apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I like to give a basket of green cleaning supplies. Mrs. Meyers, Seventh Gen. Reuseable towels, brushes and scrubbers. That's always been a hit.

I'm a big fan of food/wine/spirits gifts (both giving and getting them). One of our favorites received was a Godiva gift set with their chocolate liquor and premium chocolates. A tasty treat we never would have indulged in otherwise!

We received five $10 gift certificates for businesses in our new neighborhood from a family member. It was a good way to check out those little shops and restaurants in walking distance. Two for little gift shops, one for a book store, one at the plant nursery and one at the Japanese market. Clearly we live in a pretty urban area.

Depends on the situation -- new neighbors moving in on a hot day? a big pitcher of ice cold homemade lemonade and a plate of cookies. Visiting friends who are in a new home? a loaf of wonderful fresh bread, a little sack of fleur se sel, and a bottle of wine that is nicer than any they would buy for themselves. If the vivit is on a winter afternoon I suggest a really great bottle of sherry and some home made spiced nuts.

Someone once gave me a stack of vintage design magazines they bought off ebay...I loved them

Good booze.

Here in earthquake country I always give a disaster kit. Everyone needs one and so few people actually have one.

i cheated and gave our friends a whole set of kitchen things. they both were moving out of their parents' houses. i think they like it - if anything, it was definitely useful and is being used.

but i cheated - i made sure they like pre moving in. :-)

we didn't have a housewarming, but i like the idea of cleaning supplies. like method stuff - ubiquitously awesome.