Ideas - housewarming after homelessness

[UndertheCedartree]

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?

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.

A houseplant or two?

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.

Yes, good idea.

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

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?

(Sorry, slow typing.)

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.

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

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,

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.

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.

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

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.

That's a lovely idea.

I love the idea of the 'starter packs'

@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.

That sounds lovely.

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

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 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.

Nice toiletries

Offer to help clean the flat when they get keys

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.

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.

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.