Os housewarming present for young couple

Irishmummyof2

One of my oldest friends has just bought a house with her partner, they are both in their twenties and only learning..lol
My sister has been to visit them and she said she was told things were tough, not even money for heating etc.
I want to give them a present but not something that will be so noticeable that means they are skint, iykwim.
Any ideas, greatly received.

squeaky

Then maybe some basics?

Back in the days when appliances never had plugs pre-fitted I gave a whole bunch of plugs, some fuses, all wrapped in a tea towel and the whole lot packed into a lunch box to a new couple. I knew from my own, then recent, experience that we'd got all the big things for the house and it was the little things like this that constantly caught us out.

People looked kinda sideways at it when they saw it - but a couple of months later the couple made a point of finding me and saying that in fact they found that mine was by far the most useful present they'd been given!

So... plugs and fuses aren't really needed these days as much as they used to be (hmm... maybe fuses, but everything comes with a plug)...

So if you can think of other common everyday items that we all find that we need and that they might not have thought of - all packed into a nice lunch box...?

lainz

Maybe something like a slow cooker/steamer (I don't know your budget, but you can get them for +/- £20).... It may be worth asking them if there is something they would like or need for the house. I moved into a place last year and if people hadn't asked me what I wanted I would've ended up with loads of stuff I didn't want/need.:D

squeaky

Thinking on the basics line again...

Teaspoons? They may have a canteen of cutlery but if that's all they have - there just ain't never enough teaspoons in one of those

Egg cups? (his and hers, even, if you can find them)

Tea strainer (which I also use as a seive for small quantities of things)

Store cupboard basics? There's a thread somewhere (I'll find it) about basic emergency supplies for students setting up away from home for the fist time - if this is their first time away from home? Even if not - it might spark some ideas:-

Emergency food tin


I suppose it comes down to whether this is their very first time away from home or if they're moving in together from their own places?

Irishmummyof2

Thanks for the ideas so far, they are setting up home straight from their parents houses. The fuses and plugs thing would be ideal if he weren't an electrician..

cookie9

What about a pasta lovers kit. Buy a large pan and inside place packet of dried pasta, sun dried tomatoes, chili spice and oregano. If your budget will stretch to it throw in a bottle of wine.

squeaky

Irishmummyof2 wrote: »

Thanks for the ideas so far, they are setting up home straight from their parents houses. The fuses and plugs thing would be ideal if he weren't an electrician..

:rotfl:

Electrician huh? Me too.

Then maybe print him a voucher for free electric shock treatment?

skintscotslass

I'm with squeaky on the basics. How about a box of cleaning stuff? White vinegar, soapnuts, stardrops, bleach and cloths etc? My cousin is setting up home with her fiance and I am doing them a household manual type thing. (I'll be sending her in the direction of this site as well) I think everyone knows whats its like for a new couple starting out, so I dont think they would be offended, whatever you give them.

I think the food basics is a really good idea. My Mum did that when my aunt got married and that was the present from me, brother and sister.

stefejb

how about startng a household manual like the one that moggins had - I can't find the link so may be squeaky or someone else wise could help with that

sammy_kaye18

sounds daft but

could you not do them a batch cook of freezer stuff and when they query it say 'well i know how stressful moving house is so i figured some nice meals you could just bung in the microwave would be handy incase you dont feel like cooking'.

Other than that if they are having a hard time money wise i think the emergency food tin and the cleaning one would be good.

or you could make them a romantic hamper seeing as they are newly in a house. Bottle of cheap plonk, nice choccies, soem candles, maybe a cheapy fleece to snuggle in. could be a nice present for them and if nothing else will keep them warm!

squeaky

stefejb wrote: »

how about startng a household manual like the one that moggins had - I can't find the link so may be squeaky or someone else wise could help with that

We aim to please...

Moggins household manual - hope that's ok?