Another idea would be to take care of the first months utilities or cable/internet access fees.
We did get him some fun stuff to put under the tree- a couple of video games, some books he specifically asked for, and yes, some new clothes for his new job (OK, I think new clothes are fun, but I’m a girl). I guess I was thinking it was a good idea because when he was in grad school in NYC, he was griping about how he couldn’t get his favorite BBQ sauce there, and how expensive everything was, so I went to the store and put together a huge care package and sent it to him. He was thrilled with it- but it wasn’t Xmas, and I think he was really homesick and he enjoyed getting the stuff he used to eat here.
Maybe I’ll just get a bottle of the BBQ sauce to put in his stocking… I do like the other ideas, though, especially the spices and the cookbook. He does want to learn to cook something besides Kraft Mac n Cheese, and has asked me to show him how to make a few things.
A few items of good-quality cookware wouldn’t be amiss. New cooks often don’t realize how much harder it is to get good results with a cheap, thin pan than it is with a heavier one with a good surface. Often they waste money buying some cheap pans before they learn. Set a good saucepan inside a good skillet. Put the spices inside the saucepan. Because the cost of all those spices we kind of take for granted does add up.
How about tin foil, ziploc bags, a pair of kitchen scissors or steak knives, bottle/can opener or potholders? Lots of this kind of stuff can be found on the cheap. What about a broom and dustpan? Dishtowels etc?
I like the foodstuff idea, as long as he has other things, which he does.
The best bridal shower gift I ever saw was a laundry basket filled with detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets, an iron, ironing pad etc. The bride loved it. I’ve seen that done for kitchen stuff as well.
I think the food etc is a thoughtful gift. I can’t guarantee that he’ll think of you every time he uses them, but I know he’ll appreciate it.
I think it’s a great idea. He might not think much of it at first, but once he moves in to a new place and has no food to eat, he’ll change his mind in a hurry.
Best gift I ever got was a suitcase. I was 12 or so. When I got it, I thought it was stupid, but I used that suitcase more than anything else I ever got as a gift.
Well, I don’t think it’s stupid. Then again, all my adult niecphews are getting useful care packages from me. The two that are setting up their own households are getting laundry baskets with detergent, hangers, softener and bleach. Three more are in dorms and one is in the service, they’re all getting personal care (deodorant, shampoo, razors, toothbrushes and paste, etc) consumable type stuff that will allow them to save some money for the important things like beer and textbooks.
I loved gifts like those when I was getting my first place together, and even if they don’t adore the gifts, at least I know they’re useful.
Chiming in with the array of spices/gift card idea.
When my neice and nephew married we bought them a few cookbooks, dishtowels, dish soap, scrubbers - the stuff you need, but never actually think about. My neice told me she appreciated our gift as (in her opinion) it showed we thought of their day to day future, not a wow present like the tea set you pull out once/year.
My mom is a food Xmas giver, but in a humorous way. When TheKid was a toddler she became addicted to peanut butter. She would open a jar and just dig in. Mom got into the habit of buying her a 5# jar of peanut butter as part of her Xmas gifts. Twelve years later (a few days ago, actually) Mom called to see whether she needs to switch over to creamy instead of chunky since TheKid now has braces. It’s hokey, and TheKid groans, but she likes it.
A gift from the heart of food to a guy recently out of college is never stupid. It may not be the best plan if it’ll be hard to lug along, or it’s stuff he won’t like, but it’s not stupid, and it sounds like it’s stuff he’ll enjoy. Ask him which he would rather you do: gift cards or food to bring along.
I don’t think it’s a stupid gift. It’s a thoughtful gift! That said, I probably would give it in a christmasy shopping/gift bag rather than wrapping it, and I would add a few utterly frivolous foods, maybe candy or chocolate, or some cookies.
I think spices are a good idea for someone starting out, too. You can buy a rack like this, so he can find them when he wants them, instead of digging around in a spice drawer, where they can pop open and make big messes. Something compact that does not take up much counterspace. This one is prefilled, so some of the spices might not be that great; I just like the rack itself:
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/kitchendining/storageorganization/spiceracks/PRD~64853/Metro+Stainless+Steel+20jar+Revolving+Spice+Rack.jsp
(I’m thinking of this one since I just saw it while shopping a couple days ago…)
Stuff like this makes me wonder if there would be a serious market for “instant apartment” packs. Like a large box or two with an assortment of dry staples, couple rolls of toilet paper, basic cookware, inexpensive dishes and utensils for 4, assorted common cleaning products, kinda like a whole list of the things that invariably you find yourself sitting in your first new apartment and dont have a can opener when you really need one.
If this is his first household, most guys will not think of spices, parmesan - the stuff in the refer door and bottom shelf near the range. This assumes he’s likely to cook, or at least attempt to do so…
If he’s already lived alone and done the grocery shopping bit, he doesn’t need to carry obvious stuff 3 hours.
And: save gift wrap for non-grocery items.