New house gift

lollyred1

was thinking about making up a box of essentials for my sis and her partner for when they finally move out of home next sat, what sort of things should i put in? Neither are great cooks and both still very young.
so far i have
Beans
tuna
tin toms
milkshake powder
soup
Any ideas would be great

angie_loves_veg

how about either a really straightforward cookbook, or a link to this forum?

lollyred1

i have donated my copy of the book as they dont have internet, cookbook is good idea though

Millie's_Mum

When I first moved out of home my sister bought me loads of cleaning things, window spray and polish, cloths and a dustpan and brush, it was fab and you can pick all that stuff up quite cheaply as well

MrsB_2

How about a selection of the things they're likely to forget that you have to buy, cos they dont just appear in the house. Like...

Bin Liners
Light bulbs
Washing Up Liquid
Toilet Paper

All the things that just get taken care of when you still live at home with your parents!

Mrs_A_4

Before I went to Uni I was working in a Spar-type corner shop so I used to buy a few bits every week and keep them in a cardboard box in preparation. Bit nerdish really, I shoulda been getting ill off Absinthe and vomiting in alleys like everybody else...
Anyway, I reckon the best things are the store cupboard basics that they will take for granted at home.

For example:

Cooking oil
Sugar
Coffee
Tea bags
Salt and pepper
Chilli powder
Mixed herbs in a jar
Pasta/rice/couscous
Flour
Loads of 9p noodles
Tomato ketchup
Salad cream/mayo
Mustard
Salad dressing
Branston pickle
Stock cubes
Vinegar
Lemon juice

Depends on what sort of stuff they are used to having at home and what sort of meals they might have. I would like cranberry sauce etc but probably pointless if they will never go beyond micro-meals...

As for more perishable stuff:

Onions
Big bag of potatoes
Frozen chips
Frozen veg
Bananas
Milk
Bread etc etc.

And have they thought about equipment or is their place furnished? Ikea do VERY cheap plate/cup/bowl sets, and they might need basic pans, chopping board, knives, cutlery, bottle opener, can opener, colander, baking tray, potato peeler, measuring jug, iron, kettle, toaster, etc. Maybe a comprehensive cook book, if they are as nerdy as me (loved my Mrs Beeton at far too young an age!).

Good luck!:D

MRSMCAWBER

Hi there

Id go for some herbs and spices oooh and condiments...you can pick most up cheaply in the supermarkets and even if they arent that great at cooking yet herbs and spices can make the most basic ingredients into something great...

Also herbs are those things that someone newly setting up home wont think of and there are soooo many - i think i have over 60 now:o

Id go for things like:-

chilli powder/paste
mixed herbs - great for pizza and lots of pasta dishes
parsley - dead easy to make fresh parsley sauce
sage.... great for making stuffings

soy sauce
worcestershire sauce

But you will know what your sis likes to eat so just pick herbs you think they can use

csarinaknight

I once bought a laundry basket, it was requested as a wedding gift, and put pegs, soap powder, fabric softner etc in it........perhaps a bag of soda crystals, wooden spoons, kitchen roll, foil ???????????

jovichick123

How about a cheap (ish) set of pans? As others have said, all the bits that get taken for granted at home would be useful!

I know when I first left home, I cooked pasta everynight so maybe some pasta and some ready made sauces (Dolmio etc.).. Might help them build confidence in the kitchen if they can feel like they are 'making' it themselves..

Sarah xx

jovichick123

Just thought as well - a great cookbook is 'the dairy book of home cooking' - takes you through how to make everything you could ever possibly need, I couldn't be without mine!!

razra

A set of measuring spoons/cups

When I first moved out on my own this was the one thing I couldnt wait to buy, most recipes call for a tsp of this or a tbsp of that and as a new cook you generally want to stick to the destructions the first few times

Otherwise there are some very good suggestions already made so nothing more to add here