My friends (family with 3 kids) are moving from Zurich to New York (or surroundings) next week. We wanted to make them a small gift but something usefull in US rather than memorable about CH - they already have too many things to carry and won't have too high income at the beginning. They are not US citizens if it matters and move there without furniture.

Is there any kind of Gutschein we could buy for them for use in US. Maybe at some popular restaurant / supermarket network? Kind of IKEA? Are there any other ideas?

Thanks!

Yes, the options are unlimited, you can buy gift certificates for about anything and usually online (gift certificate is the key word to google). It really depends on what they like. One of the easy ones is Amazon because they sell everything but not sure that is special enough.

there are several Ikeas in the NY area

Hm, Target stores are very popular and I think you could order a gift card online for that. They sell clothes, housewares, toiletries, groceries, etc. and are located in lots of places. If you know roughly where they're living, you could see if there's one nearby: http://www.target.com/

I would say a gift card (which you can order online) for Ikea or any other houseware/furniture store: Williams Sonoma, Bed Bath & Beyond, Crate and Barrell, Target.

That was the best/most appreciated gift I received when I had to move to a different US city after graduation, had to buy furniture, and had very little money.

By the way, I believe you should be able to purchase the gift card online and have it shipped to their address of choice in the US no problem. If the website only gives you the option of paying with a US credit card/US address, call their customer service and place the order directly with them. I had that situation once, I was trying to buy a gift card as a wedding present to be sent to a US address but wanted to pay with my credit card that has a Swiss address, and the website wouldn't let me. I called the customer service of the store, explained the situation, and the excellent customer representative placed my order on the spot. Total call time: 10 minutes.

will they be in New York City or elsewhere in New York state?

Target stores are a great idea and very popular and easy to find and the sell some nice furniture items that can be delivered to your door. Amazon is another idea.

Sear's
JC Penny
Macy's
Best Buy
Sur la Table
Bed Bath and Beyond
Pier 1 Imports
Value City
Pottery Barn

Strictly Furniture:
Roomstore
Rooms To Go
Lay-Z-Boy
Ethan Allen
Haverty's

Warehouses:
Sam's
Costco
BJ's


grocery stores are very regional and I'm not familiar with the food stores in NY.

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Whole Foods (or Whole Paycheck as some Americans like to call it), for groceries. Or Trader Joes.

The other stores are pretty regional and quality can vary.

Buying a Costco membership for them might be interesting. If that can be done and one is in their area.

You cant really go wrong with Macy's for home furnishings either especially in NY area. They have everything from clothes, to furniture.

Trader Joe's - definitely!! It's an incredibly popular, very cheap but high quality food store with lots of international foods so they won't miss home :-)

Target - reasonably priced housewares, clothes, etc. Loved shopping there.

Costco membership - nice idea and with 3 kids, it's totally worth it.

As for Macy's and Whole Foods - they're a bit on the pricey side in my opinion but Macy's does have good sales.

Perfect! So many ideas - thank you!!!

I'd probably stick to furniture / house items. From this list: "Williams Sonoma, Bed Bath & Beyond, Crate and Barrell, Target" - what is closest to IKEA in the price/quality? Or is IKEA still the best option?

The won't buy fancy things since in 2-3 years they probably move somewhere else.

Williams Sonoma is bloody expensive.

Ikea is still probably the best value for money.

Bob's Discount Furniture is another choice in NYC area.

http://www.mybobs.com/

There is one in Queens and some in Connecticut. Probably elsewhere. Gift card link right on top.

Tahnks for info!

And Target? Just looked at their webpage - very similar to IKEA imho.

Target is great for home furnishings (it is low cost but still stylish), not sure about furniture, never look at it there.

Targets are everywhere (unlike Sam's club or Walmart which is limited in the Northeast).
Some might consider stores such as Target below them though (if that makes sense). Probably not an issue though.

I would go with JC Penny. It has everything, great quality stuff at all price. With tons of specials and reductions offered all the time. My mom bought some very nice bedding sheets for very little money, I couldn't believe it. I also bought the prettiest dresses for my daughter there.

Check on their website for an idea of what they sell.

Thanks again everyone. We looked up all the options and decided for Target