Has someone you know recently become a new homeowner? It’s an exciting time and one that often warrants gift-giving! If you’ve been invited to a housewarming party or if you’re seeing someone’s home for the first time, it’s customary to bring a gift. You’ll want to bring something useful that they probably don’t already have, so think about whether this is their first home or if they’ve been living independently for a while. Check out this list of the most useful housewarming gifts for some great ideas!
Kitchen Items
The first room that most people want to get situated when they move into a new home is the kitchen. If you want to contribute to this cause, you are in luck because there are so many possibilities in this category! If this is a person or couple starting out in their first place, think about kitchen essentials that you use every day. These don’t have to be expensive! You can find affordable coffee makers, toasters, slow cookers, and other small appliances that just about everyone needs. Dish towels, oven mitts, and serving utensils are other everyday items.
If you would like to spend more, think about cookware. New homeowners may need everything from nonstick pans to heavy-duty cast iron and everything in between. People who love to cook might like more specialized kitchenware like a good knife set or copper pans. You know your recipient best, so think about what they already have in the kitchen and try to choose something to expand upon that.
Bedding
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Many people move into their new homes with the linens they already had, but having a brand new bedspread, some throw pillows, or other bedding items can really make their bedroom look and feel new and exciting. If you know your friend’s style, you might consider buying a piece or two that will go with what they already have. This might be a fuzzy rug for next to the bed, a throw blanket, or even curtains.
If you aren’t comfortable buying items for your recipient’s bedroom, you might still consider throw pillows or a blanket for the living room or den. These cozy items provide comfort and warmth on chilly days or when the new homeowner wants to just relax and take a nap or watch a movie on the couch.
Home Décor
Of course, a popular gift for a housewarming is home décor. You might pick out a potted plant, a painting, a statue, or just about anything else that you know your friend would enjoy. If you already know that they decorate in a certain style, that makes gift-giving easier, as you can choose something that will complement their existing items. If you don’t, you can simply ask whether they are using a certain theme or color scheme in their home.
If you are unsure about their style, choosing items for a bathroom or a guest room is generally a safe bet. Go with neutral colors that they can build around with their chosen palette. You could also purchase a gift certificate from a store that sells home goods; this way, they can pick out what they like best!
Garden Items
Image courtesy of Pixabay
Does the new homeowner have a green thumb? Many people who have just purchased a home spend most of their “moving in” money on items needed for inside the house, leaving the garden or yard to languish for several months. A couple of plants for their entryway or even flower seeds for a casual garden can go a long way in helping them turn their house into a home. Some new homeowners might like something whimsical, like a garden gnome or a water fountain.
If you are gifted when it comes to gardening, you might offer to help them prepare garden beds, pull weeds, or get some seeds started. Depending on the time of year and the growing season where you live, you might bring over some of your own starts to transplant into their garden.1 Help them turn their yard into an oasis!
Gift Baskets
One popular suggestion is to make a gift basket for your friend. This could be for any room in the home or even for the person to use after the moving and unpacking is done. A basket of easy-to-prepare food items would be appreciated, as it takes some time to get the kitchen set up enough to cook a meal. Many new homeowners need spices, oils, and the other pantry basics that most of us use every day.
You might create a basket of shower gel, lotion, a shower pouf, and a fluffy towel for a simple “spa night” before those essentials have been purchased. Another useful idea is to bring over a basket of adhesive hooks, some simple hand tools (like a screwdriver and hammer), paper towels, a level, and other items needed to repair small items around the house. A basket of toys for young children, if they have them, is a great way to keep little ones entertained and less likely to get underfoot while their parents are unpacking. You may even want to splurge on them and find them an excellent Home Warranty if they don’t already have one.2
Purchasing a housewarming gift is a great way to show your friend that you’re thinking about them and that you want them to be happy and comfortable in their new home. Share in their joy and excitement by bringing over a present to welcome them to their house and new neighborhood!
Article Sources
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- Daly C, Widrlechner M P, Halbleib M D, Smith J I, & Gibson W P. Development of a New USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map for the United States, Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 2012; 51(2), 242-264. Accessed Oct 8, 2021.
- Gwin, C.R. and Ong, S. Homeowner warranties and building codes, Journal of Property Investment & Finance, Vol. 18 No. 4, pp. 456-472. doi:10.1108/14635780010345409
