Ryan and I have been wringing our hands {figuratively speaking} as we wait...and wait...and wait some more for our Greentown home to close. We have been given a time frame in which it might close, and we are very excited about that! Praying fervently that everything goes through smoothly, more for the sake of our longsuffering buyers than anything else.
WHICH brings me to my question of the day.
Ryan and I have such a heart for this family. We've been praying for them and praying for the house to be a wonderful thing in their lives. We wanted to put together a little housewarming gift for them, and I've been scouring Pinterest for good ideas of things to offer, but I figured all of you are as good as Pinterest, so I'll ask you!
I'm particularly trying to think of things that you might need when you first move into a home and you need that one thing you didn't think of! Greentown {if you've never been there} is not really a metropolis, and while they do have a Family Dollar store, it doesn't stay open 24 hours, and it doesn't have everything you'd find in a big box store, so I'm trying to think of things they might discover they need late at night when the store is closed and they don't want to drive all the way into town for it.
I did find a really cute idea on Pinterest for a "TP Tower" for the bathroom, and I liked that. Nothing worse than moving into the house, guzzling down a fountain pop and then realizing you gotta go and there's no toilet paper!
I also thought of buying a case of water bottles and leaving them in the fridge, because moving is hard work and sometimes you just want cold water.
Another thought that popped into my mind was an assortment of light bulbs. You know - you're assembling your lamps and turning on lights at night for the first time and then one burns out, or you need four and you only have three in your stash...who can't use more light bulbs?
So this is the start of my brainstorming.
So tell me, my friends! If you were moving into a new home, what would you want to find there to save you time, trips to the store, headaches? Or if you've moved recently and you can remember something you did or did NOT find that really stuck with you, tell me!
I haven't moved since 2000, so it's been a while since I went through this!
1 hour ago
15 comments:
I love the idea of random "things you might need after moving" the water and TP is so true, maybe lightbulbs, some snack foods or leave a frozen pizza in the freezer so they get a dinner when they move in?
Good start. I've been without a can opener before. :(
All are good ideas, Bekah! I agree with the pizza idea also. And, to make the house feel warm and cozy, perhaps a candle and/or flowers?
Frozen pizza for sure! Our neighbor brought us one on the day we moved it and it was such a huge help. What about maybe cleaning supplies?
If there are children-NIGHT LIGHTS!
Being in a new home can be fun but maybe scary at night. You are so kind and thoughtful to be thinking of ways to bless owners of your former home.
How well do you know the buyers? If I were the buyer, I would not eat anything left in my freezer. As a rule, I would stay away from all food and beverages. If you decide to go that route, deliver it in person. Don't leave it in the house.
Paper products are a good idea. Toilet paper, paper towels, tissues. Cleaning products can be handy. Rubber cleaning gloves. Dish soap and a pretty dish towel. A night light is a good idea. I would stay away from light bulbs I think. You may end up buying a bulb they won't ever use. Beside, you already have bulbs in all the light fixtures. Maybe a small toy for the kids if there are any.
We have residents move into our community (we manage an Independent Retirement Community) and give than a laundry basket filled will small things from the dollar store that we always get so many compliments on. We put in it tooth brush, tooth paste, paper towels, box of kleenx, hand soap, plastic hangers, some treats, a couple of glasses, a note pad and pen, a small picture hanging kit, plus a few other things. Oh, and a 5 x 7 picture of their new home in a cute frame.
This is such a great idea Bekah! I was going to suggest a hand towel and some soap because you always want to wash your hands and can never find those things. Also paper plates, napkins, and plastic cups. And garbage bags.
I like the pizza idea, but maybe leave a note that you bought it especially for them. I'd eat it if I knew it was purchased especially for use, and not just leftovers someone forgot to move out.
I know a lot of these things are practical, but they are the things you really need, especially at first. And I love the nightlight idea if they have small children.
I agree about leaving a note on the pizza. Maybe some paper plates and napkins. A set of those throw away salt and pepper shakers. A couple 2 liters of pop (a cola and a diet cola should cover about anyone!) some plastic cups. A fresh bag of ice in the freezer with the pizza.
A laundry basket or a waste basket filled with goodies with a note could make harried movers smile!
Becca, you could even leave them a nice pyrex pan filled with one of your awesome looking brownies and the recipe!
A broom and dust pan and some trash bags. Moving things into a new house creates so much dirt and debris, not to mention paper and tape trash from unpacking. This was one of the first things we ran to the hardware store to buy after we moved in.
Pain reliever! Chocolate
I agree with the above comments. I haven't movedfor 15 years, so not much help... I really like the night light idea if they have kids. Since people have suggested not leaving food in the freezer, is there a pizza place (or other restaurant) in town where you could get a gift card? You could write a note suggesting your favorite menu/takeout items. Then when they are hungry, they don't even need to turn on the oven!
Rachel in ND
What about a small container of laundry detergent, a couple of hand towels and soap, paper plates and cups/silverware, a nightlight or two (love that idea!) and a soft cozy throw or two as the weather is just about to get cooler.
You are so sweet to think of these things.
On a side note, I'd probably not do much food. The case of water bottles in the fridge with a note is great, but I think other food might not get eaten.
And YAY!!!! for the possibility of a sale!!!!!
You guys blow me away!!! I kept saying OOOH GOOD ONE!! Thank you so much for all your ideas! I plan to blog again after we compile our gift, but I'll make a list of all the suggestions to make it easy for anyone who might want to copy the idea!
But again - THANK YOU for your thoughts! I'm so excited for us to plan and do this!
A shower curtain. Just a cheaper, plastic liner--something to get them through the first day or two until they've unpacked.
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