Housewarming Gift Ideas | Welcome to Better

Looking for amazing housewarming gift ideas? While stressful, moving into a new place is worth celebrating!

Whether it’s someone’s first home, new home, dream home, new apartment, or someone downsizing because the kids have moved into their own homes, bringing a thoughtful gift to a housewarming party is a great way to commemorate the big step in their life and thank them for hosting.

What Makes a Good Housewarming Gift?

First things first, here are 4 rules to keep in mind when picking the perfect gift for your friend's housewarming present:

Don’t buy the gift for you: Just because you love something doesn’t mean you have to buy them that as a present
Choose a gift based on what you know about the person: Try to connect the gift to a memory
Opt for something that adds a personal touch and will make the homeowner smile when they see it
Pick something they wouldn’t usually buy for themselves, but that they’ll also find useful

Showing up empty-handed is a no-no, but you also don’t have to break the bank.

Brilliant Gifts says, “Almost 50% of all housewarming gifts purchased in 2020 were in the $25 to $50 range. 22% of people spent between $50 and $99, 20% spent less than $25, and 12% spend more than $100. If $20-$50 is too much, maybe consider going in on a gift with someone, to do a nicer gift together.” People will sense the effort you put in and will appreciate a thoughtful gift much more than a flashy, expensive one.

Giving the Best Housewarming Present

It's easy to get lost in list after list of fun ideas for housewarming gifts with everything from personalized options like cutting boards, latitude and longitude gifts, to cool home/kitchen gadgets and snacks that can be presented to the happy new homeowner as a beautiful housewarming gift basket.

Consider a relaxing gift like candles and blankets, or maybe even a housewarming plant as a gift. Make sure care instructions are included so the homeowner can keep it alive!

For a practical gift, come to the rescue with a moving day survival kit with paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, bottled water, and snacks.

There are SO many options at so many different price points, keep reading for more gift idea inspiration.

Traditional Gifts for a Happy Home

Carried down from generation to generation and dating back a few hundred years, (probably back when people gave firewood as a gift to warm the house, hence “housewarming”) there are a handful of new home housewarming gift ideas with traditional roots that are meant to bless the new home and those in it.

Bread – May the house never know hunger
Salt & Herbs – may you always have flavor and spice in your life
Wine – May joy and prosperity reign in the house forever
Olive Oil – May you be blessed with health and well-being
Honey – May you always enjoy the sweetness of life
Rice – May the love in your home multiply
Sugar – May your life always be filled with sweetness
House Plant – may your home always have life
Wood – May your home have stability, harmony, and peace
Broom – May your home always be clean
Candle – May you always have light through the darkest of times

Consider putting a modern and personal twist on the traditional like pancake mix for bread, honeycomb-shaped wall décor for honey, bath salts for salt, or a personalized set of kitchen utensils or cutting board for wood!

Innovative Gift Ideas for Home Sweet Home

Out-of-the-box housewarming presents that the new homeowners will love just as much, but are maybe a bit more unconventional, can range from a wide variety of options. Let your imagination soar as you think about what your friend would find the most special:

“Stock my pantry” party – buy ingredients for them to make a favorite dish (include the recipe)
Outdoor yard equipment for the homeowner who maybe never had a yard to have to maintain before
Feng Shui consultation with professional designer – to help them set up the home for balance, energy, and relaxation

But, you don’t even have to spend money to make your friend or family member feel right at home.

You could put together a binder of local shops, restaurants, and coupons; offer a day of your help with house projects to paint or move furniture; or make them a comfort-food meal for their first night of unpacking!

Whatever sweet sentiment you decide to give to the new homeowners, make the packaging part of the gift: make the outside as pretty and thoughtful as the inside, and present it in a fun way.

Each new homeowner is unique, and so are their needs, so the gift you choose to give should match the homeowner as best as you can. You can’t go wrong with a gift from the heart.

Whether you pick a practical, personal, or useful housewarming gift, keep the person you are buying for in mind and you’re sure to pick an amazing gift with a special meaning behind it they’re sure to enjoy.

Remember, it’s the thought that counts most, more than the actual gift.

Aisha Coleman

Have questions about interior design? Looking to take on a DIY home project? Interested in discovering new things to do in your hometown? Ready to learn about the new home construction process? Aisha can help! With over a decade of experience in her role as Internet Sales Manager in M/I Homes of Orlando, Aisha's ready to share a wealth of knowledge on all these topics and more. You can trust Aisha's insights as she is a Florida local and enjoys spending time with family by either traveling or relaxing at one of Florida's many beaches.