Warm friends' hearts with simple gifts

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Every time I drive past my neighbor's house, I feel a pang of guilt. Back when the moving van pulled up, I was brimming with good intentions, eager to select just the right little gift that would tell them how happy we were to have them in the neighborhood. A few weeks went by, then a few months and, before I knew it, so much time had elapsed that the new neighbors had become old-timers.Now the House of Shame serves as a powerful reminder for me to never miss a moment when I can surprise someone with a special gift. To keep my new resolution, I'm going to plan ahead and keep some gifts on hand I can pull out in a pinch. If you want to do the same, here are some simple and inexpensive no-fail presents you can use as hostess, housewarming or thank-you gifts.Petite Bouquets in Beautiful DishesI know I'm a dishaholic who believes dishes are the answer to all of life's biggest questions. But seriously, a beautiful silver creamer, glass bud vase or ceramic pitcher filled with a sweet bouquet of fresh flowers makes the perfect housewarming gift.I was wild about a simple gift I received from a friend: a gilded antique wine glass cradling a solitary rosebud, the stem cut so low that the bloom almost floated. I was so crazy about this look that I've copied it hundreds of times. Whenever I have company, I pull out that wine glass, dress it with a tightly pruned rose and use it to brighten my powder room.Next time you're browsing through a home-decor shop, an antique mall or a flea market, be on the prowl for perfect little pieces you can use as vases. How about a sugar dish that has lost its lid, an unusual vase or a small gravy boat? Don't worry if you don't have a clue about the recipient's tastes, because these happy bouquets look perfect in anyone's home, whether perched on a windowsill, standing atop a stack of books on a desk or showcased on a bed stand.A JournalI love the possibilities presented in a gorgeous blank book, with page after snowy page just waiting to be filled. Consider giving your new neighbor or friend a journal she can fill with family memories, an account of her latest travels, a sketch of her new garden design, decorating projects she wants to tackle, addresses or personal thoughts. The sky's the limit!Tasty TreatsThere's nothing like taking new neighbors a home-cooked meal or yummy goodies on their first night in their new house, when their dishes and cooking supplies are still packed away. Since I can't cook worth a lick, I've had to come up with variations on this home-cooked theme, opting instead for carryout delicacies from a restaurant.If you don't want to do dinner, how about filling an inexpensive ice bucket with ice, fresh strawberries and a bottle of sparkling wine? Or pick out a wooden box and stock it full of candy from a shop. Find a cute picnic basket and fill it with scones, jam and coffee for breakfast, or artisan bread, imported cheese and salami for lunch.Survival BucketHow about putting together a treasure chest of little gifts to surprise your new neighbors or friends? How about a galvanized pail packed full of home fix-it fare, like a picture-hanging kit, a hammer, an extension cord, wood glue and a tape measure? If your new neighbors have young kids, put together a playful plastic pail filled with items that will keep the little guys busy while Mom and Dad unpack, such as a coloring book and crayons, bubbles, sidewalk chalk and a jump rope. If your neighbors are new to the area, fill a basket with brochures and cards from your favorite restaurants, shops, historical sites and parks, then add a city map they can use as they explore.(Mary Carol Garrity is the proprietor of three successful home-furnishings stores in Atchison, Kan., and the author of several best-selling books on home decorating. Write to Mary Carol at nellhills(at)mail.lvnworth.com. For more stories, visit scrippsnews.com.)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)