What would you give?

[disneyofcourse]

I have a pretty close family friend who moved into her first apartment rental and I still haven't decided on what type of gift card to get her. (She has asked for cards to help her get settled and her birthday is in a month anyway.) Here's what I'm down too!
-Ikea Furniture store card (She LOVES the look of this place)
-Grocery Store
-Gas Card
-Target

My giftcard limit is about $220-250. I would be even open to going to Ikea or Target and letting her spend a little more as long as I could be there to say if something might not be worth spending the money on. Basically I will up my budget if she see's something that seems better but its a little pricier.

I'm leaning towards either Target or Ikea for furniture and kitchen things since she moved in with nothing. Not even a bed/dresser since her mother kept that. (Yeah, she's angry at her for moving out at 19/20 and living alone) Her mom even refuses to give her any financial advice so I've been helping her out with that. I've even showed her the cvsing link on here to see if that's something she could do to save money.

I picked the top 4 out of a list she wrote but wondering which one would be best for someone with nothing starting out. Maybe I should just go ahead and get her a mattress(Surprise her with going shopping for one) since she's currently sleeping on a cheapo twin airbed. She spent her saved money on the deposits and 4 months of car payment (to stay ahead of payments). I told her not to buy furniture now and just keep her savings as high as possible right now. And just to accept any help that people offer. Others are buying her a dish set, bed sheet set, two lamps, a Target pot/pan set and so far I think that's it.

I'm just so excited for her and how she's handling everything! Just so proud of her! Even with her mother and sisters negativity. (Sister lives at home at 28 years old and to this day refuses to do anything for herself- Including laundry or working full time! She has been so negative towards her baby sister wanting to create something for herself)

 

[albertamommyof4]

i would either do Target as it has everything or split between a idea and a grocery store.
That is so awesome to do this for her and helping her with financial advice

 

[disneyofcourse]

Yeah, I'm thinking more and more about Target since they do have some furniture and especially kitchen things that everyone needs. Don't they have a dorm room section sometimes? When does that come out?

 

[GinnyEmma]

Target. Just my opinion.

 

[lizabu]

I would do target or Ikea. She could either get something big or small things like towels and sheets. I think Ikea might be cheaper and the $ may stretch a little further.

 

[chris31997]

Ikea is cool, but Target has food So, Target might be the way to go. She could split the card and get furniture, pots, cleaning supplies, linens, and food.

It is great that you are there to help her out and to help her succeed.

 

[girli565]

I could do damage with $200 in ikea. Does she need furniture or does she need linens and things like that? For furniture I'd say ikea, for linens and things like that I'd say target.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Maybe take her to some Goodwill types of stores to see what kinds of furnishings you can get. While I'm not fond of second hand upholstered furniture when you don't know who gave it (too many risks of different kinds of bugs IMO), you can get cheap furniture like dressers, dining tables with chairs, book shelves, etc this way. You can also go over with her how Freecycle works; she might be able to get some good stuff for free. If you don't find anything that you like at these stores then Ikea and Target are both great places for gift cards since they both carry reasonably priced stuff for furnishing a new place.

You're doing a great thing being there for this girl in so many ways (not only money but more importantly your time).

 

[stefplus3]

I'd do target. She's going to need cleaning supplies, a mop, toilet paper, dish sponge etc. plus food and she could get it all there. There are tons of little things you need that she probably hasn't thought of. Dustpan and broom.

 

[auralia]

IKEA all the way they also have a GREAT kitchen section with better prices that target along with the furniture you can also get linens there and art work at great prices. It beats the heck out of target imho. She sounds younger under in early 20's i'm guessing.. .i'll guarantee she will be way more excited about an ikea gift card then a target one!

 

[Liberty Belle]

I would do 200 at Target and 50 at Ikea. That's after taking her to Restore, Goodwill, and looking on Craigslist and Freecycle for things.

 

[scrapquitler]

I have a pretty close family friend who moved into her first apartment rental and I still haven't decided on what type of gift card to get her.

Bed, Bath and Beyond
Pier One
The Container Store
Crate & Barrell
Whole Foods
Trader Joe's
Home Depot/Lowes
JC Penney
Williams Sonoma
A garden center (she could get some plants or a kitchen herb garden)
Ikea
World Market (I keep seeing that store on some of the decorating shows and wish we had that here!)
Burlington Coat Factory (they have great bedding, curtains, etc here)

Or for an online place like:
Amazon.com
Overstock.com

 

[Liberty Belle]

Bed, Bath and Beyond
Pier One
The Container Store
Crate & Barrell
Whole Foods
Trader Joe's
Home Depot/Lowes
JC Penney
Williams SonomaA garden center (she could get some plants or a kitchen herb garden)
Ikea
World Market (I keep seeing that store on some of the decorating shows and wish we had that here!)
Burlington Coat Factory (they have great bedding, curtains, etc here)

Or for an online place like:
Amazon.com
Overstock.com

Those are cool places, but the OP said she doesn't even have a bed. I don't know how smart it would be to get her a gift card from those higher end stores.

 

[beavismom]

Since it seems that you can do a bit more for her than some others I would get the bed. You can get a decent twin mattress set at Sam's or Costco for around $300. She might have to put a little towards it, but having a good bed to sleep in at night is worth it and it is something that will last her for years. That will leave the smaller items for others who can't do as much.

 

[disneyofcourse]

I checked out the Ikea website for a few minutes between getting my work done. I found one called Beddinge Murbo its a sleeper sofa for $249-349 total. I also saw several $100-150 priced mattresses. I could buy her a frame, a mattress and still have money left over for some kitchen things. She is not picky at all, the only thing she wants is for it to be new. I totally agree with that since I can't stand used furniture. Too many "what if's" for me

 

[disneyofcourse]

Bed, Bath and Beyond
Pier One
The Container Store
Crate & Barrell
Whole Foods
Trader Joe's
Home Depot/Lowes
JC Penney
Williams Sonoma
A garden center (she could get some plants or a kitchen herb garden)
Ikea
World Market (I keep seeing that store on some of the decorating shows and wish we had that here!)
Burlington Coat Factory (they have great bedding, curtains, etc here)

Or for an online place like:
Amazon.com
Overstock.com

I can't even bring myself to buy things for MYSELF at some of those stores. Especially when you can get similar things at Target for way less.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Target, definitely. So many things go on clearance there all the time, she could use it a little at a time to get bedding, towels, furniture, etc.

 

[Greenepona]

I second Target and or IKEA.

IMHO tho, don't discount Craigslist or Freecycle. You never know what you might find. I got a brand new sleigh bed frame on Freecycle... the giver couldn't get it up their stairs. I have gotten some other very nice nearly new items on craigslist. It helped me furnish my apartment after my divorce. Its a good option to keep open, especially if she has nothing.

HTH

 

[momxx5]

My very first appartment took all my liquid money.....first/last/security deposit plus deposit/connection fees for utlities.

I woud put the word out to anyone and everyone that you bump into that she has her own place and is looking for some furniture. You would be surprised that some people have table/chair sets in their garage, or are looking to turn bedroom into den, etc.

I slept on a fold out cot.....I mean the basic almost military canvas cot, for close to 6 months.

My Grandma decided that she would buy me a sleeper/sofa so I had somewhere to sleep and then sit. It was greatly appreciated even if it was the most ugliest thing available for purchase in 1986. She picked what she was going to buy no questions asked. I was extremely appreciative and learned how to use fabric scraps to make a slip cover. LOL!

A bed was my happiest purchases. It was all mine and not in the main living area.

I was without a dining set, side tables, shelves, etc....even a dresser for many months. I think I could write a book about what I could do with cardboard boxes and milk crates.

You are extremely thoughtful for your offer to purchase her such a generous gift.

I would think about what she really needs most....maybe going in with a friend and then getting that.
Big Lots is often left out when thinking of furniture, but we once bought a clearance wing-arm chair from there and it has held up for many, many yrs.

They have bedroom sets, furniture....like dining sets, shelving units, even sectional sofas for a couple hundred dollars.....close to your budget.

Good luck.
Keep us posted what you got.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Personally, I think she would be better served by getting some less expensive items at tag/garage sales and Goodwill type stores if $$ is tight. There are some great bargains with people downsizing etc...
A gift card is great, and I think a VISA card is even better, because she can use it ANYWHERE she wants and will not be locked into any one place, I mean it could be for Food, or Personal items, or towards anything....
Might you consider making the presentation FUN, like maybe the card in an origami piece, just something she will fondly remember, from YOU, her very good friend. Best of Luck to her and its so nice to read something so Positive and Kind...you are quite generous!