Hi everyone, hope you all had a good weekend. My oldest son moved out this year to live on his own. Even though he 20 and independant he's still a child at heart when it comes to christmas, at least mom thinks so. I came up with the idea of making him an emergency christmas kit for his new home, I.m going to make him a christmas wreath for his front door, a flanel quilt with appliqued christmas designs on it, get him a string of out door lights, a can of his favorite butter cookies, go to the goodwill and get him a bunch of tree ornaments, make him a large stuffed snow man for a decoration, some fire wood tied with a bow and holly to sit by his fire place. I may paint a few decorations for inside his house and a gallon of his favorite egg nog. Any one have any ideas for things I can do that would be easy and inexpensive to add to the box. I plan on leaving it on his front porch Thanksgiving. Oh yes also a good house cleaning and laundry washing. any thing else? thanks Ronda

-- ronda (thejohnsons@localaccess.com), November 06, 2000

Answers

It may be hard for you to part with, but how about some of the ornaments and decorations he grew up with? the sentimental value would be worth more than anything you could buy. Our daughter's been away from home for 6 years now (still quite a child at heart also) and every year I give her a little something from her childhood, an ornament, a quilt, a cookie tin, etc. One idea is to frame a couple of photo's of your son at various Christmases as he was growing up in a holiday decorated frame. It makes a great, inexpensive decoration and is usually quite a conversation piece when their friends come to their house.

-- Rose Marie Wild (wintersongfarm@yahoo.com), November 06, 2000.

all that,, AND a house cleaning and laundry service??? can I be on your christmas list?

-- STAN (sopal@net-port.com), November 06, 2000.

Hi Ronda, If you have any extra time, please stop be my house too!! How about this idea? A homemade recipe book of all his favorite foods you feed him in is youth. Other options, but not so cheap, would be anything for the kitchen or the laundry room. I learned how to make laundry soap from this board and it works great!!That was cheap to make and well worth the effort.

-- Bill (Sticky@2side.tape), November 06, 2000.

Ronda: How about a bunch of popped popcorn? Flavored types maybe? That isn't expensive, would be good for him, too. Maybe tape some Christmas music if he has something to play it on. If he doesn't need the housecleaning/laundry, I DO, and you're welcome to come over! Cheers! Jan

-- Jan in Colorado (Janice12@aol.com), November 06, 2000.

I know! I know! How's bout some BEEF STEW?!!!!! Course a fruit cake would be most welcomed here at my house--just in case you're drivin by! Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), November 06, 2000.

I always give out a copy of the book "Where's Mom When I Need Her?" (with a cover illo of a profusely smoking cooking pan). It covers cooking, cleaning, and general household maintaince advice. Not one person has been insulted, and they are usually grateful.

-- Julie Froelich (firefly1@nnex.net), November 06, 2000.

When each of my children moved out I included a gift cert. to the nearest groc. store. Usually, $10.00 worth and a little note that said " for hard times". I also give this to them EVERY Christmas and birthday ,even now. I also gave them to their room mates when they were in college. Now that they are all older they admitted it would have been hard to make it some times with out the cert.!

P.S. can I get on the list for cleaning! I would love to get it right before Thanksgiving but anytime will do! LOL

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), November 07, 2000.

How about the video "Home Alone"!!

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@msn.com), November 07, 2000.

A smoke detector and fire ext. if he doesn't have one .

-- Patty (fodfarms@slic.com), November 07, 2000.

Thanks everyone for your input must try the BEEF STEW!!! I here it goes with everything lol.

-- ronda (thejohnsons@localaccess.com), November 07, 2000.

My mother included a small photo album with pictures of my childhood and family holidays and a cassette of our favorite Christmas music in my survival box she gave me when I moved out.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), November 07, 2000.