The Absolute Best Housewarming Gifts for a New Homeowner

Sept 22, 2022

Angela

Including considerations, things to avoid, and how to add a personal touch.

The Absolute Best Housewarming Gifts for a New Homeowner

Including considerations, things to avoid, and how to add a personal touch.

Sooooo, your best friend has just bought their first home, how exciting! They’re hosting a housewarming party, so you’re now in the market for the ultimate gift that will help them celebrate such a momentous occasion. But there’s just one problem… what do you get them? There are SO many options to choose from and you want to make sure you get them something they'll love and use. You’ve seen it before, the tacky “home sweet home” door hanger (no shame if you love them!), or the 6-pack of beers that will be finished that same night. But don’t worry, I may not have the answer for you, but I’ve got some tips that will make the decision a little easier for you. I’ve also added some of my own personal favourites at the bottom of this blog.

What To Consider

Okay, first and foremost, think about your friend's style. Surely you’ve got a sense of their preferred design aesthetic, and if you don’t, it doesn’t hurt to ask mutual friends. Here are some questions you can ask yourself: Do they lean more towards traditional styles and pieces, or more modern ones? Do they live vibrantly and full of colour, or gravitate towards more muted and organic tones? Do they practice minimalism in other areas of their life? Do they consider themselves environmentally conscious individuals?

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Another thing to consider is how long they've been in their new home. If they moved in just yesterday, maybe hold your horses a bit, and then perhaps buy something that could make unpacking a little smoother. Storage solutions are always a good idea - whether they’re for organizing a bedroom, or bathroom, or kitchen, they would be much appreciated. On the flip side, if they've been in their new home for awhile, chances are they've already got most of the basics covered. In this case, you might want to go for something a little more personal or decorative, maybe a print or flower vase.

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What to Avoid

By now you hopefully have some ideas in mind, but we should also talk about things to avoid. First of all, don’t buy for yourself. It’s super easy to walk into a store and thing “OMG this is so pretty” or “this is super cool and convenient.” That’s great an all, and feel free to buy it, but it’s staying in YOUR house. You should keep the friend top of mind throughout the whole buying process.

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If you’re super stumped about what style your friend prefers, it's always better to err on the side of caution and go for something neutral that anyone would appreciate. You can even get creative! A virtual cooking class is something that would be hard not to enjoy (unless your friend absolutely DETESTS cooking). I’ve tried out a few of these throughout the pandemic and they were always a blast. It’ll give your friend a chance to familiarize themself with their kitchen (and depending on if they’re lazy unpackers, it’ll force them to get all their kitchen supplies put away).

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Also try to stay away from anything that’s too big and bulky, unless you know for certain that your friend has the space to put it. There’s nothing is worse than being gifted a beautiful piece of art only to realize you have nowhere to hang it up! Actually, what’s worse is spending the MONEY on gifting a beautiful piece of art that the recipient has nowhere to hang up.

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And finally, steer clear of anything that requires assembly, or at least, complex assembly that takes more than 5 minutes, unless your friend is into that kind of stuff.

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I guess the moral of the story is that you just need to be considerate when buying the gift.

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Make Your Housewarming Gift Even More Special

Now, if you’re keen to go above and beyond for your friend, there are a few things you can do to make their gift even more special.

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Firstly, expand on the card and include a longer, handwritten note with your gift. Express your excitement for them, and depending on what the gift is, you can explain why you chose it for them; what you hope it will mean to them. This makes the giftgiving gesture even more meaningful.

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Another idea is adding a personal “coupon” to the gift. Something like "one free night of babysitting" or "dinner on me."

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Lastly, and I think this one should be a MUST but… use your judgement, but toss in a bottle of wine or champagne! Something they can pop open when you’re together. (Put this one on the avoid list if your friend doesn’t enjoy alcoholic beverages).

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Well, there you have it folks — it’s not rocket science, but we know what it’s like to get the . Just keep these guidelines in mind and we're sure you'll find the perfect present in no time at all! Happy shopping!

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