housewarming gift these days?

[echoesofspring]

We have a new neighbor across the street, what's a nice thing to give these days? In the past I've given homebaked goods but don't do that any more, a little fancy box of 'locally famous' cookies when I knew the person came from out of town. And I think I gave a couple poinsettias one year to someone who moved in around the holidays. From talking to the seller I think they are a young couple with a baby (and maybe their parents as well, given our HCOL). We're wine country but I'm sensitive a lot of people don't drink (and they might very well be in the business themselves).

I want to get this right b/c the previous owners hosted a feral cat community in their front yard (like 18 cats) and it was a bit of a ....situation. The cats have scattered, including into our yard and while we may adopt 1 or 2 of the friendlier ones as backyard pets we're not going to adopt or feed the colony and I don't think any of the other neighbors will either. Last weekend I talked to the local rescue when it was apparent the seller had left and we had 8 cats in our yard, they were reluctant to come out and rescue, they knew the colony and were caught off guard the seller had left and seemed to be hoping the new owners would take over. I could be wrong but I'm assuming someone with a 1 year old doesn't want a yard full of cat poop (you could smell it from the sidewalk). I think I need to bring up the situation asap so we can make a move on getting the cats rescued (and fed).

[pinkmomagain]

What about bringing over a pretty flower arrangement or plant?

[elbenn]

What about bringing over a pretty flower arrangement or plant?

I was just going to suggest this.

[gatorsmom]

I was going to suggest a pretty house plant but I was remembering how I neglected all my house plants when my kids were little and they all died. And I felt guilty about that. So I was going to suggest a box of mixed candies/ mixed nuts from a local candy store. Young people have the metabolisms to burn off those calories and if the candy is freezable they can pull it out to serve at the Holidays if they don?t want to eat it now. Same could be said of those locally ?famous cookies.? That?s a great idea. Besides, I find that I tend to remember the gifts I?ve received and copy those ideas when it?s my turn to give a gift. So hopefully they will think back to your gift when it?s their turn to give.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Don't stress about it. Someone can find fault with any gift or fall down a rabbit hole of what ifs. Like if you got a plant and it wasn't safe for their pets (or they feel guilty about neglecting it like gator ).
It's the thought that counts is my motto. I like consumables.
Remember too, they might be into wine, for example, but they could always regift it.
I'd get the local cookies.Also, write a little welcome note including the names (and maybe ages) of your household (the kids) and your cell number. I became good friends with my neighbor because I gave her my cell in her "welcome to the neighborhood" card and she texted me to ask simple questions like how garbage and recycling collection works. She didn't know anyone else so it became helpful to her and turns out we just clicked. And, if you don't click, at least maybe you have a way to reach them.

[echoesofspring]

write a little welcome note including the names (and maybe ages) of your household (the kids) and your cell number.

This is a great idea. I had planned on giving my number but hadn't thought beyond that. I wish we lived in a neighborhood where everyone knows each other but it feels like quite the opposite here. We hardly interact with anyone (except the neighbors on either side of us), both of which are kind of odd situations. I keep hoping maybe that will change a bit.