548924 Fri Aug 15 06:41:54 -0700 2008 17 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 3959373 I am going to a housewarming and wanted to bring a gift. But I have no idea what I can bring that the couple will actually use. I was thinking of stopping by Williams Sonoma this afternoon and picking up something small, simple, modestly priced. I know WS isn't bargain bin, but I am willing to spend about $30-40. Any ideas? Or can anyone steer me towards another store? Fri Aug 15 06:42:01 -0700 2008 147735 italiangrl77 1 3959532 How about a gallon of good extra virgin olive oil....They would certainly use it, instead of some chachtka that hides in a drawer. Fri Aug 15 07:37:01 -0700 2008 3959373 178131 BiscuitBoy 2 3959549 I was given that as a house warming gift and it was certainly welcome. Fri Aug 15 07:44:34 -0700 2008 3959532 10985 MMRuth 2 3979210 WS is where we buy our Ravida olive oil...love it! Fri Aug 22 14:14:44 -0700 2008 3959532 11408 melly 1 3959575 Japanese teapot + tea cups and some good quality green tea. Fri Aug 15 07:53:17 -0700 2008 3959373 146613 Evilbanana11 1 3959967 Thanks appreciate it. They both use olive oil AND drink lots of tea! Fri Aug 15 10:04:09 -0700 2008 3959373 147735 italiangrl77 1 3960217 If they like to entertain, a plain white platter or other serving piece is nice. If it's plain, it doesn't have to match their other china, and it will get used. Nice dishtowels, again plain ones, are a great gift too. I love the big white flour sack ones. Fri Aug 15 11:27:51 -0700 2008 3959373 74556 manraysky 1 3960703 It may be pushing the $$$, but (ditto the "if they like to entertain"), how about a cheese board; aka, large wooden cutting board to hold a variety of cheeses and fruit. A few years ago, I got a nice sized, reasonably priced board at Crate and Barrel, but you may find a bargain at department/discount stores. Fri Aug 15 14:12:24 -0700 2008 3959373 216999 CocoaNut 2 3962460 I just bought a cheese board from The Red Envelope Co., and online store. It's for a shower gift, and the board has a little flat drawer underneath to hold 3 cheesecutters (different shapes). I thought it was a neat idea, because when storing and going for it, it's all right there! It was $50 though. Sat Aug 16 12:38:54 -0700 2008 3960703 15691 mcel215 1 3961290 WS has really, really good Japanese soy sauce and rice vinegar. Also, the Mustapha's Moroccan olive oil they sell is generally excellent. Finally, sometimes they have a pear and vanilla bean jam that is wonderful. (Pear and vanilla combine very nicely.) Fri Aug 15 18:40:18 -0700 2008 3959373 10134 David Kahn 1 3961418 Industrial pack of commercial kitchen towels Twenty or 30 same-sized freezer containers Three good whisks or spatulas or tongs Ten to twenty Japanese vegetable scrubbing brushes Heap of high quality zip-loc bags of different sizes Year's supply of parchment paper Big bunch of different sized disposable aluminium roasting and lasagna pans Blowtorch (optional if they have one) and 20 gas cartridges Case or two of good but cheap wine glasses Twenty sets of high-quality (semi)-disposable settings Five-hundred sets of inexpensive chopsticks A huge stock pot Stuff that I always use, need, could use more of, and that you all can send me anytime! Fri Aug 15 19:52:52 -0700 2008 3959373 36661 Sam Fujisaka 2 3961593 Sam you're a riot.....but I could use a few of those things also.....lol Kitchen towels are always good Chopping board Basket with jams and jellies Salsa's and spices I try to buy things that people are always wanting to try but never take the time to buy them for themselves. Fri Aug 15 21:50:49 -0700 2008 3961418 40385 othervoice 3 3961634 I was more serious with this post than most others in that I listed what I would want. Let's toast with a diet caffiene free peanut ambosia... Fri Aug 15 22:24:03 -0700 2008 3961593 36661 Sam Fujisaka 2 3962041 My SIL did something similar for me as a housewarming/wedding gift -- and included toilet paper, trash bags, and cleaning supplies. It was an awesome gift as we were moving 600 miles into a new apartment. I packaged everything back up, supplemented with a few other things, and made sure her gift was on top. Ever since then when I think of housewarming/wedding gifts her bag comes to mind. Sat Aug 16 08:00:14 -0700 2008 3961418 63906 odkaty 1 3961665 I highly recommend something edible that you know they will like and use. It's sometimes difficult to determine what their taste would be in plates, kitchen towels, etc. Most people would probably think I would love things that are understated. But I love kitchen things that are bright, loud and a bit kooky (like pylones). I think the olive oil and tea are excellent ideas. I'd also probably appreciate something like good balsamic vinegar. I find that most people who generally have the supermarket bottle of $3 balsamic of modena are astounded when they first taste a better brand. Fri Aug 15 23:15:19 -0700 2008 3959373 10763 Miss Needle 2 3962248 I agree with you about the vinegar, MN. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't love to receive a small bottle of very old balsamic. It is so versatile and so good. And a little goes a long way. Sat Aug 16 10:18:30 -0700 2008 3961665 162997 lattelover 1 3963788 Nutmeg grinder with a container of whole nutmeg Microplane with a large bar of high quality chocolate Sun Aug 17 08:54:42 -0700 2008 3959373 36312 HillJ 1 3979220 I would love to get the big kitchen cotton towels, along with some great EVOO. Fri Aug 22 14:17:26 -0700 2008 3959373 11408 melly