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?

Sounds fine, @UndertheCedartree.

(Presumably your friend has been able to hold on to her yoga mat?)

I'd bake a cake 😊

I'd put a box together of some nice things and some practical things like:

Nice coffee/tea bags.
Pretty Coasters
Nice hand soap
Cuddly toys for the kids.
Some good biscuits
Maybe a wipe clean tablecloth
And I'd probably add in a voucher for home bargains.

Towels, heated throw, slow cooker

The OP’s friend has teenagers, not toddlers, @crostini - I doubt cuddly toys and wipe clean tablecloths would be high on the list of priorities …

some good ideas here but unless you know she's keen, I'd avoid a plant - it's basically work to keep it alive and if it dies, it will make her sad. Obviously if she likes that kind of thing, go for it - but given your description of her circumstances, caring for a plant however minimal - may not be what she needs at this point.

The friend is a keen gardener!

(Has the opening post become invisible this evening??)

The friend is a keen gardener!
(Has the opening post become invisible this evening??)

Er no. Actual gardening (being in the outdoors, with space and rain) is totally different from watering a pot plant every day just to keep it alive.

She loves plants and has said she wants to get some house plants to make up for not having outdoor space.

Could you look into a full spectrum light bulb so your friend can expand the range of things that can be grown in her flat? Just make sure not to get one that is all pink/blue as it gives off a very annoying light (though I guess she can always turn it on while she's at work).

Oodies (or similar!) each to help keep them warm and save on astronomical heating bills

a nice matching mug, crockery and cutlery set

towel bail

a microwave/air fryer

lovely toiletries/ cleaning products in celebration of their very own bathroom