What are good housewarming gifts? We asked – you answered.
Buying a home is an important cause for celebration, so if you have a friend, family member, co-worker, or client who’s at this important milestone, giving them a gift is an appropriate way to mark the occasion.
Once you’ve decided to buy a gift, you’ll probably wonder how much to spend as well as what are good housewarming gifts.
What are your best housewarming gifts to give and receive?
We asked around and here are the most popular gifts to give for specific occasions.
The following guide will help you determine what to get for a housewarming present and how much to spend:
How much to spend on a housewarming gift..
The appropriate amount to spend on a housewarming gift varies according to your financial situation and your relationship with the new homeowner. In some cases, $25-$50 is the right amount, but if you’re close to the homeowner and can afford it, spending up to $100 can be appropriate.
If you find what you think is the perfect gift, but it’s somewhat beyond your budget, don’t let that deter you. Check to see if other friends of the homeowner would like to chip in on the gift, and you can all sign the accompanying card.
Traditional vs. Modern
When you’re trying to decide whether to buy a traditional housewarming type of gift or a more modern one, think about its recipient. What type of decor do they have? Do they generally learn toward a traditional or a more modern aesthetic?
If you’re still not sure about which style your gift recipient would prefer, think about their personal style. Do they wear modern clothes and jewelry, or do they gravitate toward more classic options?
In addition, consider the homeowners’ stage of life. Are they young first-time buyers moving into their first home? Or are they an older couple who’s downsizing into a new home? These homeowners may want – and need - very different types of housewarming gifts from one another.
The following are some common categories of new homeowners, including suggestions on what are good housewarming for each type of new homeowner:
Housewarming gifts for first home or apartment
A young couple moving into their first home or apartment may be setting up a household for the first time.
They’ll need a wide variety of things, including home decor items as well as very practical presents that they can use to keep their home in good shape. They'll need that they can use to carry about day-to-day activities such as cooking and home maintenance.
Consider these gifts if you’re looking to buy for a first-time homeowner:
Classic Monogram Canvas Print
A tool kit – If the new homeowners are accustomed to having a landlord make all the repairs, they may not have a good supply of basic tools. Buy a toolbox and fill it with the basics, including a hammer, a wrench, screwdrivers, and a tape measure. There are also pre-stocked tool kits for this purpose.
Yard décor – First-time homeowners may like yard décor such as a gazing ball or attractive solar lights to place along a pathway. This is especially helpful if they didn’t have a yard when they were renting.
Gift cards – Gift cards to popular area restaurants will be appreciated, especially if the homeowners are new in town and aren’t familiar with restaurants that are local favorites. This will help them get to know the neighborhood and be a welcome break after the stress of moving.
Home décor signs – A sign that commemorates the occasion with their family’s last name as well as an “established” date for their new home is a more personalized gift. It’s sentimental as well as attractive and is sure to get comments from visitors.
Older couple downsizing
A couple who downsized from a home they owned for years will have limited space in their new home, so knickknacks probably won’t be a welcomed addition. Instead, focus on experiences, a very practical gift, or something that can hang on the wall. Consider the following housewarming gifts for a downsizing couple:
Watercolor House Portrait of the Family Home
Food and/or drink – Treat the couple to a bottle of wine or champagne (if they drink alcohol) and a plate of cheeses from a local shop. A cake from a local baker is also a nice idea, as is a gift certificate for a restaurant in their new neighborhood.
Home-automation technology – An older couple may appreciate technology that makes it easier for them to control their lights, appliances, and thermostat. A front-door camera is also a useful gift.
Watercolor House Portrait – Help them remember the great times they had in their family home by giving them a custom watercolor portrait of their home.
Magnetic photo collage frame or digital photo frame – Older homeowners often have many photos of grand kids and other family members that they’re eager to show off, so a magnetic collage frame that will attach to their fridge or a digital frame that rotates photos will help them do this in a convenient space.
Tickets to the theater or another destination – If you know the couple’s tastes, tickets to a local event make a memorable gift and help them become a part of their new community.
Single Mother
Time is a priority for single moms, so gifts that can help make things easier for her will be especially appreciated. Family-oriented gifts are also a hit, including the following:
Meal planning or delivery service – Single moms are busy, so help them save time and effort by ordering some meals from a planning or delivery service.
Tickets to a family destination in their new city – Buy tickets for mom and the kids to a popular museum, amusement park, or other family-friendly attraction in their new area.
Essential oil diffuser – Diffusers are popular, and you can find one that features extras such as color and light settings as well as timer modes so it helps create the atmosphere your homeowner wants.
A beautiful vase with flowers – This gift will brighten her new home, and she’ll be able to use the vase for years to come.
Single Father
Like a single mom, single dads will probably appreciate a gift of convenience or one that helps them spend time with their family. These gifts are some that will fit the bill:
Dinner delivery – A meal delivered from a local restaurant can introduce the family to a new favorite dining spot while helping to ease the stress and chaos of moving in.
Photo frames – Give dad a way to easily and attractively display pictures of the family.
Candles – Many candles are now marketed to men, so you should have no trouble finding a sleek design and scent that will appeal to him.
Sporting tickets – If the single dad is a sports fan and there are popular teams in his new city, treat him and the kids to some tickets.
Family moving to another state
Gifts to a family moving to another state can include a remembrance of their former state of residence or an item that celebrates their new state. The following are some good homecoming gifts for families in this type of situation:
Two State Canvas Print
State cheese board – A wooden cheeseboard shaped like their previous state or the one they’ve moved to makes an attractive and practical gift. Or splurge and spend a little more by buying one of each.
Two State Canvas Print – Home is wherever I'm with you. Help them remember where they came from and look forward to their new destination.
Custom house number plaque – A plaque that matches the style of their home and has their house numbers on it will get noticed.
Moving to another country
The homeowners’ former or new country of residence can inspire several types of gifts, including the following:
Flag motif art – Display the flag of their new country or former country of residence in artwork.
Tickets to a local destination – Help the new homeowner get to know their new country and city with tickets to a popular local destination.
Decanter and glasses with alcohol – If you know your gift recipients drink alcohol, treat them to a nice decanter along with monogrammed glasses, and include a bottle of locally popular wine or other spirits.
As a real estate closing gift
Real estate agents often buy their clients gifts after they close on their home. This is an effective, thoughtful marketing tool that clients will use and appreciate. The following are some good choices for a real estate closing gift:
Welcome Home Latitude Longitude Canvas Print
Watercolor portrait of your client’s home – This highly personalized gift can include their last name as well as the year their home was purchased.
“Welcome home” sign – Have a sign personalized with the family’s last name and the GPS longitude and latitude coordinates for their new home.
Welcome mat – A welcome mat bearing the family’s name is both practical and personal.
Wall sign – Choose an appropriate saying or design for the sign and include the family’s last name as well as the first names of all household members as well as the date their home was “established.”
Growing family moving to larger home
Help a growing family enjoy their new, larger home, save some time, and get to know their new neighborhood:
A plaque with the family’s last name and members listed – This gift helps celebrate their growing family.
Backyard gamesor gardening tools – If the family now has a large yard, they might enjoy several nice games they can play together or gardening tools that they can to plant new flowers or vegetables.
Family pass to a local attraction – Attractions such as aquariums, zoos, and museums often sell yearly family passes that allow unlimited visits.
Landscaping or mowing services – The family may enjoy these services if they have a larger yard, and it will also free them to spend more time together.
Housewarming gifts for new neighbors
Welcome your new neighbors’ with a personalized item or local treat:
A beach plaque or pillow – If their new home is at the beach, mountains, or other popular destination, choose personalized wall decor with this theme.
A personalized doormat – The theme of the new house can be reflected in a personalized doormat.
Treats from a local bakery or other shop – Introduce the new neighbors to some new treats from a local bakery.
Gifts for a boss or coworkers
It’s best to give your boss or co-workers a practical gift that makes an impact:
At-home technology – a Ring doorbell monitoring system or smart thermostat combines the practical with the innovative.
Trees or other landscaping – Buy a tree or other types of landscaping and hire a company to safely and correctly plant them.
Cheese board with basket of cheeses – Pack a personalized cheese board shaped like your boss or coworkers new or former state of residence and add a basket of delicious cheeses.
Housewarming gifts for bachelors
Bachelors would probably love to receive a gift that makes it easier for them to eat out, cook at home, or entertain:
A restaurant gift certificate – A restaurant gift certificate for a popular local eatery will come in handy after a busy move.
A time-saving kitchen appliance – A kitchen appliance like an Instant Pot can help save time in the kitchen.
Decanter and glasses – Help a bachelor host a get-together at home.
What are good housewarming gifts?
Now that you have some suggestions to determine what are good housewarming gifts, consider your budget as well as the homeowners’ needs and tastes and choose what to buy.
The right gift will be used and appreciated for years to come and give the homeowners something to remember you by.
