Somebody you know just moved into a new home, and now you are trying to figure out the best housewarming gifts. The traditional options have been around for a long time for good reason:
- bread and salt
- olive oil
- wood
- a candle
- or a pineapple
If you want to go beyond the classics, here are a few practical tips worth reading before you shop.
What should you avoid giving?
Before you settle on something, think about the actual person receiving it. The same gift that lands perfectly for one household can be a real miss for another. A few examples worth keeping in mind:
- Do not bring wine to someone who does not drink, whether that is for health or religious reasons.
- Skip potted plants if the recipient has plant allergies.
- Novelty or humor-based gifts work best when you know the person well enough to be confident the joke will land.
What actually makes a good housewarming gift?
Let that same thinking about the individual guide you toward something they will genuinely use or enjoy:
- Gift baskets with a variety of edible treats are a reliable choice. You can work in traditional items like bread and salt without any trouble. They come in a wide range of price points, and you can put one together yourself and add items as you see fit. If you go this route, make sure any potential allergens are clearly labeled.
- Coffee fans would likely appreciate an assortment of specialty gourmet coffees, and depending on your budget, a few accessories to go with them. For tea drinkers, the same idea applies with a tea-focused selection.
- Passionate cooks tend to get real use out of specialty cooking oils and gourmet vinegar, or something like a personalized wooden cutting board.
- For first-time homeowners: if this is a starter home, a young couple, or a new family, they may genuinely need household basics like kitchen gadgets, a decorative vase, china, linen napkins, or a good set of dish towels.
- A practical option: address labels or stickers printed with the new home address, paired with other stationery or writing supplies.
- A throw blanket in neutral colors, or colors that match what you know about the new home, is something most people will actually use.
- For someone who has moved to a new town: an illustrated book about their new city or a gift certificate to a well-regarded local restaurant gives them something to look forward to as they settle in.
These are only a few directions to consider. If you have a go-to housewarming gift that has worked well, share it in the comments.
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