Whether you’re moving across town or clear across the country, the contents of your life get shuffled. The transition can make even the most excited mover feel anxious.

So instead of delivering a houseplant, consider a gift card to make the move more manageable.

See what’s available in the GCG Store.

Fixer Upper

Get Inspired: If your friends just bought the money pit, chances are good they’ll be spending a fair amount of time at the home improvement store. Get a gift card to the one closest to their new home and attach it to a “quick fix” product like duct tape, super strength glue, lubricant, or a miracle remover.

Fresh Coat

Get Inspired: As my sister Shannon (Designer and host of DIY Network’s Fresh Coat) will tell you, the easiest and most economical way to update a home is to change its color.

Get a gift card to the local paint or home improvement store and pair it with a new drop cloth, stir stick, or paint brush. And if you want to be a real friend, offer to come help paint!

Downsizing

Get Inspired: Give someone who has to move everything they own into smaller or fewer storage compartments the gift of organization. Get a gift card to a home supply or organization store and attach it to a label maker, a matching set of hangers, or those hooks that stick to but don’t ruin walls. It’s so much easier to settle in if you have a place for everything.

Moving on up!

Get Inspired: If your friend is moving up in the world, then she’ll have more rooms to decorate (and dust and clean). Get her a new toilet brush (who wants to pack that?!?) or another cleaning supply and attach a home store gift card. She’ll think of you every time she cleans her new bathroom!

Moving to the city

Get Inspired: Find an online map (or blog or newspaper article) of all the hot spots in the new area. Get a gift card to a restaurant or another attraction you think he’ll enjoy. Package it up with driving directions or the bus/subway schedule. Or buy a little bottle of red paint and attach a note that reads, “Paint your new town red!”

Moving to the suburbs

Get Inspired: If you’re moving to the burbs, you gotta have a barbeque. Get a gift card to a barbeque store or local butcher. Attach it to a new spatula, rib rub, or barbeque mitt. Throw in a quote from Homer Simpson, “You don’t win friends with salad.” You don’t win neighbors that way either. Crank up the grill and enjoy.

Stock the Cupboard

Get Inspired: It’s hard to cook when the kitchen is torn apart. If you’re delivering a gift to the new place, get a gift card to a restaurant or grocery store and attach it to a spice or bottle of cooking oil to be used when everything is set up.

If you’re delivering to the house they’re vacating, deliver a food-themed gift card with paper plates and plastic utensils.

Finishing Touches

Get Inspired: Even if the new home is move-in ready, there is still some decorating to do and pictures to be hung.

Get your friend a picture hanging kit, a level, or museum putty to hold knick knacks in place. Pair that with a gift card to a home decorating store in your area. “Just a little something to make your house a home.”