posted
Some of Ron's clients have invited us to their housewarming party. No big deal, this happens a lot. It's usually fun.
Now, Ron usually gives his clients a closing gift, depending on what they need. One lady was pregnant and he gave her a babies R us gift certificate. Hammocks, tickets to the zoo for younger families, various things. He also gave his past clients pumpkins a couple weeks before halloween. Even the ones he hopes he never sees again get a closing gift (though probably not the 'keep me in mind for future business' gifts).
Anyway, a nice wine has been our usual gift for the housewarming parties so far, though we always make sure that the people would appreciate it.
This weekend we're going to a housewarming for a young Mormon couple. It's their first house. So, at last, I come to my question: Is there anything traditional to give for housewarmings in LDS culture? Just curious. I thought maybe a collection of various types of honey, or preserves. Or maybe a nice bird feeder or wind chime, depending.
posted
All of those things sound like great ideas. As far as I can tell I never got the impression that ANYTHING can be called "the mormon gift" But hey I don't pretend to be the only Mormon out there, there may be some that feel otherwise.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
I don't know of anything "traditional", but, you know, if they're just starting out, you could give a Home Depot gift cert., or some cute little knick-knacky thing, or if they have pets, how about a pretty ceramic food dish?
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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If I were buying for a fellow mormon, I'd probably spring for a gift certificate to Bed, Bath & Beyond, Linen's & Things, or some such place. If I really wanted to impress them, something from Pottery Barn maybe.
Personally, I'd love a gift from Ikea, but they don't have those everywhere...
Hope that helps...
Oh and Pops, I'd kill for those... Yummy!
Posts: 995 | Registered: May 2003
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Or . . . *ducks the blow about to come* a set of His, Hers, Hers, and Hers towels.
[Disclaimer: Yes, I know the LDS church does not condone polygamy. Yes, I know this. It's a joke. Please don't beat me with your shoes]
Posts: 1735 | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Ooh! How about a pretty spice rack set? You know, the kind that comes with a few spices? That's a wonderful gift. Of course, I was given a spice carosel as a wedding gift and I love it to pieces. And at my bridal shower, because my friend who gave it for me had asked if there was anything I would like to focus on specifically and I said I could deal with anything as long as I had a well-outfitted kitchen, not only asked people to focus on the kitchen things but assigned each of them a spice to bring me a jar of. It was wonderful, I started out with plenty of spice in my marriage. So I may be prejudiced in favor of spice racks.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Mormon culture, while sometimes a bit weird and incomprehensible, (yes, I'm LDS) doesn't really have any traditions for things like this. Some might argue differently but these people are usually confusing Bonneville Basin (the area that takes in Utah and parts of Idaho and Arizona) culture with Mormon culture. They overlap but ain't the same. As long as you don't give a nice espresso machine, you're probably fine.
Posts: 1631 | Registered: Sep 2001
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posted
How about a plant of some kind? And I'd have to say if you're talking about lime jello, there had better not be shredded carrots....eek!
Posts: 697 | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
Good sign that it ISN'T the gift of choice. It had probably been sitting around since their own housewarming. "Dangit, what're we gonna do with the wheat can?" "Just leave it. Some crazy Baptists will probably take it."
Posts: 5663 | Registered: Jun 2000
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I think the recipients are atheists though. And I'm pretty sure they tossed the thing out. Although they may have contacted the local LDS organization to see if anyone wanted it.
Posts: 22497 | Registered: Sep 2000
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posted
You know, a good bottle of nice non-alcholic grape juice can easily substitute for the wine. Culturally, although not traditionally, I have noticed this is a Mormon favorite. I know I would love some and buy that kind of thing on special times; especially New Years. You have never spent New Years if you haven't spent it without everyone getting smashed Posts: 2207 | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
I was hoping this thread would be about a sort of Magic 8-Ball toy that gives you a random Mormon question whenever you shake it.
Since I'm not Mormon, I couldn't make the device, but I could do the Random Catholic Question device (for 8 and up; in stores now!).
* Sure, she's nice, but is she Catholic? * (At the confessional) You did *WHAT*? * Where exactly *is* the book of Hezekiah? * So does He ever say the word, or what? * What's with that grey cross on your forehead? * Are you seriously telling me the Mardis Gras feast is a spaghetti supper in the social hall? * If Methodists aren't Catholic, why do they keep referring to "holy Catholic church?" * If you break the Lenten fast by eating at McDonald's, isn't that punishment enough?
Posts: 1877 | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
I was totally going with food storage items. People do have to leave their food storage behind when they move, quite often, so I would think a great housewarming gift for a Mormon would be a 20 lb bag of rice or something like that. Okay, that's pretty dull, I admit, but we LDS never set out to be a flashy and exciting people, you know? That's just not our thing.
How about an assortment of preserves of different fruits in a decorative box? Sort of like wine but without the alcohol.
Hmmm, a framed cross-stitched version of the Declaration on the Family?
A collection of fruit and vegetable seeds of all types in a little basket? They'll be planting a garden, most likely, come springtime. A garden really makes a place feel like home. There's also the metaphoric angle of putting down roots, etc.
Any food or drink items that don't include alcohol, caffeine, or coffee/tea elements or flavorings would be good. Different people interpret the Word of Wisdom in slightly different ways, but if you want to be safe don't include any of those. Chocolate is universally acceptable, though, as far as I can tell, despite having some small amount of caffeine.
Posts: 6246 | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
I'm LDS. When my in-laws came to visit me in America for the first time their family sent gifts with them to give me. My wife's aunt, hearing that I was Christian (they're all Muslim, so to them a Christian is a Christian) sent me an enormous, ornate wrought-iron crucifix.
I was very touched and we still have the gift... in the same box it was sent in.
Posts: 2804 | Registered: May 2003
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posted
My computer crashed after I posted this thread. We went with the sparkling cider (a peach variety, since this is Georgia and all). It went over well. The hubby is trying to keep his closing gifts separated from other things for business purposes, so we went with something small. They were a cute couple. He met her while on his mission to Utah. She has a seven year old daughter who was just adorable. Most of the people there were his family, and most of them just stared blankly at each other. Ron was glad he had me with him, since I seem to be pretty good at handling social obligations, where his tendency is to descend into uncomfortable awkwardness.
Anyway, thanks for all your help!
Posts: 9293 | Registered: Aug 2000
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So I may be prejudiced in favor of spice racks.
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Joldo
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