Page 2 | Ideas - housewarming after homelessness

UndertheCedartree · 2024-11-23T12:30:02+00:00

I have a friend who has been living in a hostel for a year with her 2 teenagers. They are all sharing one room smaller than my living room and sharing a shower room with other residents. She has just find out they will be getting a flat in a tower block. All very relieved although a bit sad for my friend as she loves gardening. Anyway, I want to do something for their housewarming to make it as special as possible. Any ideas?

BeetledBrow · 23/11/2024 15:35

Oh - I am glad they’ll be in before Christmas. (Assuming they celebrate it. Doesn’t matter if not.)

Does your friend have other people she may want to invite to her new home? If so, think through what she’d want to have to be able to entertain with pride. A bright doormat for inside or outside the door? Hooks or a coat hanger in the hallway. And a rug for the floor. A better than basic full length mirror. A blanket or throw for the eventual sofa. (I still don’t mean a party, but one might hesitate to invite people if you don’t feel you have the right ‘stuff’.) Etc …

Vouchers as above.
TV licence if needed.
A decent radio.

123ZYX · 23/11/2024 15:34

What about a nice blanket? Something lovely and soft to sit under in the beings but also could be put over the back of a second hand sofa to make it feel more "hers"

Singleandproud · 23/11/2024 15:29

I'd hold back on buying things for her other than a house plant or two.

Having no control on her living situation would have been challenging and being able to pick out her own things will be important.

I'd give an IKEA gift card, possibly a small tool set with an electric screwdriver with Allen key attachment, an offer to accompany her on an IKEA shopping trip and perhaps an evening or two putting up flat pack furniture.

Original poster

UndertheCedartree · 23/11/2024 15:23

NC10125 · 23/11/2024 15:20

Do you know if she had Xmas stuff?

If not, and they’re moving in before Xmas I would do:

Tree and decorations
Wreath for the door
Box of nice Xmasy food and drink
xmas pjs each
xmas jumper each

Along with the promise that the tree and decorations could live in your attic if she wanted…

I'm not sure what she has to be honest. But something to make the flat look festive would be great.

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Original poster

UndertheCedartree · 23/11/2024 15:21

NetDesMamans1 · 23/11/2024 15:10

I would happily send a tin of brownies, if you think she'd like them.

That's so kind!

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Original poster

UndertheCedartree · 23/11/2024 15:20

NetDesMamans1 · 23/11/2024 15:08

I'd include a meal - either something you've made, or a meal deal sort of thing that they'd all enjoy. I've seen a lady online who gifts her adult kids a family favourite meal, made in a pan/casserole dish/ovenware that they then keep as part of the gift.

That's a lovely idea too!

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NC10125 · 23/11/2024 15:20

Do you know if she had Xmas stuff?

If not, and they’re moving in before Xmas I would do:

Tree and decorations
Wreath for the door
Box of nice Xmasy food and drink
xmas pjs each
xmas jumper each

Along with the promise that the tree and decorations could live in your attic if she wanted…

backaftera2yearbreak · 23/11/2024 15:17

What about a few gift baskets. One with cleaning stuff, a food one and a pamper one for your friend?

Original poster

UndertheCedartree · 23/11/2024 15:15

ThreePointOneFourOneFiveNine · 23/11/2024 14:53

I’d get something specifically for her. When you’re stretched financially you always put the kids needs first. I’d get something a bit pampery that she would never buy for herself. A couple of gorgeous bath bombs or some special chocolates to hide from the kids. I’d get her something practical too, but I think showing her she deserves treats for herself would be really nice.

I completely agree.

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NetDesMamans1 · 23/11/2024 15:10

I would happily send a tin of brownies, if you think she'd like them.

NetDesMamans1 · 23/11/2024 15:08

I'd include a meal - either something you've made, or a meal deal sort of thing that they'd all enjoy. I've seen a lady online who gifts her adult kids a family favourite meal, made in a pan/casserole dish/ovenware that they then keep as part of the gift.

StormingNorman · 23/11/2024 15:07

Bedlinen would be heaven, particularly if they will be getting second hand mattresses.

Things to help them manage the heating bills: electric blankets or throws, air fryer.

MumonabikeE5 · 23/11/2024 15:05

I think it is lovely that you are thinking of her. Do buy her something lovely, something properly pretty.

but if you can also help her with transport or visiting the excellent second hand furniture shops (emaus, British heart foundation, Salvation Army etc) as these will be a good place to find things such as beds and sofas etc, but sourcing it all alone might feel pretty daunting.

PiggieWig · 23/11/2024 15:02

I wouldn’t get cleaning stuff. I know it’s something we all need but it’s not really special is it? I’d hate to receive that as a gift and it can be picked up cheaply in Home Bargains.
I know it’s a well intentioned suggestion, but I’d focus on getting her and the kids something nice that they might not otherwise be able to justify from the household budget.

NeedToChangeName · 23/11/2024 14:56

Nice toiletries

Offer to help clean the flat when they get keys

verycloakanddaggers · 23/11/2024 14:55

I think I'd go with a starter pack of basic bits (cleaning stuff, food bits, a plant) plus a voucher for IKEA.

A little plaque saying ’Tom's room' might be nice for the door of each kid's room.

ThreePointOneFourOneFiveNine · 23/11/2024 14:53

I’d get something specifically for her. When you’re stretched financially you always put the kids needs first. I’d get something a bit pampery that she would never buy for herself. A couple of gorgeous bath bombs or some special chocolates to hide from the kids. I’d get her something practical too, but I think showing her she deserves treats for herself would be really nice.

Original poster

UndertheCedartree · 23/11/2024 14:53

Thanks all for the lovely ideas. I'll definitely be able to put something together for her.

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Original poster

UndertheCedartree · 23/11/2024 14:51

OurChristmasMiracle · 23/11/2024 13:37

A nice bottle of bubble bath to soothe those aching muscles after the move (it’s what I actually bought for myself when I moved) and maybe some candles for the bath if that’s something she would like.

That sounds lovely.

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PiggieWig · 23/11/2024 14:50

@BeetledBrow I second what you say. It’s hard when you’ve been through financial hardship and have to start putting a home together.

How about John Lewis vouchers. I always ask for them for birthdays and Christmas as it’s beyond my budget and allows me to buy nicer versions of things.

Original poster

UndertheCedartree · 23/11/2024 14:50

Giggorata · 23/11/2024 13:36

Great list from BeetledBrow.
If you know their taste in art, something to hang on the walls.
A set of nice mugs.
A decorative set of hooks for coats.
A box of starter groceries, like tea bags sugar, drinking chocolate, a few tins of veg, flour, rice, pasta, bread mix, nice bikkies, cake.
Ditto with washing up liquid, household cleaning stuff, washing powder, etc
A sort of oddments pack, like sellotape, scissors, blu tac, command hooks, batteries, etc.
Depending on money, an air fryer, rugs,

Edited

I love the idea of the 'starter packs'

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Original poster

UndertheCedartree · 23/11/2024 14:49

Stormyweatheroutthere · 23/11/2024 13:36

New mugs! Ime all new homes need some..
Obviously with biscuits to go with them.

That's a lovely idea.

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Original poster

UndertheCedartree · 23/11/2024 14:48

BeetledBrow · 23/11/2024 13:28

When you say ‘housewarming’ do you mean an actual party, or simply the period of moving in and making the place comfortable? Because the first seems irrelevant - just food a drink and music, same as any other party.

The important thing is what goes into the flat to make it a home. Where are their things? Presumably in storage if they were able to take them from their last home? Or maybe they had to leave with very little? It’s possible they’ll be provided with very basic bed linen and towels, and kitchen equipment. If so, they may be glad of a few better quality items - electric blankets, velvet quilts, thick towels, cushions, lamps. Certainly some well grown indoor plants - and outdoor stuff if there’s a balcony or terrace.

Will they be moving in before Christmas?

No not a party, just to make them moving in special. I'm sure we will all eat together after getting them moved in.

Some of their things are in my loft but they have no furniture and very reduced home things, I think. They will get some funding to get second hand furniture.

Those are lovely ideas, thank you.

Yes, they will be in before Christmas happily.

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mickandrorty · 23/11/2024 14:00

what about a little windowsill herb garden?
Nice shower/bath bits and some lovely fluffy towels

BeetledBrow · 23/11/2024 13:51

To be honest I would focus on the things your friend might struggle to afford at first. She will probably have a manageable food budget - (though the teens I know would prefer to exist purely on Deliveroo) but may be counting the pennies for a decent sized wardrobe or dining table from Ikea, or secretly sighing over the Toast website. It’s hard when you’ve had to live a very basic life for a period of time - a little luxury would be healing.