Housewarming Gift Ideas

My sister and brother-in-law recently moved into a new home, and while searching for a housewarming gift for them to mark the occasion, I came across a handful of ideas I thought y’all might find helpful should you find yourselves in a similar situation. Most of these gifts would work great not only as housewarming gifts, but also as hostess and sometimes wedding/engagement gifts as well.

I think the aim of any good housewarming gift should be for it to be both beautiful and useful. That could mean a pretty plate filled with homemade cookies to be enjoyed as a family moves in, or a lovely kitchen item for them to use for years to come. Of course, it always helps if you know things the homeowner is lacking and can really use, but here I’ve tried to include suggestions would work for just about anyone.

Other great gift ideas, which aren’t listed below, include things like a basket of settling in essentials, such as lightbulbs, paper towels, picture hanging kits, etc. or a home-cooked meal. You can also go the symbolic route, incorporating some form of a pineapple for hospitality, or candles/candlesticks (a common housewarming gift in China, India, and Italy, conveying the wish that the new home will always be full of light). In the classic movie It’s A Wonderful Life, there’s a scene where the Baileys welcome the Martinis to their new home with bread (“that this house may never know hunger”), salt (“that life may always have flavor”), and wine (“that joy and prosperity may reign forever”). Putting together a gift of those three items would be a wonderful welcome as well.

Here are some of my top housewarming gift picks:

Personalized Address Stamp ($39.95), Paper Source: Kevin and I had one of these at our last house, and we loved it! We used it ALL the time, and so I love giving it as a gift to folks who have just gotten a new address. This fun kit allows the recipient to personalize his or her stamp, choosing from 50+ options on the Paper Source site.

Personalized Whiskey Decanter ($38), West Elm: For a whiskey-loving friend, look no further than this decanter, which you can personalize with a letter or name on the wooden stopper. It’s beautiful but also simple, sure to coordinate with any style of decor.

Slate Cheese Boards ($29.90 for both), Crate & Barrel: Raise your hand if you have too many cheese boards. (I see zero hands.) This is a gift you could bring to the new homeowner with cheese on it for them to enjoy today, and then let them use the boards for years.

Medium Aegean Clear Glass Vase ($39), Pottery Barn: Bring this to the new homeowner(s) full of flowers.

Vintage Wood Serving Platter ($39), Pottery Barn: Anyone who hosts is always looking for lovely serving pieces. Plus, this is another gift you can let the recipient enjoy immediately by presenting it to them with a batch of muffins, brownies, or other baked goods.

Personalized Welcome Mat ($36), Etsy: What better way to say “welcome home” than with a welcome mat?

Do you have favorite go-to housewarming gifts and traditions to share?