What Can I Give to a Friend That's Moving?

I recently moved. The best gift ever would have been to hire someone to clean the place I left. I was so tired and this was the last thing I wanted to do. FYI-you are a GOOD friend! :)

I will take it that she is driving by car where ever she is moving to??

A sweet note....share a special memory you have of her...

A gas card...

A brand new road atlas with a route highlighted out....
Heck - i'd even go to AAA and ask them to plan a route for them and suggest hotels if it's a long drive....they will be current on road construction, etc.

The ice chest should fit behind a seat - and not interfere with anyone's foot space. So think about that when purchasing it. If you can find one that uses the cars battery to keep things cold instead of ice packs? that would be great! I have one that holds 6 cans of soda in it....plug it in the wall the night before so it gets cold and get it in the car before you go...

The problem with the ice chest though? If she's already got so much stuff that she "doesn't want to take it with her"?? you are giving her something to "take with her" more clutter....

If she has young kids? Games for them to play on the road....

If she's passenger sometimes and not driving all the time? Book or magazine to read...

Good luck!! I know this will be tough!!

if i were moving i would want gift card for the restaurants near my new house. moving is tiring and the last thing i want to think about is having to make food.

Magazine to read en route, candy for trip ..

What about a gift card to a home store or something like that for when she moves - she can treat herself to a house warming gift from you? So she doesn't have to pack anything. I found when I moved we needed things - and to me, that would have been helpful. So it could be a home decorating store if that's her thing or even to Home Depot.

But if you mean something more sentimental then how about nice bracelet or something small and personal? It would depend on my friend I think. I have one who always appreciates a good book. Another always needs clothes so she loves gift certificates to her favorite clothing shop.

One of the best gifts we received was gift cards to restaurants in our new town. It really helped while unpacking and also helped us experience the new area.

I'd send your friend off with an ice chest of stuff for the road and wait until she's at her new place to send a house warming gift. Moving is overwhelming and the thought of more stuff will stress her out.

sounds like she's moving a distance. how about googling a nice spa in her new town and getting her a gift certificate for a massage, or a mani/pedi, or a facial...something you know she'll enjoy so she can let go of the stress of moving. how generous of you to think of such a great expression of friendship. what would we do without our girlies?
:-) S.

Gift card to a grocery store or restaurant in her new area.

I like to listen to books on cd while driving. Get her three of her favorite authors.

Good music makes me want to 'floor it'. lol

I think a gift card to a place near where she would be moving would be a great idea. The thought of having to find the dishes etc and cook something while unpacking can be overwhelming. If she has kids, get them something to occupy their time as well on the ride over. A collapsible cooler might be a better option vs a hard case and drinks, small snacks, even sandwiches would probably be welcomed for the trip.

A coworker, long ago, moved to another state. She took a cooler with snacks and freezer bags filled with cutup fruit. No worries about bowls to wash or store, and no problems stuffing the baggies into a smaller garbage bag in the car until they got to a rest stop.

How about a playlist for her to listen to while on the road? You could choose music that you both like or remind you of fun times. You could add in yourself talking or reminiscing or telling her funny stories between every couple of songs. Kinda like a mix tape (I'm showing my age here, aren't I?).

Lots of great ideas below. If you're really both in Santa Monica and she's moving far away, maybe something that will remind her of the beach - a pretty bottle of sand or shells, a nice painting/photo of the pier, or something that would remind her of 3rd Street.