Present ideas for a groom

[Kat]

Young relative is due to start a new job as a live in groom for a top rider, he's been working at a yard for years but this is the first time living in and the first time living away from home, it is also a step up in terms of the type of yard. Incredibly exciting but also a bit daunting and I think he's quite nervous.

I'd like to buy him a small good luck/settling in present, or put together a bit of a care package for him to take with him. Any suggestions for small gifts? Can any grooms think of things that they find really useful or that make life a bit more pleasant? Or can anyone who has recently moved out of home and into shared accommodation think of any bits and bobs that would have been useful or made you feel more at home?

I'm not intending spending loads just putting together a few bits to let him know we are thinking of him.

Thanks

 

[welshpony216]

A couple of years ago I worked as a "groom" at a riding school. My mum gave me a sweatshirt that had a funny horse joke on it, and it made me smile everyday, even when I had to walk through a supper muddy field to find someone forgot to put a sheet on the gray pony the day before a show, and one of the geldings spooked and ran through the electric fence lol. maybe even a nice new pair of socks as there are not many things worse than getting your socks all wet very early in the morning and not being able to change until the afternoon, then realizing the only clean pair have more holes in them than your gelding's old rug!

 

[benz]

So kind of you, I used to be a groom and would suggest - thin but warm gloves (if waterproof even better!) snood, woolly hat or cap depending on the persons taste (again if magically waterproof that would be amazing!), Aveeno moisturiser cream for hands and feet for living in shared digs chocs and alcohol were good for making friends ime. Sounds like a great opportunity hope he enjoys!

 

[Ossy2]

I bought one of our Grooms this year for Christmas a personalised swish army knife, she said it was one of the best presents she’d had as the yard scissors or knives are never on hand where they needed them. Wasn’t overly expensive either

 

[Kat]

Great suggestions thanks, I seem to remember from my student days that chocolate biscuits were normally good for getting on the right side of your housemates. The accommodation sounds quite nice compared to my student digs, I was thinking about all the stuff I used to cope in a grotty shared house but I think it sounds a bit nicer than I was expecting.

It is a fantastic opportunity, but it is a tough time to be moving out of home. No opportunities to go out to the pub or visit a friend.

 

[AFB]

Based on current weather conditions I think warm things, i.e. some good socks, headband (I prefer to hats personally), gloves, snood etc. would be a nice gift but it depends on how soon they're due to start - and maybe a bottle of gin or something to help the aches and pains!

 

[HorsesRule2009]

It's a bit random but I LOVE my slow cooker, as can turn it on when I leave house in the morning and nice hot food ready when I get home and minimal effort.
Also a good thermos coffee mug as can take it out to the yard with me and have a quick glug of coffee as I go with out it getting cold or having to stop and make a brew.

Along with good gloves/socks/thermals/wellies/waterproofs!!.
I hope he enjoys his new job ?

 

[Kat]

So basically all stuff for keeping warm I should have known!

Can you recommend a really good thermos mug? I know he has some insulated mugs but they don't keep warm for that long.

He doesn't really drink so alcohol isn't really going to hit the spot.

Does anyone use handwarmers? Are there any that are reusable but can be recharged in the microwave rather than a pan of hot water?

 

[splashgirl45]

You can buy handwarmers that are some sort of gel but they are £1 each pair and not re usable, you just take them out of the wrapping and scrunch them up and they stay hot in your pocket for ages, i keep some in the car in case i get stranded somewhere as my hands go numb very quickly and it makes me miserable.. you could get him a small supply of them for emergencies

just looked on amazon, they are called hot hands just over £7 for 10 pairs

 

[AML]

Suntq for a mug that keeps hot for a few hours. Made it at 7.00 and was just cool enough for me to drink at 10.00.

Gloves that you don't have to take off to use your smartphone. I've become a dab hand using my nose but it's not a cool look.

 

[Kat]

Using your nose to operate a smartphone is such a horse person skill! Funnily enough I bought him some fingerless gloves for Christmas because I hate taking gloves off and putting them back on all the time and he's terrible for not wearing gloves because they are a faff. He's worn them everyday since so I could get him a couple more pairs as they are only about £2

 

[Annagain]

I have a good thermos flask with a flip lid (you push a button to open it) and spout you can drink out of. It keeps things hot for far longer than a mug but you can still drink out of it really easily. This is it https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermos-Di...63&hvtargid=pla-420029079062&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

I'd also second the slow cooker - I heard a thing on the radio the other day where a charity are providing them to people who are placed in homeless accommodation where there may not be a kitchen. A lot of these places just have microwaves which mean that, realistically, you can only eat ready meals which are both expensive and not necessarily healthy. By giving them slow cookers thy can prepare a healthy meal. Just goes to show how good they are. You could maybe add an easy recipe book and some staple ingredients?

 

[ruth83]

Something like a student cookbook depending on their cooking skills. Cheap and easy meals which can be for 1 or 4 depending on living situation.
A hot water bottle or heat pad for aches and pains or to warm the bed if the heating is on timers which don't suit working hours.
Not sure how useful the thermal function is, but one of those thermal mugs that can't be knocked over!
A 'normal' mug which is easy to identify as their own in the kitchen chaos

 

[Ceifer]

If he’s living in I think a care package is a good move. Lots of snacks, some body care stuff, basic food items, hot chocolate is always a winner.
I lived in with various jobs and experienced both ends of the spectrum. From living with 10 other girls who were for lack of better word - dirty. One girl I had to show how to use the washing machine as she’d never washed her own clothes.
But I was also lucky to live in a really nice accommodation with a weekly cleaner and lovely people.

 

[Lexi_]

So basically all stuff for keeping warm I should have known!

Can you recommend a really good thermos mug? I know he has some insulated mugs but they don't keep warm for that long.

He doesn't really drink so alcohol isn't really going to hit the spot.

Does anyone use handwarmers? Are there any that are reusable but can be recharged in the microwave rather than a pan of hot water?

We have Hot Rox (?) for the volunteers at work and they’re brilliant. Look like a black pebble and you recharge them off a USB.

 

[AFB]

Gloves that you don't have to take off to use your smartphone. I've become a dab hand using my nose but it's not a cool look.

I thought it was just me! It's a handy skill to learn

 

[Kat]

Ohh more suggestions thanks, I'll have to check with his Mum what he's got.

I love my slow cooker, what a good idea that they are giving them to people in emergency accommodation. When we had our kitchen replaced we managed meals for a week from a combination of the slow cooker, and the microwave, set up in the lounge. We ate really well although it took a bit of thought.

I'd quite like to get him one but I'm not sure about the kitchen set up or whether working hours would be conducive.

I have seen a cooking for one cook book that might be good.

 

[teapot]

Winter kit is a definite as he'll use it in those freezing cold biblical July rain days too.

Depending on budget, what about a monthly sub to something nice food/supplies wise/netflix? Grooms only get away with eating so much crap because they burn the calories off, and a Netflix sub means he'll make friends quicker with others living in.

Oh, a decent pillow!

 

[Sealine]

Until recently I used a thermos travel mug but I got one of these for christmas and they are completely spill proof and keep a drink hot for hours. I love mine https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B071VNKM55/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have the large size which is pretty big but I believe they do a smaller version.

 

[Kat]

Quick bump for any final ideas before I order lots of stuff for keeping warm!

 

[HollyWoozle]

How about a decent pair of waterproof trousers or chaps that he wouldn't buy for himself? They'd certainly get used at this time of year and I think a lot of people end up with cheapy ones which aren't suitable for regular/heavy wear?