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What are Some Ideas for Housewarming Gifts?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

One should choose housewarming gifts with consideration to the taste and needs of the new homeowners or renters. If so inclined, a housewarming gift does not necessarily have to be given in the event of a housewarming party. It can also be a “welcome to the neighborhood gift, ” or a start-up item for a young adult in his or her first apartment.

One of the most popular types of housewarming gifts is a themed basket. For those moving into homes with ample garden space, a garden themed basket with a couple of trowels, gardening gloves, seeds or small plants, and perhaps a pretty terra cotta pot, can be a lovely and inexpensive gift.

Wine glasses can make a good housewarming gift.
Wine glasses can make a good housewarming gift.

For those without sufficient gardening space, one might consider several types of themed baskets for indoor use. Baskets focusing on several bottles of good wine, some fruit, crackers and cheese are lovely. One can include a good quality wine opener, perhaps four pretty wine glasses, and a cheese board and cheese knife to compete the ensemble.

Another housewarming gift basket that makes for a lovely choice is a gift of bathroom products. Pretty soaps, decorative hand towels, perhaps a liquid soap dispenser, toothbrush holder, and a bath rug can be quite appreciated, particularly for those just starting out in an apartment. Conversely, one could send a basket of bath salts, loofahs, pretty bath candles, skin lotion, and special soaps and shampoos. Include a back massager and one has a gift that will allow a little personal pampering.

Bath salts.
Bath salts.

Gifts of food or food gift certificates are usually quite welcome. Especially during the first few weeks of moving, gift certificates to restaurants that deliver are often appreciated. Another great gift idea is express or discount cards, available in most cities. These offer significant discounts to local restaurants, local attractions, and to service-oriented companies like auto repair, carpet cleaning, and dry cleaning. They may also offer discounts to local health clubs. This is an especially good gift for those new to a town or state.

A gift basket is a good housewarming gift.
A gift basket is a good housewarming gift.

A favorite food housewarming gift, that many enjoy receiving is the sundae emergency kit. In this gift basket, one usually includes several ice cream toppings, like hot fudge, caramel, cherries, shredded coconut, and nuts. Include an ice cream scooper, a set of pretty ice cream dishes and a gift certificate to a local ice cream store. This gift is often greatly appreciated by those in a new home, who may enjoy a sweet reward after a long day hanging curtains and arranging furniture.

A new homeowner who enjoys cooking may appreciate the gift of a waffle iron.
A new homeowner who enjoys cooking may appreciate the gift of a waffle iron.

A classic housewarming gift, of course, is a houseplant. Choose healthy plants and consider whether pets or children will be living in the house. If so, find nontoxic plants. Also consider the kind of light available in the home, since not all home environments are equally hospitable to all plants.

Unless one knows from a wedding registry or a wish list, avoid housewarming gifts that might potentially clash with the taste of the new owner/renter. If one wishes to give a decorative item, consider simple items like silver picture frames or a pretty but simple vase filled with fresh flowers.

A knitted blanket is a thoughtful gift to give at a housewarming party.
A knitted blanket is a thoughtful gift to give at a housewarming party.

One can also consider purchasing small household electronics as housewarming gifts, if one knows the new homeowner or renter has few of such items. Toasters, cappuccino makers, a new unobtrusive clock, or an electric can opener may be more appreciated than luxury items, especially when one is setting up housekeeping for the first time.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon135526

I suggest something personal. Well, depending on how close you are but you can offer something unique like a 100 percent hand-made painting of your favorite photo together.

BoatHugger

My sister and her husband bought a house that was a fixer-upper. As a housewarming gift, I brought them paint rollers, drop cloths, a spackle blade, paint brushes, and several magazines with great ideas on how to redo your home.

calabama71

The perfect gift depends a lot on who you are getting it for. Is it a married couple? Is it a single person who has just purchased their first home? If so, is it a male or female? I like to give gift baskets with items that I think that person could really use. I had a male co-worker who had just purchased his first home and I gave him a gift basket full of screwdrivers, pliers, and other household tools that could be used. My sister bought a new home and wanted to plant a flower garden. I gave her a gift basket full of garden tools, pots, potting soil, and fertilizer.

For a couple, you might consider a basket full of picture hooks, a level, some picture frames, and hanging wire.

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    • Wine glasses can make a good housewarming gift.
      By: Elenathewise
      Wine glasses can make a good housewarming gift.
    • Bath salts.
      By: Jiri Hera
      Bath salts.
    • A gift basket is a good housewarming gift.
      By: archana bhartia
      A gift basket is a good housewarming gift.
    • A new homeowner who enjoys cooking may appreciate the gift of a waffle iron.
      By: Voyagerix
      A new homeowner who enjoys cooking may appreciate the gift of a waffle iron.
    • A knitted blanket is a thoughtful gift to give at a housewarming party.
      By: Arienne McCracken
      A knitted blanket is a thoughtful gift to give at a housewarming party.
    • An ice cream sundae set with a scooper, serving dishes and toppings is a thoughtful food housewarming gift.
      By: bakerjim
      An ice cream sundae set with a scooper, serving dishes and toppings is a thoughtful food housewarming gift.
    • Easy to care for, succulent houseplants can make a good housewarming gift.
      By: stillkost
      Easy to care for, succulent houseplants can make a good housewarming gift.
    • A handmade quilt is a great gift idea for a housewarming.
      By: Catherine Jones
      A handmade quilt is a great gift idea for a housewarming.
    • A gift certificate allows the new homeowner to purchase needed items.
      By: 14ktgold
      A gift certificate allows the new homeowner to purchase needed items.
    • A gift basket containing handmade soaps is a nice housewarming gift.
      By: Hayati Kayhan
      A gift basket containing handmade soaps is a nice housewarming gift.
    • Some people enjoy receiving new dishware at a housewarming party.
      By: Petrov Vadim
      Some people enjoy receiving new dishware at a housewarming party.
    • A gift basket with scented soaps might make a good housewarming gift.
      By: sherrie
      A gift basket with scented soaps might make a good housewarming gift.
    • Knives and other cooking utensils are a good gift idea for people who love to cook.
      By: Silvano Rebai
      Knives and other cooking utensils are a good gift idea for people who love to cook.
    • A nice espresso machine can help someone feel comfortable in their new home.
      By: winston
      A nice espresso machine can help someone feel comfortable in their new home.