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Original poster

Ideas - housewarming after homelessness

61 replies

UndertheCedartree · 23/11/2024 12:30

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?

OP posts:
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.

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,

Stormyweatheroutthere · 23/11/2024 13:36

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

ThinWomansBrain · 23/11/2024 13:34

Research community gardening projects in the area that she could get involved with?
I have a bed in a community garden - several members live on estates and are active in gardening on their estates as well.

Second the suggestion of new bedding - I found some amazing deals at Debenhams online recently, and TK Maxx is great for hugely discounted bedding.

BeetledBrow · 23/11/2024 13:29

(Sorry, slow typing.)

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?

Amba1998 · 23/11/2024 13:27

See if there are any local allotments or community gardens she can get involved in

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 23/11/2024 13:25

FuzzyPuffling · 23/11/2024 12:56

A houseplant or two?

Yes, good idea.

OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 23/11/2024 13:25

PiggieWig · 23/11/2024 12:31

Will she have a balcony? You could buy her some pots.

New bedding is always nice too, especially when moving into a new place, and it’s something that often drops down the list when buying essentials, as I imagine she will be doing.

I'm not sure. I know they used to have balconies but I think they have boxed them all in. Not sure if they could still be used for growing things?

Bedding is a good idea.

OP posts:
FuzzyPuffling · 23/11/2024 12:56

A houseplant or two?

PiggieWig · 23/11/2024 12:31

Will she have a balcony? You could buy her some pots.

New bedding is always nice too, especially when moving into a new place, and it’s something that often drops down the list when buying essentials, as I imagine she will be doing.

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