Ideas for moving in pressie for newly single mum

Louisa_2

My lovely sis has sadly split from her partner of 8 years, also my niece and nephew's dad (he's a nice man too it's all so sad for their little family)
But, she's about to move into a place of her own with the children, and I know money is going to be really tight for her. I'm of course going to get her a moving in gift and would like to make it something a bit practical. (There is another non-practical element to the gift involving something far more luxurious, possibly along the lines of chocolate and champagne and a few baby sitting vouchers!)
She's already a bit OS (likes cooking, can turn a wisp of nothing and a can of air into something nutritious and tasty for her family) and has a pressure cooker and a slow cooker, as well as all the normal kitchen/household items as her and her soon to be ex dp have agreed that she should have the contents of the family house . Have you got any ideas on what would make a nice OS moving in gift? She works 5 days a week and so time is another factor. I'd love to think that if I got her a breadmaker it might get used but being a working mum myself - let alone a single working mum- I know that if I don't have time to use one, she definitely won't.
I don't want much- an idea for a gift that is OS and doesn't take up too much time - ha!
Any ideas gratefully received x

kr15snw

Going with the breadmaker idea, we bought my mum one last year. Its a Panasonic and about £100. But its amazing. You literally chuck the ingredients in and tell it what time you want the bread cooked by. It does all the mixing, kneeding, leaving to rise, and obviously cooking. Also has an attachment included that means you can have fruit (or nuts, chocolate etc) mixed in

Its amazing as my mum used to chuck everything in the night before and say she wanted it ready for 7am (when she got up). She comes down at 7am and takes it out as it works the timings out and does everything for you Then she leaves it to cool for about an hour (I had normally surfaced by this point). And bingo fresh bread for breakfast!

Can also be done so that its ready for when she comes home from work, and then can sue the bread for sandwhiches that night.

Has lots of recipes so that you can make all different bready type things. Ill see if I can find it on the net for you. Couldnt live without it now (my mum).

Smashing

Not sure how much you can afford to spend, but how about organising a veg box delivery for each fortnight/month?

ooobedoo

A slowcooker?

Bogof_Babe

Small denomination gift vouchers for her nearest local grocery store/supermarket. That way if she is strapped for cash and needs a few basics she doesn't have to worry about finding "real" money.

TheWaltons_3

One of those fabby steam irons that irons the clothes in seconds!! You know the ones I mean? Not just a normal steam iron... but it sits on a holder.... I mean to get one as it takes me ages ironing kids clothes and jeans at the moment and I just know it will save me loads of time!

ailuro2

Vouchers to help her decorate the new place?

wifeforlife

As a single mum too I have to say the best presents I've ever had havent been for the house but a voucher for a meal out. My brother got me one for the cinema and the restaurant beside it. I took my DD to see Happy feet and for dinnner and it was wonderful, just to have a night out with her, with no worries about money or anything. A break from the norm, I've always remembered how something so small made me feel that night

Hope your sis and family are ok

Cate

kickstart_3

A food hamper or a cleaning hamper. (that way you could put a few little luxuries in it for herself) She probably wont be spoiling herself for a long time and although very practical , a little luxury item might be nice !

halia

I agree with vouchers for say tesco - that way she can either stock up on basics or treat herself to something nice.

As I might be in this situation soon I'd say the things i might want would be:
babysitting vouchers
tesco/homebase/argos vouchers to help redecorate
DVD rental vouchers/3 month
subscription to a magazine
shoulder to cry on!

TheWaltons_3

What are babysitting Vouchers? I have never heard of them!