A few gift ideas from a former nomad
Living in different cities throughout the country has given us many
blessings and a different perspective of life outside of the Midwest. Mostly,
it has given us amazing friends and memories spanning the U.S. It has also confirmed
that Cincinnati is the place we want
to call home. (Although anyone who has been to Denver says we are nuts!)
Here are two lessons I learned, that have led to great gifts for friend’s
of mine who are moving.
Lesson 1: There are some things you can’t take with you, like the
flavors of a city and your friends. I wish there was a way to bottle up the
amazing pizza from Boston's North End along with my girlfriends Sara, Marybeth
and Erin, but it wouldn't be the same. And let's be honest, there is nothing
like Denver's green chili or the yummy pineapple upside down pancakes from Snooze.
Even if I made it at home, it wouldn’t be the same without my Mile High
crew. So if you have a friend leaving your fair city, give them two things that
will leave a good taste in there mouth and memories to take on their journey.
For our friend Amy we did a Taste of Cincinnati Basket, complete with all the
flavors you can’t get outside the Queen City. Second, we included a picture
frame so she could display her favorite Cincinnati memory in her new Nashville
home.
Lesson 2: After moving over a
dozen times, you become an expert in how to properly label, pack and prep for
an upcoming move. But moving can be a battle, and as Moltke the Elder said, “No battle plan, survives contact with the
enemy.” Your enemy here is memory. No matter who many times I have moved,
it’s always the first night in the new place I am strapped to find contact
solution, a toothbrush, scissors and sometimes a bottle opener. For my friends
the Mullins, who moved across town, I created an untraditional house warming
gift complete with these helpful items for their first night in their new home.
- Contact Solution
- Soap
- Paper plates, silverware and napkins
- Corkscrew & scissors
- Bottle of your choice
- Toilet paper (I wrapped two rolls in pretty paper)
- Toothbrushes
- Cleaning wipes
- Makeup wipes
- Mini first aid kid (hello paper cuts!)
- Kitchen soap
- Put it all in a cute basket they can use in their new home!
For those of you who are saying goodbye to a friend who is moving
away or helping a friend move across town, I hope these ideas are helpful.
Last, if your friend is moving please know there is no better gift to give
someone moving than a helping hand.
Safe travels!
