ideas needed

[rach71]

righty oh..university is calling for september
i am starting sharnies box of essentials

so far have a door stop...so she can hat with friends and not to close her door and the world away
coathangers...cos like in a lot of hotels u get a wardrobe but no coathangers
a toastie machine...
iron...cheap one from asda



on my list are
mini fridge for her room..
lamp
rug
towels
lock for her food cupboard
plates
mugs
cutlery
saucepans
quilt cover and pillows
few nice photo frames



what else

????

[keepsmiling]

what about a food hamper with essentials to start her off and a basic cookery book plus some luxuries as well

[newlindy]

maybe a silly thing but what about a vase you never know might get flowers there and have nothing to put them in ,

mirror also never know might not be one in her room

book of stamps to send letters home

[Insomniac]

NOT a silly thing to have a vase! I've lost count of how many times I've had to use tins, bottles, jars and even old shampoo bottles to put flowers in over the years!

You could also add some nice writing paper, some pens, crossword puzzle book ... add some chockies and other nibblies to the food hamper KS suggested. Don't forget tea towels for the washing up time. If she has a computer or laptop with the right connections ... she can probably watch her DVDs and other shows on that ... so a TV won't be a necessity to begin with.

Don't forget a special teddy bear! It wasn't a gift for going to uni ... but when my first marriage broke up and I moved into my own place ... my Mum and Dad gave me a special bear (I still have it) and I used to have it on my bed every night and snuggled it too!

[rach71]

ooh i knew i could rely on u lot to think of great practical ideas...
brilliant
stamps,vase,mirror, teatowels,nice paper n pen..

foodwise i have started a morrisons saver card?..been putting £2 on each week..so the week she gets there she can go buy all she needs and have more for a few weeks??...i want to do the same with new look? so she can buy some new clothes?...
u lot are great xxx

[Insomniac]

Good idea with the saver card! You could get her gift vouchers for the clothes part of the deal too ... that way she can get what she needs when she needs them!

More ideas ...

Wicker Storage Baskets ...
the same size or various sizes for storing things under her bed or on top of her cupboard/shelving. Baskets are a great way to keep a room tidy and if needed ... things can be tossed in quick smart and out the way in seconds. You could buy the ones already lined ... or make some linings yourself. Tie lovely organza ribbons on them and have a little heart or teddy shaped 'tag' that she can hand-write what's in each basket.

First Aid Kit ...
a little kid with the basics like bandaids, paracetamol tablets etc. May be a boring gift but it would be handy to have around for those moments where a little more than a tissue is needed.

Sewing Kit ...
you can buy them in all shapes and sizes OR you can find a cute little lidded basket and put one together yourself. Add a pair of sharp scissors, a 'quick unpick' tool, a little tape measure and of course various coloured cottons and buttons, safety pins of various sizes etc.

Insect Spray ...
you might not need it for spiders in the UK but we can't go without a few cans floating about the house!

A4 Folders ...
you know the ones I mean. They've got bright plastic covers and plastic 'sleeves' on the inside. They stack flat and Sharnie will be able to keep her paperwork in order

Mini Pin-up Board or White Board ...
something smallish that can be put on the wall, inside or outside on a door/cupboard ... then Sharnie can jot down things she has to do/buy etc.

Money Box ...
silly idea but a little money box or lovely jar/container that she can toss the small coins in. Coins are handy to have when you're in the mood for a snack and don't want to break up a note!

I'm sure we'll all have ideas as the days wear on ...

[rach71]

ooohh..yr good at this...
i shall put the first aid kit...the money box.mini whiteboard...sewing kit on the list...
its all very exciting for her.....expensive for john..lol

[Insomniac]

Another thought ... a shoe hanging thingie! You know those ones you can slip eight or so pairs of shoes into little envelopes and then hang them in the wardrobe or off the back of the door? They're really good for tight spaces ... and of course for people with more than one pair of shoes!

[duck duck]

ohh this is a good one to think about...for starters....

can/bottle opener
torch
bluetack for all the pics she'll want to put on the walls
extension lead/double adaptors


*off to think of some more....*

[newlindy]

careful sis you know what happens when you start thinking lol

[duck duck]

*walks in sniffs the air....is that burning I can smell....yep my brain must be turning over again....lol cheeky *

[newlindy]

waves hand trying to clear the smoke

[CBGB]

ooh its gonna cost you a fortune!
I was gonna say extension lead - you beat me to it!

Primark do pop up laundry bakets but Ikea bags do a good job to take them to the launderette.

She needs her auntie tans address and home & mobile phone number incase she needs me for anything.

A swiss army knife always comes in handy for me - I use it almost everyday, I have the hikers knife, its got the most useful things on.

If she needs anything sewn she can visit me and put the kettle on while I do the sewing - refuse to iron though!!!!

Essential - your gonna hate me though - condoms! Bettre to be safe than sorry! Also those little bottle stoppers with small straw attached to stop people spiking your drink. I think you can get them from FRANK!

[rach71]

lol..she better not set fire to anything..lol although she quite likes a man in uniform lol..so fireman on standby

Tan I know she is gonna call on u..infact i would love to come up in summer n say hi...she can meet the girls and make friends?/...sure they would love to adoopt a big sister eh?

added to list..shoe holder for bck of door
torch
extension
blue tac

[Gizzy]

Robert Dyas have wind up torches, saves on batteries. We have a few at home and they are brilliant.