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?

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.

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

I completely agree.

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

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…

That's a lovely idea too!

That's so kind!

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

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.

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"

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.

I like the ideas of some nice towels, a throw and tea, coffee and biscuits in a biscuit barrel with some lovely mugs.

When I was skint, I found it annoying when people spent money on things that were kindly meant but not needed - I would have preferred something useful that would have helped a bit.

Everyone is different so it depends on your friend, but don't assume that a luxury/treat gift is what everyone wants - to me it was really galling thinking what that money could have bought that would have made everyday life much easier.

Warm thick blankets/snuggle hoodies
Lovely mugs and cocoa/tea
Stash of biscuits
New front doormat
Some house plants
Maybe a slow cooker?
Airer
Dehumidifier
Some christmas decorations?

I would make a hamper with bits for them all to enjoy inside it.

new mugs with hot chocolate sachets
cosy socks
bubble baths or shower gels
Bars of chocolate
candles
a photo frame

I would go for basics or a gift card, she might want to choose her own mugs and towels if she's starting from scratch and not have random ones, I know I would.

I've moved a lot and buying things like cleaning supplies, brooms and such, and basic groceries adds up so quickly!! I would give that then when she's moved in see what's missing, maybe a piece of furniture that she needs but couldn't find secondhand.

If the kids need desks and chairs there are always loads on gumtree for free or very little. Lots of charities do starter packs and Facebook can be great if there is a a local community group she can ask for what she needs.

The furniture grant is only likely to go as far as extreme basics so I think either something to make the home more cosy, eg rug, throws, bedding (depending on what is actually in your loft), or a starter hamper and depending on what you can afford, a voucher for somewhere that sells household stuff or furniture.

It very much depends on what she actually has, assuming she doesn't have much money, it would be a waste to buy eg new mugs if she already has perfectly good ones but no bedding.

What about an empty hamper basket, Tesco, Morrisons etc sell them and fill it with treats so when they move in they can tuck in and watch a movie.

Nice towels, facecloths and bathmat in bright colours. Take a look about online for bargains. They can be so pricey.

Domino's gift card so they can order pizza one night for their new home? Would expect teens to go for this too.

Argos vouchers would also allow them to furnish it but pick their own things. Agree that John Lewis is lovely but they may want to stretch the budget a little further. The Habitat stuff at Argos is nice.

These are all lovely ideas although only your friend can say if she would like them. The suggestion to help with transport is a particularly good one as is the small pampering thing for her.

If you are close enough to your friend could you give cash instead of a gift card? She will then have complete choice of where to spend it (including if she buys new or secondhand).

I was thinking of Habitat vouchers.

Thank you everyone for all the ideas and suggestions.

I am going to give my friend:
A couple of house plants
A 'retreat in a box' - bath salts, fragrance, body butter etc and comes with a booklet with yoga and affirmations etc (this is right up her street and something she will really enjoy and I hope help her relax as she is feeling very overwhelmed right now).
Habitat vouchers

The teens:
A mug for them and their boy/girlfriend
Biscuits
A blanket

@UndertheCedartree this is so kind. Your list sounds perfect. I like that you're thinking of the teens too. I'm sure your friend is so glad to have you in her corner.