House warming gift

Lifestyle Parenting, Household Affairs and Cuisine corner
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My cousin recently bought a new house and when I visit her, I want to bring her something. The only problem is that she has EVERYTHING. She’s been buying stuff for her house for years now and I’m not sure what to get her. I was considering a crystal vase… Any thoughts?

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Re: House warming gift

she probably has enough crystal vases to use instead of lotas now. thats the number one thing desis are good at giving. I would give her something like a swaroski crystal decoration item or something like that, something no one else would have given.

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Re: House warming gift

How about a beautiful silk floral arrangement in colors that match her home?

Alternatively, what about some beautiful decorative hand towels for the bath, or something decorative for her kitchen? You could make a gift basket with either of the above by putting them in a pretty wire or wicker basket, add some nice decorative soaps if for the bath, or some hand soaps or kitchen gadgets if it's for the kitchen. Bath and Body works makes the most amazing handsoap for the kitchen. It's lemon and basil, I believe, and the only soap that I have ever found that takes off the smell of onions and garlic. Also rubbermaid silicone spatulas are really nice, and come in loads of colors.

Another idea is really nice bedsheets for her bed. There is nothing like egyptian cotton, and sometimes when people are doing up their homes they may replace everything else, but not the bedsheets, because no one sees them.

If she likes to garden, how about some gardening tools, pretty pots, and a gift card to her local gardening center?

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Re: House warming gift

^^ there you go :k:

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Re: House warming gift

NO crystal vase, crystal clock, crystal candy dish, etc etc
just realize when ppl buyt their homes especially first homes its very very personal to them and they ahve an idea of what they like..getting things that dont fit in becomes a hassle.

if you knw that they like things from a particular store, get them a gift card, or get them some service visit like a house cleaning, or just some flowers ..

I would rather get nothing or perishable..than something that just does not go and I am stuck with.

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Re: House warming gift

dont get anything crystal.....it's very typical. i would get her framed Islamic art (perhaps verses from the quran) i tend to get things of this nature and it's always appreciated. The best part is when u see it hanging in their house. :)

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Re: House warming gift

thanks for the ideas!

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Re: House warming gift

Check out any Winners store. They have 100s of really classy gift items or just really elegant houseware, decor etc. And most of all cheap.

apples and BH
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Re: House warming gift

These ideas are really good. I especially like the Islamic art idea. Some good gifts we have gotten in the past included a nice copy of the Quran with translation, a book on Tafsir of the Quran, practical gifts like a set of bedsheets or towels, pretty drinking glasses and a set of flatware. Gift certificates are always good too--the family can spend it as they need it.

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Re: House warming gift

ive found really good books at islamic bookstores…you know the coffee table type books or sometimes referred as gift books? with colorful photgraphy…these typically have a hard cover..large pages with nice pictures etc.

for example someone gave this to us as a gift…and its absolutely beautiful!

http://www.astrolabe.com/product/2074/The_Sacred_Trusts%3A_Pavilion_of_the_Sacred_Relics_%28Topkapi_Palace_Museum%2C_Istanbul%29.html

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Re: House warming gift

i personally prefer sth for the kitchen....like silverware or some nice serving dishes ......or chinaware.....etc....
other then that i think some sheet sets is also a nice idea....

gift certificates are a nice idea too....but i think it takes out the "gift feeling" out of it.....

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Re: House warming gift

I like amana's idea of egyptian cotton bedsheets. Those are very nice :)

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Re: House warming gift

or u can give her gift certificate .....

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Re: House warming gift

i wouldnt like that cuz everyone has different taste.

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Re: House warming gift

framed islamic art can be an issue also..especially…if its caligraphy. do u know the decor preferences of the recipient. I mean if i get one of those gilded frames with ornte gold calligraphy, that simply does nt go with m decor which is very streamlined, clean lines and modern…so what do i dowith it, i cant tos it, I cant donate it to any geneic gcharity, and I cant realy pass it on easily, so I get stuck with it.

this is an extreme example, but just to illustrate what u think may be good may not be what the homeowner likes..

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Re: House warming gift

yup...but if you think that anything you'll give,they might not like it or might not be acc to their taste then a gift cert is the best way to go i suppose.....:)

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Re: House warming gift

Thanks for the tip. Normally people in my family don't have any set decor- modern, contemporary, shabby chic etc. So I don't think the style of islamic art with bother them. :)

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Re: House warming gift

good point....which is exactly why i personally prefer it to be unframed...i rather frame it myself. I typically give housewarming gfits after ive been to their house a couple times...so that my gift can be according to their taste. It gives you time to see how they decorate and what they need and want.

But yea you are right...if u dont know their taste framing it wouldnt be a good idea.

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Re: House warming gift

How about a nice candle set? nd you can't go wrong with high thread count cotton bed sheets, especially if you stilck to off-white/white...will match with anything, and you can always use a set in neutral shades.
Or how about getting something engraved...for their entry way or what not?

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Re: House warming gift

Unfortunately most of the Islamic Caligraphic art available at ur average store is quite tacky. The only good pieces of islamic art i ever got was from non-desi’s. The ones desi’s buy tend to have a lot of candy pink, bright greens and gaudy golds in it. This one time we got was a plasticy golden heart with a picture of an open quran on it and it had the first few verses of Surah Yaseen on it. Allah maaf karay but the look was awful. Now we couldn;t do anything with it at all. Recently it broke :bummer: I don’t know how but tis still lying there in a bag.

Neutral coloured bed covers may work too. Canisters for the kitchen or then edible stuff like sets of flavoured oils etc. Hinna check Kirkland at Potomac Mills, they have nice stuff which isn;t too expensive either.