There are at least 6 people that I'm close to in my life that are moving or have recently bought a house (and I'm sure at least a dozen more that have in the last year!). Every time I scramble to find something to send them as a housewarming gift. Buying a house or renting a new place is a BIG deal. It's exciting and stressful and momentous and it's nice to send something to acknowledge that and also help them settle into their new home faster.
Most recently, Chris's brother and sister-in-law moved into their new home and I actually searched OUR OWN SITE for house warming ideas only to come up short. That simply won't do. I immediately jotted down a list...that just grew and grew until I got to 25 IDEAS that go beyond a candle (not that there's anything wrong with a candle)! And then I went to work finding a few examples of each idea, so that from now on--when someone in your life or my life moves, I have a guide and you have a guide and we can all help each other celebrate new homes a little easier.
25 Housewarming Gift Ideas
1. Large Vase. I've said it before, but there's nothing that will serve you (or your loved one) more than a large vase. It's so versatile! Cut some fresh flowers and deliver!
2. Dinner Bell. I'm a sucker for a dinner bell. We grew up with one calling us to dinner and our family uses one. I think they provide that quintessential "we're home" feeling.
3. Little Rug (doormat). A doormat is such an easy gift, but I'd go with something more general or classic or even a patterned coir. Alternatively, a 2x3, 2x4, 3x5 rug can go SO many places from under a doormat, to in front of the sink to inside of the door. Both are great ideas!
4. Candle. You. Can't. Go. Wrong. (But you'll also probably not be the only one sending a candle, fyi)
5. Plant. I love a fresh plant or wreath or even some herbs for the kitchen! It will immediately add life to their new home.
6. Large Bowl. For serving, for the entry, for a centerpiece--a large bowl is essential decor that can be used in so many spaces.
7. Salt Cellar. The first time cooking in a new home is almost as momentous as the move itself. A salt cellar brings the experience to the next level.
8. Tray. Similar to a bowl, a tray can go ANYWHERE. We also included some charcuterie boards here which are the best functional decor out there.
9. Pitcher. I'm 34 and I own 2 plastic pitchers. That's it! Every time we have company over, I wish I had something more. This gift will inspire guests or make the every day feel even more special. Bonus! It doubles as a vase.
10. Linen Napkins. Elevate the every day and help them start fresh by shipping a few special napkins there way.
11. Pillowcases. To celebrate the new place that you're laying your head. (I even wrote the card for you.)
12. Candlesticks. I think one of the fastest ways to make a house feel like a home is making memories. And I, personally, really love those memories to include candlesticks.
13. Throw. A home should be cozy and is there anything cozier?
14. Coffee Table Book. Who doesn't love a coffee table book?! I see NO HANDS. Because everyone does. Not only will they inspire, but they just look so good set out.
15. Storage Containers. I'm not even kidding, the most fun I had when moving into our new house last year was organizing the pantry. In fact, I felt incredibly unsettled until I did get organized so I highly recommend this practical gift from personal experience.
16. Toaster. Functional, but make it cute! I asked my sister what she wanted for her housewarming gift, and she requested a toaster! Like--I CAN DO THAT!!
17. Reusable Tote. To bring their new grocery store or checkout the new library. For me, a reusable tote empowers me to head out and explore my surroundings.
18. Catchall. From the entry table to the nightstand, a catchall is a stylish and convenient place to drop anything.
19. Address Stamper. One of my favorite gifts to give because it's something you generally don't think of buying for yourself until you need it and then it's too late. These are so charming.
20. Light Bulbs. This might seem weird, but when we moved into our house so many of the bulbs were that cool 5000K that didn't feel home-y at all and I was amazed at what swapping a few bulbs did. I also included a smart bulb starter kit and a smart outlet which will improve anyone's life. (ps. 3000K or bust on bulbs!)
21. Pretty Keychain. For their new house keys!
22. House print. Either of their new place or the place they just moved from. They'll cherish it always.
23. Tree Sapling. To start planting roots in their new place.
24. Edible Treat. You mostly can't go wrong with a consumable (as long as you know they don't have any eating restrictions.) It is a celebration and what's a celebration without snacks!?
25. Home is a Feeling Tee. Because that's what it comes down to.
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Just saw the link to this on your insta stories - my fiancé and I are moving into our first ever home next month and I think I will have to buy myself at least half of these haha. Great ideas!
Loved all twenty five items! I just purchased the Crate and Barrel chalk board ceramic place cards and a set of tongs as a shower gift...love them for myself too!
Do you have a link to the HOMEBODY socks?
Thank YOU!
Here you go! https://propertee.chrislovesjulia.com/collections/socks/products/copy-of-homebody-unisex-sock-3?_pos=1&_sid=970219276&_ss=r
I really like the idea of an address stamp. Also suggest: Indoor/outdoor thermometer. French enamel outdoor thermometer. Bird feeder and starter bag of food. Subscription to a shelter magazine suited to their location (Sunset, Southern Living, Coastal Living, etc.). If they are really newbies, a cordless screwdriver for assembling all that new flat pack furniture. Towels that match their new bathroom. There are so many options!
Blog suggestion- I love looking at each link but will you please look into how to keep the placement of where we were in the article when we back out of link? The blog scrolls us all the way back to the top and with ads in between everything, it can takes awhile to get back to the correct number again. Thanks for the wonderful list and finding solutions for all budgets.
Thanks for the ideas! Can you guys put together a roundup of just hostess gifts (I don’t drink so can’t bring wine). Or rules for picking what to bring
Don't bring cut flowers b/c that forces the hostess to drop everything and arrange them, all while busy with hosting duties.
These are all great ideas...except candles and vases. No one needs another vase or candle....or maybe that's just me because I'm a teacher and get them as gifts all the time.
Thank you for always posting the price of items on your blog. Much appreciated!!
Genius! I immediately purchased an address stamp for my friend for Christmas who recently bought their forever home. Thanks for the great idea... and also all of the other suggestions, too.
I always thought cloth napkins were so fancy and I would never be that person. Then I realized how wasteful using paper towels as napkins is and now I preach to everyone, cloth napkins are game changers!! Fully on board and now we probably go through one roll of paper towels A MONTH
Lightbulbs! Love it .. So many people have glass pendants - Do you have a clear bulb (that is not an edison or yellow) to recommend?
I'd go with the same lumens and kelvins in a clear bulb.
What a lovely selection of beautiful and yet useful gift ideas! Thank you!
You lost me at the lightbulbs. Those are such a personal preference thing. I want white daytime bulbs, and ALL of them. If I had a room lit up like a surgeon's table, I'd nod thoughtfully and then layer in more. I think the warm "soft" bulbs make everything look dirty and gross in person. I have one dim deep amber bulb for just before sleeping, but when I eventually have to replace it I might go with a dim white bulb. So, yeah, I don't think I'd want someone else to give me lightbulbs, I hate smiling politely and lying.
Otherwise, that is a lovely list. I especially like the large vase idea.
I gave an address stamper to my friend when she moved into her house right before quarantine started and she LOVED it! I was so pleased when I got a thank you card from her wedding and saw that she used the stamp! She said she used it for all of the thank you cards she sent.
My only question about this post is HOW HAVE YOU DONE SO MUCH AND YOU'RE ONLY 34?! What am I doing with myself?
We usually buy a loaf a fresh bread, a jar of salt and a good bottle of wine. I’ve done so ever since I remembered Mary Bailey’s words in It’s A Wonderful Life — I inscribe them in the card.
“Bread, that this house may never know hunger," they say. "Salt, that life may always have flavor. And wine, that joy and prosperity may reign forever."
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=o0MTzF73JzI
That’s the sweetest!
Stealing that!!! ❤️❤️
We do the same thing! Also there's a sweet song called "North" by Sleeping At Last, which uses that quote as a starting point for a lovely song about a new home.
Halle, thanks for the song recommendation!
Also, I just realized I've learned to bake sourdough over this COVID lockdown here in NYC + I've had a course on sewing rope baskets from my friend's shop, Circle of Stitches, so next time someone moves in I can give a loaf that I've baked in a rope basket that I've sewn!
We're did you put your dinner bell?
It's mounted to the wall inside of the range nook. In our old house, we mounted it to the wall by the cabinets.
Address stamper is my GO TO housewarming gift. You are so right - people rarely buy them for themselves (except me because I'm obsessed). And so handy when you get to holiday cards or thank you notes!