The condo next to mine sold last month and I've noticed a middle-aged woman and a couple of her friends moving items into it slowly over the last week or so. All I know is that she works full time and her name is Sally.

I'm debating what I should offer from the kitchen to welcome her to her new home.

I'm leaning toward giving her a pampered chef ice cream scoop (a few years back I mistakenly ended up w/ 6 of them- a couple of which remain un-used and in the box) and a mason jar of fudge sauce for ice cream- possibly a mason jar of raspberry topping, too.

What are some items you've given when welcoming new neighbors, over the years?

Cultures are so different. It really tickles me. If you had been Welsh..... as soon as you had seen the new neighbours put one foot over the threashold you would have been over there like a shot with a tray of tea and a packet of Marie biscuits. Within half an hour you know who they are, who their parents/brothers/sisters were, where they came from, where they work, how any kids they have, what school they attend, marital status, pets, what car do they drive. Mind you the exchange of information would have been equal. (This is if both parties are Welsh I does not happen with the English or Scottish.) Welsh are so friendly and interested in people they border on down right nosey:D and nothing breaks the ice more than a nice pot of tea.

Small towns in the U.S. (and even many folks in larger cities) are like that too, Keziah. It will likely be this way w/ my new neighbor and I as well, however she hasn't actually moved-in and taken occupancy yet- she just drops by from time to time to unload a piece of furninture or box of belongings- quickly takes it inside to drop-off, then leaves again. And this occurs during the daytime when I am sleeping. (I work nights and sleep days- her arrivals often wake me and I spy on her in my night-clothes as I rise for a quick minute to see what noise has disturbed me...)

Night shift you say, what kind of night work do you do? I used to love the nightshift much more relaxed. I used to find 3 am was the sleepy time. I used to ring the canteen for cheese on toast and a cup of strong coffee.

I am into cookies and a little hand-painted welcome card.

Reminds me of a time right after 9/11 and we arrived home to find a plate of brownies and a thank you note, it read "These are not poisioned and I hope you enjoy them!" forgot to sign it, and I was terrified of terrorists at the time> anthrax was also floating around in the news, I just did not know what to do:o Well I finally found out who had sent them so I thawed them and ate them:)