Finding the right housewarming gifts for our loved ones can be a hard task. Do they need a new candle to add to their ever-growing stash, or would a bright set of pots and pans to jazz up their stark kitchen be more fitting?
Whatever the case may be, sifting through countless options to find something practical yet thoughtful becomes tedious. With an ever-increasing number of homeowners in the US, those gift ideas soon deplete with every housewarming party you attend.
That’s why we’ve created a shortlist of the best housewarming gifts, filled with both unique and traditional gifts for new homeowners to inspire ideas for turning a new house into a home.
Table of Contents
Traditional Gifts for New Homeowners
When looking for gifts for the home, we tend to think of the obvious ones, as they’ve proven to be reliable and consistent crowd pleasers. But put yourself in the shoes of the homeowner who just received their tenth candle. Not so exciting, is it! That’s why the key is to have a distinctive house warming gift idea that is traditional, yet differentiates you from the rest.
Candles
Available at Homesick. From $38.
Yes, it’s still on the list. Candles are perfect for those who love to create inviting atmospheres and bring calm to a new home. Rather than opting for traditional scents like vanilla or berries, go for the more adventurous and aptly named “New Home” candle from Homesick.
Top notes of jasmine and cedarwood create a mature aroma, while the musk and oakmoss base keeps things fresh and woody. The use of a non-toxic, natural soy wax blend allows for clean and enchanting smells that fill the house.
Dutch Oven
Available at Le Creuset. From $400.
Voted as NBC Select’s #1 Dutch Oven, this infamous cooking dish delivers fun to the kitchen with its bold and bright colors, including shell pink and teal. As it turns out, they’re actually pretty useful, too.
With a dedicated fan base of cooks around the world, the dutch oven is ideal for cooking delicious stews and soups, making it the best gift for avid at-home chefs. Besides, if you’re the one giving the gift, you’ll likely get a tasty meal out of it!
Coffee Machine
Available at Walmart. From $59.
Help bring the coffee shop home with this charming coffee machine from Drew Barrymore’s popular brand, Beautiful. This gift is superb for all the coffee lovers needing their mandatory morning cup of Joe, as it promises to make up to 14 cups of coffee under 14 minutes (we wouldn’t recommend that much caffeine unless you’re a fan of heart palpitations).
Its range of five contemporary colors allows you to pick the perfect machine to match a loved one’s new decor without cramping their style.
Practical Gifts for New Homeowners
Tool gifts for new homeowners are a great way of bringing practicality to home living, especially as new homes often need a little bit of TLC to make them perfect. Sure, they might not be the most exciting, but practical gifts always end up being the gifts they’ll appreciate down the line.
Security Camera
Sure, we might be biased, but we think security cameras make for a really thoughtful and practical gift for new homeowners. With all the concerns moving into a new home can bring, it’s actually quite easy to forget about security.
Ensure the safety of your friends and loved ones with an effective security camera. We’d recommend one that supports mobile data, since Wi-Fi might not be set up for some time in a new home. Read our comprehensive guide on types of security cameras to explore more options.
Gardening Kit
Available on Mountain Warehouse. From $24.99.
For those lucky enough to have a patch of land to call their own, these tools are perfect for creating and maintaining a blissful garden Utopia. But as all new homeowners know, outdoor spaces are sometimes far from perfect when you first settle in.
Green thumbed gardening enthusiasts will love this floral-designed Tool Set Bag, as it comes with a set of 5 tools that are lightweight yet sturdy, making them easy to use for everyone. We’re sure their gardens will appreciate the TLC.
3-in-1 Mop and Steam Cleaner
Available on Amazon. From $106.50.
Moving in is not only a tiring task, but an extremely messy one too. That’s why this 4.5 star 3-in-1 Mop and Steam Cleaner is a necessary practical gift, especially for large families and pet owners.
Making it easy to clean hard to reach places, as well as on and above floors, there’s no excuse for not keeping a new home spick and span. Just try to avoid giving it to them before the movers have left.
Personalized Gifts for New Homeowners
Not everyone likes to receive practical gifts. For the sentimental among us, a gift with a more personal quality will be cherished and appreciated for a long time. They don’t have to be complicated, either; personalized gifts for new homeowners are unique housewarming gifts that add a special, meaningful touch to even the most mundane things.
Wine Bottle
Available on Personal Wine.
Memorialize and celebrate the move with these beautifully crafted wine bottles and glasses from Personal Wine. As the name implies, you’ll be able to create a unique label or bottle engraving on a range of curated wines.
Ideal for the sappy and sommelier-adjacent alike, this gift will help family and friends remember all the special times they had as new homeowners and anticipate those to come. We’ll toast to that!
Engraved Coasters
Available on Etsy.
A new home requires new furniture, and though they mightn’t have forgotten to buy a table, little things like coasters are likely to fall to the wayside during a big move. Stunning tables and impressive desks become at risk of drinks stains, especially with all the inevitable housewarming parties and family gatherings on the horizon.
Help ease these worries with fun and distinct personalized coasters, made from cork, slate, and other sturdy materials, that’ll have guests eager to use them.
Dishtowels
Available on Cotton Creations.
Dishtowels are also something that’s easy to forget about when moving into a new place, yet they actually tend to hold a fairly sentimental position in family homes.
These beautiful cotton dish towels from Cotton Creations are perfect for adding a little fun to dreaded and dish drying. With customization options allowing you to feature names and phrases, these towels can bring a touch of love and humor to the kitchen.
Wedding Gifts for New Homeowners
Fleeing the nest after marriage is an exciting time for new homeowners, and it certainly makes a move much more romantic. Thoughtful gifts are perfect in helping newlyweds celebrate the next stage of their lives.
Vase
Available from Animi Causa. From $47.99.
Fresh cut flowers are a tasteful and timeless way to congratulate newlyweds, but there’s got to be something to put them in!
These artistic wire silhouette vases bring a unique design to mantelpieces and reception areas, catching the eye of everyone that walks by. Designed for simple, long stemmed flowers and plants, these are perfect for those aiming for a more minimalistic vibe at home.
Crystal Glass Set
Available from Birch Lane. From $24.
Every home needs glassware fit for a king. After all, what are you supposed to drink out of when you come over to party?
Thankfully you don’t need to fork out a small fortune on Baccarat crystal to wow them. Gift this elegant 16oz. Dublin crystal glass from Birch Lane, ready to be used at every dinner party or even just as stunning display cabinet decor.
Diffusers
Available from Nordstrom. From $119.
Put a pricier spin on the popular candle housewarming gift to a diffuser for a safer option for scentlovers. This gorgeous, porcelain electronic diffuser from Vitruvi brings a variety of satisfying oil aromas into a new home, designed specifically for aromatherapy.
This is the ultimate gift for those who enjoy using scents for holistic healing treatments to promote health and wellbeing.
Housewarming Gifts for Men
It’s no secret that men can be tough to buy gifts for, especially when those gifts are related to housewarming. Consider these ideas for useful gifts, full of great ways to help the men in your lives settle comfortably into their new space.
Grooming Kit
Available from Molton Brown. From $75.
Maintaining a daily cleansing routine can sometimes be a little difficult to convince a man to do. However, this Molton Brown grooming kit, complete with shower gel, shampoo and a hydrator, makes it easy to keep clean and fresh every morning.
Scents include black pepper and ginger, making for a zingy freshness that will last throughout the day.
Plants
Available from The Sill.
Houseplants have seen a huge growth in popularity over the years, particularly due to their associated benefits, therefore presenting an obvious housewarming choice.
With different colors, sizes and smells, they are great at sprucing up and bringing life to even the dullest of homes. Choose a plant that would complement the personality and style of your loved one to add a special personalized touch.
Whisky
Available from The Whiskey Exchange. From $257.10
Wine might be the beverage of choice when it comes to housewarming gifts, but why not push the boat out with a spirit?
Whisky is loved worldwide due to its rich and strong taste. This 23 year old Glenfiddich Malt Scotch Whisky features sweet notes of creamy vanilla, brioche, and white grape, making it the optimum drink to indulge and chill out with after a long stressful day.
Housewarming Gifts for Women
An empty new home longs for a feminine touch, and that’s probably achieved through the gifts you bring into it rather than the presence of a woman alone. Celebrate the women in your life with these fabulous housewarming gift ideas for women.
Blanket
Textiles of any kind can add depth and substance to an otherwise empty room, but blankets and throws instantly add that coziness that all new homes desperately need.
This is a lovely gift for any woman who frequently cozies up on a Friday night to watch movies. Voted #1 on Wirecutter’s (NYT) best blanket list, this multi-layered plush-loft blanket provides a comfortable and warm cover, whilst also adding a luxury touch to any couch or bed.
Room Spray
Available from Diptyque. From $68.
Even the best scented candles and diffusers can struggle to eliminate the smells of a particularly pungent dinner, like fresh fish. Room sprays, however, are more adept at improving a room’s aroma.
Elevate the essence of any room with this best selling Baies room spray from Diptyque. Based around a blackcurrant and rose accord, this room spray can be used to freshen the room, as well as curtains, fabric wall coverings and cushions, making it the ideal choice for the scent-obsessed lady.
Skincare Set
Available from Ulta. From $50.
New home, new skincare routine! One major life change can quickly have a knock on effect on every routine a person has, so why not introduce a new skincare set to a friend’s life?
Gift a loved one these popular Drunk Elephant minis to help with hydration and resurfacing of the skin. The accompanying neon marula bag is the perfect size to pack for overnight trips, making it even more practical for the frequent flier.
Housewarming Gifts for Couples
Who says a romantic dwelling needs to house a married couple? These housewarming gift ideas are perfect for couples to share and enjoy together in their new space.
Wine Cooler
Available on Wine Enthusiast. From $19.95.
Aged ice coolers are a thing of the past! Replacing it is this modern, iceless chiller that keeps pre-chilled bottles cool for up to 3 hours (if they last that long!).
Gift this handy accessory to the couple that enjoys sharing a bottle of bubbly over a candlelit home dinner (or takeout).
Gift Basket
Available on Harry & David. From $54.99.
What’s better than one gift? A whole basket of them! This classic gift basket contains a variety of fresh, mouth-watering fruit, nut and cheese options, making it perfect for food lovers.
Packaged in a rustic reusable wooden box, this option also allows for the addition of wine for self-professed vino enthusiasts.
Knife Set
Available on Walmart. From $109.95.
A new kitchen can inspire a new found love for cooking and interesting recipes. Ensure that your loved ones have the correct utensils and tools, with this sleek and sharp cutlery set from Walmart.
New knives are one of those gifts where the recipient can’t imagine how they ever cooked before them. If anything, this gift might just curb all of those “newly moved in” takeaways!
FAQ
Should you bring a gift to housewarming?
Yes! Bringing gifts to a housewarming shows that you are celebrating this milestone with your loved ones and gives you a chance to help them decorate their new home.
What is a nice inexpensive housewarming gift?
Any gift can be inexpensive! Your loved ones will often care more about the thought than the actual gift. Our list contains a range of both inexpensive and pricier options depending on what you are hoping to buy.
What to get someone who just bought their first house?
Buying gifts that a new homeowner won’t already have, whether it’s something fun like a Dutch oven or something essentia like a security camera, is a great way of ensuring that they have all they need for a smooth settling in.
What to buy someone who already has everything?
Buying something more personalized can be a great gift for someone who already has everything. This doesn’t have to be something sentimental to cherish forever; it could be something as simple as a personalized wine.
Conclusion
When brainstorming gifts ideas for new homeowners, it helps to think about what makes that person unique. An easy-to-make mistake when gift giving is to give something that you like, as opposed to something that speaks to the recipient’s interests.
That being said, all new homes are alike in that they’re probably lacking in some flourishes, both practical and decorative. Elevating a gift by incorporating a personal touch related to the recipient is therefore a great way to cater to both what they want and what they need.