AD | There’s nothing quite like helping your friend(s) settle into their new place. Once all the boxes are away, it’s time to celebrate, enjoy good food and wine, and share recent stories while also reminiscing about the good old days. There’s only one cloud on the horizon, namely the challenge of finding the perfect gift for your host (sigh). But what if you had a list of go-to items that make much appreciated housewarming gifts? Well, you’re in luck. Step away from the blenders and coffee machines and take a look at some other practical housewarming gifts that are definitely worth thinking about.
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Great Practical Housewarming Gifts Ideas
What’s a good housewarming gift though? Well, usually it’s either something your friend will use a lot (such as a cheeseboard or wine rack for the kitchen), or something that they wouldn’t think to treat themselves to, which is where luxury housewarming gifts come in.
Alternatively, if you’re buying for someone you don’t know that well, why not make up a gift basket with some simple housewarming gifts such as a bottle of bubbly and some wineglasses? Don’t forget the corkscrew either! Anyway, here are some helpful suggestions for gifts for your friend’s new house.
For The Host Who Likes A Fresh Smell
Smell is one of the easiest ways to make a space feel homely. Oil diffusers and scented candles are some of the most traditional housewarming gifts to help your friend settle into their new space. Take your pick from reed to automatic diffusers – all of which can be used in various spaces around their home. Or go for a candle with a geometric design to really stand out on their coffee table.
Complete this thoughtful present with some carefully chosen essential oils that match their taste and contain soothing properties. Think bergamot, lavender, rose, chamomile or ylang-ylang. All these scents possess calming properties to create the perfect atmosphere for new homeowners.
For The Host Who Loves A Touch Of Colour
After deciding where the furniture will go, your friend might be very keen to add their personal touch and make their house a home with suitable decorations.
Flowers are pretty, but fresh ones simply don’t last the distance and can be forgotten about soon after the housewarming party. Why not opt for something with a little longevity, such as a dried floral arrangement or some handmade felt flowers, which can be just as stunning. And they offer that extra pop of colour that will easily complement the dining table or kitchen counter. Pair them with a stylish vase for a complete present. Other practical housewarming gifts you could get them include a gorgeous houseplant or two – bonus points if you choose allergy-friendly houseplants as well.
For The Host Who Enjoys Welcoming Guests At Home
What’s an easier and more flexible gift than a quality, custom-made welcome sign? It shows you’ve put some real thought and effort into the gesture. You also have a fair bit of creativity to work with. What’s your friend’s favourite colour? Favourite animal? Favourite line from a song or film? These elements can be incorporated into an original design that will be cherished for years to come.
An alternative to a welcome sign is a doormat. While this might seem like a ‘boring’ present, it’s one of the most useful housewarming gifts to give, as well the perfect opportunity to help your friend add a little personal touch to their front door. Once again, you have the opportunity to customise this welcome mat in a way that suits their style – from classic and vintage to quirky, or just something simple and sweet. You could even go the extra mile and have details like their name (or initials) or house number strategically positioned in the design.
For The Host Who Loves Having Photos At Home
A cherished photo in a beautiful frame is a go-to housewarming present, as well as one of the most practical housewarming gifts. Whether it’s a fun night out or a trip you took together, there’s nothing like a well-thought-out present with your favourite snap of you both. One of the best new home gifts is a digital photo frame, which is an ingenious way to display lots of photos and watch them like a slideshow.
Some digital frames even come with Wi-Fi accessibility. Whether it’s a happy snap you’ve suddenly come across or a funny picture of your dog, with a few simple taps you can send the photo your friend’s way for them to display easily.
And What Is The Best Practical Gift For New Homeowners?
All of the items listed above can really help make your friend’s space a little more comfy, extra special and homely. With this range of simple housewarming gifts ideas there’s no need to stress about highly priced blenders and fancy coffee machines the next time you’re invited to a housewarming party. And in answer to the question about the most practical gift for your new homeowning friend? That’s easy, it’s the one you really want to keep for yourself!
What did you think of these housewarming gift ideas? Have you ever given any of these suggestions as presents before? What other useful gifts would you take for a housewarming celebration?
* This is a collaborative post – please see my Disclaimer.
These are such fab ideas! My friends are starting to buy / move into houses now, so I’ll keep these in mind for house warming gifts!
Emily x
Thank you, Emily, good timing on my part then! x
Love howr you’ve divided these gifts up. They’re all such fab ideas. I really like the idea of the personalised sign. I might look into this for our house as a to me from me gift.
Claire. X
http://www.clairemac.co.uk
Great minds, Claire, I’ve been thinking about this too, although I’m leaning towards the door mat as well! x
I like the dried floral arrangements. It is nice for providing a heartfelt fragrance that lasts for days. When space is a constraint, it is better to avoid huge gifts.
Yes, I agree, and most of these gifts would work well in an apartment too, I think.
How helpful! Wish this was around when my friends started buying houses hah
Thank you – there’s always next time 🙂
Haha, what’s your beef with blenders! 😉 I love a good blender! But I see what you mean, they’re not the most exciting of gifts. These are some great ideas; I got my friends a candle and a cushion when they moved into their flat, both in yellow, the colour of their living room and they loved them 🙂
That’s it exactly, haha! Your housewarming gifts sound lovely, Jenny, really thoughtful and personalised to your friends 🙂 x
These are some really lovely ideas. If I was the new homeowner, I would love a diffuser or some flowers as a housewarming gift. Thank you for sharing your gift suggestions. I hope you have a fabulous month!
Lauren x
Thank you, Lauren, I’m so pleased you like the ideas. A diffuser would be my top choice too, I have a couple and they are fabulous for scenting a room, without the danger of leaving a flame burning x
Love these gifts and I love even more how you’ve ordered them. It’s the perfect way of thinking about who would like what.
Thank you, Lisa, that’s very good to hear!
I love this post! We moved into our home in September of 2021 and received some of the most wonderful housewarming gifts – from air fryers to sheets to security cameras to gift cards! It’s great to really think about something unique, personal, and practical. The idea of a diffuser is absolutely something I can see myself giving someone. I swear by my own!
Thank you, Stephanie! I’ve actually been looking at air fryers and wondering whether to get one – we have a slow cooker that I use a lot so an air fryer seems like a natural complement in our kitchen. And it’s a big yes to a diffuser as a gift from me too!
Ohh, I would have loved to have some housewarming gifts for moving into our new apartment but nothing for the kitchen as it’s very small and I have no space, haha! Great list!
I’m sure it’s not too late, Molly, what about gifting yourself something? 🙂
These are all such great gift ideas! The digital frame would be such an amazing gift, too… I love how they cycle through all of your favorite photos on repeat!
Thank you, Heidi, and yes, I know, they’re perfect when you can’t choose just one image to display 🙂
Oh I love this, this is such a handy guide – especially with all the different suggestions catered to their taste! A lot of my friends will be moving out to head to uni come September and I love the idea of giving some photo frames, I think they really add that homely, personal touch to a place. Thank you so much for sharing x
Thank you, Ceri, I’m so pleased you found it helpful! And your friends will be very lucky to have their new photo frames come September 🙂
I was just searching for some housewarming gifts for my best friend, and you gave me a few ideas! Thank you for this post!
Oh that’s great, I’m very pleased to hear it 🙂
Wine rack and oil diffuser sound like awesome ideas. I would love those as a new home owner!
Absolutely, and I would too 🙂
Great post! I think practical gifts are great. I would rather receive a bottle of Champagne or British sparkling wine instead of something I wouldn’t want to put a display.
I think that’s the first time I’ve heard Champagne referred to as a practical gift, I’m going to use that FOREVER from now on, Anca!
These are good gift ideas for housewarming. You just gave me some ideas on what to give my cousin. Thank you for sharing, Lisa.
That’s great to hear, Fadima, I’m so pleased 🙂
Ooh yes, practical we like that and memorable too. These are also Friendly on the pocket and the right vase will lift any decor.
Thank you, Bev, you’re so right about the right vase, it can be a real talking point.
Wait… I didn’t know about the digital frames until now. It’s a cool idea and can be connected through Wi-Fi.
They’re really good, perfect for when you don’t know which photo you want to display all the time!
Some lovely suggestions. I think it’s so hard to buy house warming gifts, because you never know their choice of decor of what they might already have. Candles are my go to, but tbh I wouldn’t want to receive them myself as I never use them. Although I have given slate cheeseboard/noticeboards and pretty measuring cups before and both of those went down well.
That’s so funny that you gift candles but wouldn’t want them in return – I’m the complete opposite, I can never have too many, haha!
My friends have started to buy houses or move into new properties, so this blog post came at the perfect time. Candles are my go-to housewarming gift, as everyone loves a good candle. A custom-made welcome sign is such a cute idea, an excellent way to make the house feel like a home.
Love these ideas; thank you for sharing. 😊
Candles are pretty much a fail-safe, aren’t they? But it’s nice to be able to choose other housewarming gifts as well, so I’m glad this was helpful for you 🙂
I gifted a scented wax melter once, and it was very well received! I think artwork also makes a lovely gift, but only if you know the recipient really well, as artwork is a personal affair and is not always the best choice if you are attending a party for a casual friend.
I am also a supporter of gifting photo frames, vases, and baskets! 🙂
I agree about the artwork too, Jaya. However, as you say, a carefully curated gift basket will always go down well, I think!
Lovely ideas for every taste, dried flowers are so cute..
Thank you, Gabi 🙂
You’ve shared some great present ideas here which I’ll for sure be taking full advantage of as my bestie is moving soon! I love that you covered all bases, I appreciate that and I think many others will too. Thank you so much for sharing with us Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
I’m so glad this post came at the right time then, hope your bestie has a successful house move!
All my friends have fancy blenders already – these gifts are way better! Thanks for the ideas. It can be hard to come up with a nice gift, especially if you’re not sure of the decor.
Thank you, Colleen, that’s very good to hear this post has been helpful 🙂
really love all of these ideas! I am very glad to have read and use these ideas, as you said, for how much fresh flowers are great, they don’t last! I think dried flowers and an essential oil diffuser are the best one and some I would love to receive!
You and I are very alike, these would be my go-tos as well – if I didn’t keep them for myself, that is!
Thanks for sharing, these gifts look great for a housewarming 🙂
Glad you like them, Nic, thank you 🙂