Moving into a new home is one of those monumental moments in life that mark the beginning of a fresh chapter. Though exciting, moving somewhere brand new can also be extremely stressful, exhausting, and isolating. During times like these, it’s important to show up for your friends, family members, or new neighbors and help them celebrate this important milestone.
Gifts are a love language for many of us— and a thoughtful housewarming gift is a wonderful way to express love during such a momentous time. In this article, we’ll share some housewarming gift etiquette and tons of creative housewarming gift ideas to make any new house feel like a home and any new neighborhood feel like a community!
Housewarming Gift Guide
When it comes to housewarming gift etiquette, there are a few general guidelines to follow. First, do your best to deliver the housewarming gift promptly, as close to move-in day as possible. Unless the new homeowners are your best friends and you know their taste to a T, avoid decorative gifts or things to hang up on their walls. You don’t want them to feel obligated to hang something up that doesn’t match their aesthetic!
If you feel stumped about what to get the new homeowners, draw inspiration from their interests, tastes, and hobbies. With any kind of gift, the more personal the better! How much to spend on a housewarming gift really depends on your relationship with the homebuyers and your financial situation– but the typical range is probably between $20 and $100. Homemade gifts can be even more special though, so get creative and don’t feel pressured to break the bank.
Here are just a few initial housewarming gift ideas to get your ideas flowing:
- A toolbox full of home improvement essentials
- A personalized welcome mat
- A helping hand on move-in day or their first home improvement project
- A party host gift like this one with a charcuterie board and some festive treats for the housewarming party
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- Some personalized stationery or address labels with their new address
- A basket of local goodies sourced from their new neighborhood
- A gift certificate for a local class or activity (such as a yoga class, pottery class, or wine tasting class) to encourage them to get out and about and explore the area
- A set of festive glasses and cocktail fixings to toast to raise a glass to this exciting chapter
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- Some homemade meals to fill up their empty fridge or freezer
- A potted houseplant to add help liven up the empty space
Keep reading for even more housewarming gift ideas and inspiration!
Housewarming Gifts for New Homeowners
For first-time homeowners, we love the idea of putting together a “moving day survival kit” or a “new homeowners survival kit” with some essential items and fun treats. This could include practical items like command strips for hanging up art or photos, an all-surface cleaning spray, a roll of toilet paper or paper towels, and/or a multipurpose tool. Be sure to include some yummy snacks and some cold beers to make the moving process a little sweeter. Top it all off with a disposable camera to help the new homeowners document this special day and remember what it looked like before the nesting process.
Luxury Housewarming Gifts
If you’re looking for something a bit more upscale, put together a luxurious goodie basket full of locally-sourced food and drinks. The more local the better! Find the nearest coffee shop and pick up a bag of freshly-ground coffee, grab some fresh produce and flowers from the closest farmer’s market, and maybe throw in a few gift cards to restaurants, shops, or cafes in their area. This will encourage them to get out and explore their new neighborhood, get to know their local businesses, and shop local– which is good for the local economy and the environment! Check out these gift baskets we curated from Northern California and Southern California for more ideas on what to include. A gift like this that celebrates regional specialties and artisans is perfect for welcoming homeowners to a brand new state or part of the country.
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Unique Housewarming Gifts
While some gift-givers opt for more traditional housewarming gifts– like wine, spices, and candles– others prefer to stand out with unique or personalized gifts. Some of the most unique and memorable housewarming gifts come with an experience that can be enjoyed in the new home, backyard, or neighborhood– because the best gifts help create special memories! Plan a picnic at the nearest park and gift them a picnic gift set like this one with an ethically-woven blanket and some delicious snacks to enjoy together.
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Or wrap up a breakfast tray with this breakfast in bed gift set so they can enjoy an extra-special first morning in their new home. Think of some of your favorite memories at home for inspiration and you won’t go wrong!
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Another option is to go the homemade route. Homemade housewarming gifts are very sentimental and will certainly be cherished. If you’re the creative type, make a drawing of their new home and frame it or have it printed on a set of stationery. Or grab your camera and document move-in day and give them a framed photo or memory book. Or cook them up some fresh bread or delicious frozen meals to help stock up their empty fridge. These kinds of gifts really show how much you care.
Another housewarming gift that anyone can give is the gift of an extra set of hands on move-in day. Offer to help unpack boxes or paint the spare bedroom or plant some veggies in the garden or grab coffees for the group. There’s simply nothing better than your favorite people showing up to support you!
Housewarming Gifts to Turn a House into a Home!
The housewarming gift ideas in this article are just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many items and experiences that make a house a home, so there are endless options to consider. Check out the many different housewarming gifts on our website for more ideas, or contact our team for a custom gifting quote!
