a garden hose, hedge trimmers, flashlight or tools? My favorite is robo grips. They come in really handy. Also, something like outdoor solar lights might be really useful. I bought two sets of eight from Costco for my house. They look good and keep the house lit at night and were handy for lighting the interior of the house during the power outages we had back in February.

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Comments (12)

Judy Good
5 years ago
I like a fire extinguisher idea. Not sure on the hamper but a laundry basket sounds nice also. A home cooked meal or treat would be nice too.
Anne thanked Judy Good
Olychick
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I like your ideas, esp the gift card for take-out. Maybe look into folding laundry baskets in case space is at a premium for things like that. If not used for laundry, with little kids they'll always have a need for toy storage.

What about including something for the kids...a bubble machine or just bubble juice, if they have pavement where their home is, maybe some sidewalk chalk. Depending on their ages, these are kind of fun for kids for their new home (though a little pricey for more than one:

Paint it yourself stepping stones

I didn't look too hard; there are probably smaller, more affordable paint projects.
Anne thanked Olychick
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When we sold our house in Ladue, MO, I gave an afternoon drop in for the new owners to meet the neighbors. St Louis can be very clubby so I wanted to make sure the couple was off to a good start with the friendliest group. It was a nice gathering of about 40 people and the buyers really appreciated it. They were darling newlyweds and we were in our thirties with 3 kids. For two others I left flowers or wine and a couple of disposable wine glasses. The last house we sold the buyers were so anxious to get us out that I didn't have time to do anything--- nor were they the type to appreciate it. When we sold that house we closed the sale at 11am and closed on our purchase of this one an hour later all in the same attorneys's office. Our banker came to the closing with a lovely housewarming gift for us but they came too early---- during the sale, not the purchase. The woman buying our house did nothing but complain for the next ten minutes that she didn't receive the same treatment from her bank. It wasn't surprising to anyone but her!
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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.
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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!!!
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Anne
Original Author
5 years ago
They have most neccessities but need some upgrades. Really practical amd wouldnt waste, I want practical amd then hopefully will share on a bigger item later. they were so payient buying a home in their budget in an area that goes 30 grand and up over asking!
Annie Deighnaugh
5 years ago
How about a how to book on home repairs?
Anne thanked Annie Deighnaugh
Anne
Original Author
5 years ago
Annie, the guy in this family is an engineer and captain research (good idea for most)
Anne
Original Author
5 years ago
The solar lights are a good idea! They will be parking out back as the house is in a city. and you made me think about a pair of Ring cameras, even though it is avery low crime city. Solar lights now and ask if they want cameras.
Annie Deighnaugh
5 years ago
...the house is in a city...

Well there goes my idea for a septic tank pumping!!

:)
socks
5 years ago
Smoke detector, CO2 detector, escape ladder if 2 stories, fire extinguisher, first aid kit make it a safety themed gift.
Anne thanked socks
User
5 years ago
Gifts I've been given: A gift card to Home Depot. A book on places to visit or vacations in my state. A book on the hiking trails in your state. A coffee table book, title" North American Birds."
Ninapearl
5 years ago
when my son and his wife bought their first home, i had a large rock engraved with their last name and "established in 2016" engraved along with the celtic symbol for "family" in one corner. they loved it.
pudgeder
5 years ago
Love all of these ideas! I'm going to save them for future use.

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