What to buy?

AKA2D '91 · #1 03-02-2001, 12:42 AM

My co-worker just purchased his first home, our PARTY HOUSE.

(CO-WORKERS, AND THE LIKE

He has decided to have a "house warming" at the end of the month, trust me, it won't be the TYPICAL gathering "house warming"

...Anyway, what would you purchase? He doesn't have anything...lol (30 yrs old, just leaving the nest)

Does anyone have any ideas?

[This message has been edited by AKA2D '91 (edited March 01, 2001).]

mizzkes · #2 03-02-2001, 12:56 AM

My cousin just purchased a home and I gave him gift certificates to Pier One Imports. Other housewarming gift certificates can be bought at Bed,Bath & Beyond, or Wacammaw-Home Place.

AlphaChiGirl · #3 03-02-2001, 01:31 AM

I'm a big sucker for Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, and Williams-Sonoma (espech if he's just getting out of the house--he needs KITCHEN stuff!). They might be rather pricey for your taste, but they're really cool places for ideas.

kiml122 · #4 03-02-2001, 08:14 AM

I always like to give gift certificates to Pier One Imports. They have some really nice stuff in there. I just love that store.

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Peace
KL

AKA2D '91 · #5 03-02-2001, 08:45 AM

Well, many of us are "getting" together and buy things in "groups". We don't really want to do the gift certificate thing. We want to purchase something that he will be able to see and say, "XY&Z bought me this or that..."

Thanks for the input, so far...I'm off to work! Keep the replies coming, though...

Ideal08 · #6 03-02-2001, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA2D '91:
Well, many of us are "getting" together and buy things in "groups". We don't really want to do the gift certificate thing. We want to purchase something that he will be able to see and say, "XY&Z bought me this or that..."

Thanks for the input, so far...I'm off to work! Keep the replies coming, though...

I would say decorative type stuff. Framed pictures or candle sets or plant stands. That type of "this is my home and it's comfortable" stuff.

Eclipse · #7 03-02-2001, 10:49 AM

It depends if you want to get something cute or practical. If you go for practical, and a group of you are going in together, then I say go for lawn stuff! Lawn mower (which can be pricy), edger, blower, furtilizer (sp?) spreader, wheelbarrel, rakes, waterhoses and sprinklers, etc. maybe even some shubbery or flowers to plant if the house did not come with extensive landscaping. You'd be suprised how that stuff adds up!

Window treatments are also a big expense item, but unless you know his taste, I wouldn't risk it. Maybe a Home Depot gift certificate for that if he wants blinds.

Someone said Kitchen stuff and I agree. If several of you are going in together get several small appliances--toaster or toaster oven, microwave (if the house doesn't have a built in), can opener, blender, rice cooker, etc.

My absolute favorite house warming gift was from my brother in law: a garage door opener!! Not very 'cool' but definately practical and worthwhile!

If you are unsure of his taste, what he already has, etc. don't dismiss the gift certificate idea. I got several when I got married and I remember what I bought with each one. I also let people know what I did with it. When I look at my microwave cart, or my food processor I don't think gift certificate, I think "Cousin X" bought me that!

MaMaBuddha · #8 03-02-2001, 11:05 AM

hey AKA2D,

do you have an IKEA in LA....they have cute knick-knacks as well as furniture.

Pier One is okay for decoration...

is he a bacheolor?

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_________________________

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Discogoddess · #9 03-02-2001, 12:59 PM

Here goes: wine rack (if he drinks wine); wood or steel magazine holder; set of champagne flutes (IKEA and Cost Plus have these for cheap); set of napkins/placemats/napkin holders; serenity fountain; cool photo albums/frames of all sizes; bookcase; tool box with basic/advanced tool set and/or handyman stuff, like different kinds of tape/glue, extension cords, etc.; framed art print (if you know his tastes); the latest cordless phone with all the gadgets; ladder/stepstool.

IKEA, Target and Cost Plus have some great home stuff for really good prices. I like Pier One, Pottery Barn, etc., but often find they OVERPRICED for the same stuff offered elsewhere. If he's into older/vintage stuff, try a resale shop or Salvation Army/Goodwill store.

[This message has been edited by Discogoddess (edited March 02, 2001).]

LadyAKA · #10 03-02-2001, 04:28 PM

Oh bathroom stuff works ... like towels, wash cloths and face cloths, bath mats and the like something to match his home ...ask him his scheme if he has one

AKA2D '91 · #11 03-02-2001, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MaMaBuddha:
hey AKA2D,

do you have an IKEA in LA....they have cute knick-knacks as well as furniture.

Pier One is okay for decoration...

is he a bacheolor?

Yes, he is a bachelor!

NO, we do NOT have an IKEA, the closest one is in HOUSTON!

DRINK, HE&& YES, YOU BETTER MAKE THAT SHOT GLASSES...LOL

THANKS EVERYONE, I WILL DISCUSS YOUR SUGGESTIONS WITH MY PEEPS AND WE WILL GO FROM THERE....THANK YOU!

Finer Woman10-A-91 · #12 03-04-2001, 04:10 AM

From a formal registry consultant for the one and only Crate and Barrel (I still love that store!)

Think in terms of the entire set...
ie Glassware: if you buy glasses...don't forget the glass pitcher

If you buy bakeware...throw in a nice cook book with some cooking mitts

If you buy a coffee/capuccino maker...throw in the coffee cups and a nice blend of coffee.

If you decide to shop for the bathroom
think accessories, towels, and fixture treatment.

If your decide to shop for the bachelor drinker...think BARWARE...
double,vodka glasses,shot glasses, martini glasses, a bar set (ice bucket, ice tongs, jigger, strainer,bottle opener,stirrer) and throw in the classic bar book...MEN love this practical guide

And if you can convince your buddy to register at a store...DO it...its a pain to return stuff that really does not fit into one's life. Imagine giving someone a Kitchenaid that does n't cook? Argh!

You could actually help him register (or he could give a registry consultant a basic overview and they will do it for him as a service)Shopping for summer homes was my absolute favorite! If I think about it much more, I may just have to start another business!

BTW, many of the big housewares and nicer stores are on the web now. So one need not step a foot in the door! I am not sure of the return policies of stores like Target but
William Sonoma, Crate&Barrel,Pottery Barn, IKEA, Pier 1(I think they are)and Macys have pretty flexible policies, which is important if you have duplicate purchases that need to be returned.
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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated...Every Finer Woman's Dream!

[This message has been edited by Finer Woman10-A-91 (edited March 04, 2001).]

AKA2D '91 · #13 03-04-2001, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Finer Woman10-A-91:
From a formal registry consultant for the one and only Crate and Barrel (I still love that store!)

Think in terms of the entire set...
ie Glassware: if you buy glasses...don't forget the glass pitcher

If you buy bakeware...throw in a nice cook book with some cooking mitts

If you buy a coffee/capuccino maker...throw in the coffee cups and a nice blend of coffee.

If you decide to shop for the bathroom
think accessories, towels, and fixture treatment.

If your decide to shop for the bachelor drinker...think BARWARE...
double,vodka glasses,shot glasses, martini glasses, a bar set (ice bucket, ice tongs, jigger, strainer,bottle opener,stirrer) and throw in the classic bar book...MEN love this practical guide

And if you can convince your buddy to register at a store...DO it...its a pain to return stuff that really does not fit into one's life. Imagine giving someone a Kitchenaid that does n't cook? Argh!

You could actually help him register (or he could give a registry consultant a basic overview and they will do it for him as a service)Shopping for summer homes was my absolute favorite! If I think about it much more, I may just have to start another business!

BTW, many of the big housewares and nicer stores are on the web now. So one need not step a foot in the door! I am not sure of the return policies of stores like Target but
William Sonoma, Crate&Barrel,Pottery Barn, IKEA, Pier 1(I think they are)and Macys have pretty flexible policies, which is important if you have duplicate purchases that need to be returned.

Thanks! I like the Barware Idea and the Coffee Maker/coffee Idea. That he WILL use!

But cookware and lawn items, LOL! I don't think so...brother does NOT cook, nor will he be out there cutting ANYONE'S yard, not even his OWN!

LOL...That's funny!

AKA2D '91 · #14 04-01-2001, 11:51 PM

Okay, you all...my friend had his house-warming this weekend. He received many, many gifts, including a NICE patio set one of our co-workers bought...(can we say a LOVE connection? lol ALL eyes are now on THEM! LOL)

Anyway, thanks for your suggestions....I bought a nice clock. His mother calls it "Baby Ben".

Again, thanks for your help!