GUEST POST:Querie20 May 2009 02:38 pm
By Heather O.
Dear Mormon Mommy Wars:
A friend of mine at church is preparing to move herself, her husband, a seven-year old, a four year-old and a (nursing) babe-in-arms approximately 1300 miles.
I’ve already offered her my collection of boxes and taken the two oldest for a “do whatever Mum wants day.”
I’d like to give her something to take on the trip, like one of those mini-facials from the drug store: some small, easy to use, easy to carry treat for herself.
I realize that everyone has different tastes, but I thought I’d ask you experienced moms for your opinions on what would be the most useful and welcomed kind of treat.
Thank you for your help!
Proud Daughter of Eve
I love everything about Burt’s Bees. They have the cutest KITS — small, travel-sized, samples of many of their products. My Target carries these…probably not the selection they have on line, though.
Here is a link.
http://www.burtsbees.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SubCategoryDisplay?catalogId=10051&storeId=10001&langId=-1&subCategoryId=15539
Comment #1 by Melissa McMay 20th, 2009 at 3:03 pmFor me, the best and most useful thing on a long trip is food. A collection of small, tasty, take-along treats for me (and some I can share with the kids) would be the best gift ever (and I speak as someone preparing to move 1600 miles in 3 weeks).
Comment #2 by VadaMay 20th, 2009 at 3:12 pmMy favorite is a basket with dollar store what-nots that the kids can pick something out of when mom is at wits end. That and a divider like they have in limos.
Not exactly what you were going for, was it?
Comment #3 by shelaneMay 20th, 2009 at 3:19 pmSomething that won’t melt, spoil, or get ruined if accidentally left in a pocket in a new washing machine.
Comment #4 by kaduseyMay 20th, 2009 at 3:33 pmI would say give nothing. Honestly, she is going to have her hands full enough with stuff for the children. Maybe instead, flowers waiting for her at the other end of her move?
Comment #5 by GingerMay 20th, 2009 at 3:42 pmCarmex and Chocolate…I mean..I’m just saying..my two comfort items.
Comment #6 by ShantelMay 20th, 2009 at 3:52 pmMake her a cd with your favorite road tripping songs! Package it with some wipies (always need those on road trips), some treats and a magazine or two.
Comment #7 by JoleneMay 20th, 2009 at 4:21 pmMake her a cd with your favorite road tripping songs! Package it with some wipies (always need those on road trips), some treats and a magazine or two.
Comment #8 by JoleneMay 20th, 2009 at 4:21 pmGift certificates to McDonalds or Burger King or some other national chain so they can stop somewhere for dinner.
Comment #9 by mormonhermitmomMay 20th, 2009 at 5:46 pm*scribbles notes*
I’m not sure how they’ll be traveling - they won’t be going until around July - so a road-trip CD is a good idea but not one I’m sure she’ll be able to use.
I found this at the drug store today - on sale even.
I like the idea of the snacks and the baskets. She’s probably got some stuff like that of her own but I’ll see what digging I can do. I want to hope but I don’t want to overload her, you know?
Comment #10 by Proud Daughter of EveMay 20th, 2009 at 5:58 pmSnacks, light readin material and wet wipes are always welcome on the road (I’ve moved cross country with a toddler twice by myself). Another idea might be a gift card to McDonald’s or another chain that usually has play areas for the kiddies. The kids will hate their car seats and the parents will welcome the break.
Comment #11 by SinclairMay 20th, 2009 at 7:17 pmSnacks, light reading material and wet wipes are always welcome on the road (I’ve moved cross country with a toddler twice by myself). Another idea might be a gift card to McDonald’s or another chain that usually has play areas for the kiddies. The kids will hate their car seats and the parents will welcome the break.
Comment #12 by SinclairMay 20th, 2009 at 7:18 pmSomeone who moves (overseas) often with husband and three kids in tow, very familiar with this.
Comment #13 by KMay 21st, 2009 at 3:31 amThe best thing, whether car or plane move (done both, many times) is having a waiting dinner at the other end. Since you can’t be there to provide the dinner, you can provide certifcates to national chains or even get online and have a pizza delivered once you find out her address. It is just one less thing to worry about…and after a long time traveling, everyone is hungry, and tired.
K’s suggestion is perfect. We’ve moved a lot too (1300 miles is nothing now) and something for dinner the day you get there is wonderful. I like the idea of having pizza delivered, if possible, but if you do a gift certificate, make sure it’s for a place very close to home with detailed instructions of how to get there.
The best thing anyone ever gave us was a basket full of treats and games and coloring books for the drive. We’ve almost always moved on our own and had to do everything as cheap as we could, so that basket helped out a lot.
Personally, I wouldn’t want anything for me. The very last thing I want when I move is more stuff to deal with (the basket is different, because I could toss anything that we didn’t use when I got to our destination).
Comment #14 by AmiraMay 21st, 2009 at 10:24 amThank you everyone! I’ll have to look into the restaurants in the area. I know what city they’re going to but not where in the city.
Comment #15 by Proud Daughter of EveMay 21st, 2009 at 5:01 pmI made a friend a “Bucket-O-_____” (In my case it was Indiana) I filled it with all things Hoosier so she would remember her time here. (Everything from Orville Redenbacher popcorn and an Indy 500 matchbox car, to John Mellencamp music and a Notre Dame PEZ dispenser) They really enjoyed going through the bucket on their move east and talking together about the wonderful years they had in Indiana.
Comment #16 by KirstenMay 21st, 2009 at 6:27 pm