Looking around the house…most of the useful things I have are already listed. So:
ice cream scoop
can opener
thermometer (for people…or, you prefer, air temperature…but the people thing…)
measuring tape
wall clock?
If their place doesn’t have much in the way of window treatments, they could use those paper blinds that are like giant sticky notes. Just to have some privacy until they can get something nicer.
I like to give a how-to book on basic home maintenance as a housewarming gift.
Think Junk Drawer
One of those assortments of hardware - a few brads, some tacks, picture hangers.
If they have lots of wall decorations, pic hangers become a separate class. If they don’t have a lot of wall hangings, well, there’s that Christmas thing…
Foldable/break-down furniture (depending on accustomed income level) is especially usefull it they are likely to move a few times before getting glued to one spot (see Kurt Vonnegut’s discussion of juvenile barnacles).
Basic tools:
16 oz claw hammer
3/8" chuck reversible drill
5 each #1 and #2 screwdrivers in both slotted and phillips head (they tend to wander. best to let them decide where they want to be. Just keep at least 1 each in junk drawer and tool rack/box
slip-joint pliers
Needle-nose pliers with wire-cutter
Crosscut hand saw
Saber saw
(other power saws are their choices unless you are incredibly generous.
wire cutters (dykes)
Retractable metal tape rule (Stanley)
Qty 5: Utility Knife. Also noted for wandering
100 pack of utility knife blades in wall-mount dispenser
Paint scraper (single-edge razor type)
100-pack of single-edge razor blades
Paint brushes - this is another go big or stay at home item
2" taper end
4" square end
9" Roller (a real one - they don’t come packed with a tray)
Tray
At least a dozen tray liners
8 each: paint can openers, paint brush holders, hooks to hang a bucket of paint on a ladder - ALL PAINTED RED, DAY-GLOW ORANGE, etc - they get lost easily
6" and 12" adjustable wrenches.
A set of combination wrenches (open on one end, box of the other in fractional
A set of combination wrenches (open on one end, box of the other in metric if they have import cars.
First-Aid supplies are the second-to last item to pack (behind toilet paper, ahead of light bulbs) - include either Bactine or J&J First-Aid Rinse (check labels to make sure) - these are the last two OTC liquids I know of with real lidocaine.
Neosporin, Band-Aids, gauze pads and rolls.
Take a quick look at your junk drawer and laundry area.
NOTE: “Tool” means a device which will last at least three generations for hand tools; power tools need to go at least 1.
Okay, as far as I can tell, they’re set with kitchen stuff, basic hand tools, and such. It will be about two months before the big move - they will be camping at our new house during the remodel, so that they can save money, and we won’t worry so much about someone stealing stuff like the HVAC unit or stripping out the wiring. (And we’re paying them for helping out with painting and such.)
So I think, with the stuff listed above, a boatload of paper goods and cleaning products, plus any random stuff we find during our upcoming move, they will be pretty well set. Now we just need to get DaNephew a job!
I usually do this but I would add basic cookbook, the ultimate book of kitchen hints (life saver this one), stain removal and cleaning handbook and if they have a garden a Yates garden guide (or whatever merkin equivalent)
Update: the kids have found an apartment, and it’s awesome! (In a college town, it certainly pays to wait until after the beginning of fall semester to rent. 3/3 townhouse, with furnished laundry room, for $600 per month - including utilities? Yes, please. They’ve already found a roommate to pay half for one bed and bath plus public area access, so… Woo!)
The housewarming boxes are growing as I pack my own household stuff, and as I find bargains. So far, it’s paper goods, cleaning supplies, first aid, stupid kitchen utensils that are useful but easily overlooked (grater, vegetable peeler, wooden spoons, etc.), extra towels and bath mats, spices and food staples (rice, peanut butter, cooking oil, etc.) Plus a few little luxuries - cookies, a six-pack of cider, candles, a couple of restaurant gift cards. Some hand tools. Feminine supplies, boxed separately with a package of chocolates and labeled “[Nephew’s name], open in case of emergency.” Light bulbs, laundry soap, dish liquid, kitty litter. Automotive oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, brake fluid, a good extension cord and a couple of power strips. Notebooks, pens, pencils, and several types of tape.
Not to give myself too much credit, but I think, with help from you guys, I’ve earned the title “best auntie.”
The kids are moving tomorrow, and last night, I grabbed a bottle of wine for them to open tomorrow night. I also grabbed one for myself, because, as much as I love them, I will celebrate the fact that we no longer have two spares to feed! (And DaNephew found a job, and they already have wine glasses, because I had three odds. By the time everything makes it up all those stairs, the kids won’t care whether the glasses are ugly and lavender!)
BTW, if you weren’t already aware: 22-year-olds eat like 16-year-olds! Cooking for “only” six people/two teenagers will cut the grocery bill by half!