My niece and her sweetie will be setting up housekeeping in the next couple of months, and I’m sort of the parental figure for her, so I figured I’d play Good Mommy and put together a Giant Box o’ Crap that one needs from day one. (I’m old, but I certainly remember how much this sort of thing can strain the budget when just starting out.) I’m thinking about things like paper towels, trash bags, bath tissue, a plunger and toilet brush, glass cleaner, light bulbs, etc. Ideas? What do you just assume is in the drawer when you need it? (The timing will overlap with Christmas a bit, so I’ve already got their gifts there - some nicer sheets, a good corkscrew, and a set of wine glasses. But if you think of any small luxuries suitable for under the tree, I’m planning to add something else there.)
A little space heater, depending on where you are. Window insulator kit too.
Bulk dry foods like rice or beans are awesome. Cleaning goods, light bulbs as mentioned. A pack of 9V batteries for smoke detectors.
Small gift card to local pharmacy. Electric can opener. Or a manual one for character building. A cookie sheet.
I’ve done this a couple times.
I packed it in a bucket, because you should have a bucket or three. I put in some work gloves, a utility knife (to keep inside, instead if having to go to the garage for the one in your toolbox), a pair of good scissors (to use when you can’t find the pair your bought), a scratch awl (for starting holes, namely when hanging drapery and smoke detectors), and a set of screw drivers to keep inside, just like the utility knife.
That stuff might not be totally appreciated but it will not go un-used!
Have they lived independently apart? My first thought was kitchen basics – towels, pot holders, a timer, measuring spoons, measuring cups.
If neither of them have a first aid kit, that might be something. Have they been living on their own for any length of time? If they haven’t, then they might could use a Basic Spices set up. Salt, pepper, (and a decent salt and pepper shaker set), poultry seasoning, cinnamon, things like that. A set of mixing bowls, a set of measuring cups. Hammer, couple of screwdrivers (flat and Phillips), a few nails, some of those picture hanger thingies, tape measure.
And a whiteboard and marker for same, to make a shopping list of things they don’t have as they think of them! I have one for my groceries, and another for my appointments. They live on my fridge, and are very handy.
Ooh, both wear glasses, so a set of those teeny screwdrivers would be awesome. Plus the batteries (maybe I should add some AA and AAA also?) and a bucket. And scissors - great idea!
A couple of extension cords or power strips. A live plant, not hard to care for.
Screwdrivers of assorted sizes, great idea, and a little adjustable wrench. Bucket is brilliant!
I have several sets of the cheapie scissors in various rooms of the house. I have also threatened my husband with Worse Than Death if he uses my good sewing scissors.
The bucket is a good idea. Also a laundry basket and maybe some detergent and fabric softener and spot remover.
Ziploc bags!
Yes, definitely spices. Beyond salt, pepper, cinnamon, cayenne, what do you consider “ought” to be in the cabinet?
(For the record, they’ve never lived totally on their own before, but my mom the hoarder is hooking them up with stuff like towels and oven mitts and dishes, and I’m in the process of moving and paring, so they’re getting stuff like my old (perfectly nice, I just don’t need two) microwave. If they want my old heavy TV, they can have it, too. Mainly, I’m looking at consumables.
Condoms and lube. 
A bottle of good wine for when they have guests, and a box of ok wine for when they don’t.
Cookie or brownie mix. Dried fruit.
A bread machine!
Montreal Chicken and Montreal Steak spice are a must for any spice drawer.
Italian Herbs and Lemon Pepper blend are two more that I find indispensable.
Red pepper flakes and celery salt.
I’m not a fan but garlic and onion powder are common.
A good bottle of EVOO and a good balsamic vinegar are a must in any kitchen.
My mother-in-law will want to get them something to unwrap for Christmas, so I may put her in charge of the spice cabinet/evoo/balsamic. Laundry stuff is a great idea, too, and I’ve already ordered a first aid kit. I’ll probably also raid my stash of toiletries and school supplies (I try to take advantage of sales and coupons to keep a good bit more on hand) for toothpaste, toothbrushes, cello tape, ink pens, soap, etc.
Cheap plastic storage bins and baskets – or nice ones, nice works too.
Fly swatter
Candles and matches
Clock radio – these are getting so small and cheap and cute
Magnetic photo frames for the fridge – and fridge magnets
Note pads for grocery lists
Envelopes and stamps, and a nice card assortment
Weather radio
Give 'em a week and then take them shopping. By then, they’ll have a dozen things in mind that they didn’t even know they needed.
pizza cutter
trivet
broom
mop
dish rack
kitchen towels
composting bucket & compostable bags if they have that there
microwavable tupperware & dishes
cookie sheet
muffin tin
Duck tape.
Kettle and mugs and a box of teabags.
Smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector if they have gas central heating.
Fridge magnets.
French press and coffee, tea bags, sugar, powdered milk.
A few packets of dried ramen.
Toilet Paper!
I usually go the cleaning supplies route: Mop, broom, duster, bucket, allpurpose cleaner, toilet cleaner, window cleaner, paper towels.
Really, the best thing you can provide anyone moving into a new home is help. With cleaning or unpacking or carting stuff around.