18-year old moving into her first place. Need some ideas for gifts for her.?

Question

She will have her bedroom set and 2 full place settings from my kitchen until she can get her own. She can have the kitchen table that we no longer use, but I want to give her more "personal" things...like her favorite recipes from my collection in a new recipe box of her own, or a personally out together sewing kit in a pretty container.
It's been so many years since I moved on my own, I honestly don't remember what it was like to have to start from scratch! Any other things you can think of will be greatly apprecited. THanks!

Answer 1

The things that you mentioned are very sweet and thoughtful and I know she will appreciate it.
The best things to give her are practical things that she will actually need. Storage containers will be extremly useful.
You could make up a laundry basket full of detergent, fabric softener and dryer sheets and maybe even a couple rolls of quarters. Or you can do a basket full of non perishable foods to stock her shelves with and a gift card to her nearest grocery store.
Those are things that you know she can use and will need.
You are very thoughtful, Good Luck!

Answer 2

Those personal things are all well and good but why not let her get those on her own? It is amazing the things a person needs to put together a home:

A wicker laundry basket filled with kitchen utensils like spatula, ice cream scoop, can opener, cheese grater etc. is a good idea since it will hold all the things essential to a kitchen that you don't know you need until the last second. A lot of these things can be purchased at the dollar store.

For a personal touch why not make your own spice rack and do your own labels?

Answer 3

Something that could be helpful would be gift cards where she can get some of the things that are needed. The best thing might be to ask what she needs, maybe take her shopping and pay for an item. Dishes, cutlery, pots and pans, bake ware, linens, etc. Another idea could be to get a pail, mop, and cleaning items, with rubber gloves, a variety of things for
cleaning. Another thing could be a box of dry items, pasta, tins of a variety of foods. It's
not easy to set up housekeeping for the first time at any age--you need everything. The thought just occurred to me that if this girl is a friend, have an apartment shower for her.
That would go a long way to helping her out. Good luck.

Answer 4

Something useful that she would otherwise have to get herself. Two of the best 'housewarming' gifts I've given have been a box full of cleaning supplies and a toolkit.

But since you're looking for something more personal. I might go with framed pictures, a cookbook (I like your recipe box idea a lot!), a gift certificate to a grocery store, a phone card (so she can call home when she gets lonely) or a plant to brighten the place up.

Hope this helps

Answer 5

You already have GREAT ideas, sounds like you know what to give. Maybe even some spices! You can buy a spice rack, or buy some bottles separetly or in bulk & bag them up real cute or something & put w/ each recipe. Maybe some mixing bowls, & layer them with a recipe too. Like a mixing bowl, w/ all the layers for baking your favorite cookie recipe. Or a lasagne dish w/ all ingredients for that, a box of pasta, jar of sauce(w/ rafia tied around it), the spices, chunk of mozzarella, & maybe a grater to grate it. Oh being 18, maybe a case of Ramen noodles9dress it up w/ a bow) & a pot! I remeber those days! Another whole idea, maybe a cordless phone, or phone book, or answering machine. Or a nice fancy pillow, with a smelly sachet. Maybe one of those nice soothing sounds things for her room, waterfall, rainforest. or a fountain or waterfall, that mists & has lovely scents that come out of them--know what im talking about? or a gift card, for a couple months free cable/satellite tv. or gift certificates for local carry outs or delivery places. HAVE FUN--GOOD LUCK to her!

Answer 6

Bet you the sewing kit never gets used.

You want to give her something practical? Give her a toolbox, so she can hammer nails into the wall and put pictures up, etc. It will be the most useful gift she never thought she'd want.

And when she turns 21, you can sit down with her and enjoy a nice cold bottle of Colt 45. Mmm. Smooth.

Answer 7

A picture of family is always nice, a toaster, George Foreman Grill and Microwave. I never cooked when I was 18. Anything thats quick and easy.

I cook all the time now though.

She wont be using the recipies I would save those for her wedding gift.

Answer 8

hmmm. when i moved out on my own my mother gave me all these monet print pictures. i love monet and it was something personal and sweet and something i still have and hang in my house. as for useful things, lots of towels. girls have to have lots. i lvoe the idea of a recipe box and a sewing kit though. i think those are great gifts.

Answer 9

Its her first chance to decorate the place the way she wants to so, something as simple as a gift card to a great home store (Pier 1, Bed and Bath, ext.).

I know you want something more personal, however, it shows that you are happy for her new independents, and don't want to interfere but help. Just a suggestion, Good luck!

Answer 10

So many things......I was trying to think what I had in my hope chest as a teen. Towels and wash clothes, kitchen towels and dish clothes, silverware, pots and pans today a microwave is useful. Table clothes or place mats, ceral and soup bowls. Dish drainer , calenders, clocks, hope this helps.