Clever housewarming gift ideas (that work even if you're on a budget)
House warming parties are always fun and a great time to relax and catch up with family and friends. Knowing what to bring to one though can be a bit tricky. You don’t want to bring something too impersonal, but you also don’t want to bring something that will never get used. Here are some tried and true ideas if you are stuck:
1. A nice set of glasses or mugs. If you’re anything like myself, you are constantly running low on glasses and/or mugs! Between the copious amounts of water and green tea that I ingest every day there just never seems to be enough of them! Then comes the dreaded day where your slippery hands drop one, it shatters into a million little pieces, and now you’re short. Don’t be afraid to bring a practical gift such as glasses or mugs! With so many choices on the market you’re bound to find one that suits their simplistic or slightly more uptown style. Look for clear glass styles with elegant writing or over-sized mugs with rugged details.
2. A large, cozy, warm blanket. There really is no better feeling than coming home after a long day and cozying up on the couch in an oversized blanket. My rule of thumb with blankets is the bigger the better! A king size one will serve as a personal cocoon or allow for multiple family members to snuggle under all at once. While you may want to spring for a lighter version, I always find it best to go with a heavier one as it allows you to transition it into the cooler months as well. If you wanted to make it extra special - you could have it monogrammed or add another unique touch such as having their new address embroidered.
3. A nice bottle of liquor. If you know that the host enjoys a rich glass of red wine with dinner or a tumbler of scotch neat, then don’t be afraid to be the person who brings booze! Let’s admit it – we all need a drink every now and then and surprising a friend or family member with their favourite taste of temptation is always a nice treat! As an added bonus they can always choose to open it up and share it at the party as well (which means you get a little taste yourself)!
4. Cutting boards. While the idea of bringing a cutting board may seem a bit too generic and boring do not underestimate how many one household can and will go through! Between chopping up veggies, meat, and bread, cutting boards are always in heavy rotation in my household. Whether you choose to go the fancier route and present them with a monogrammed cheese board or something more simple and refined such as a plain wooden board – they are bound to get used! Every time your host uses it they will think of you and remember what a thoughtful gift it was.
5. DIY Dinner. Rather than bringing over a traditional meal in a pan why not assemble everything the new homeowner’s will need to make a delicious dinner together in their new kitchen? This idea can be as simple or complex as you would like. Your main goal should be to bring something that you know that they like and will enjoy. Are they a Taco Tuesday lovin’ couple? If so, simply supply them with tortilla shells, salsa, and your choice of meat and veggies - voilà they are ready to go!
6. Starter tool kit. While this can on take on a few different versions it is one of the most under estimated gifts to give - even though it will definitely get used on a regular basis. You can choose to pick up a preassembled kit from your local hardware store or make one yourself! Be sure to include all the necessities – hammer, tape measure, screw driver, utility knife, wrench, pliers, nails/screws, and a flash light. I have to admit myself that having some of these tools on hand right after I had taken possession of my first home would have been a blessing in disguise. Instead, we were flagging down the service guy in our area begging him to let us use his tools for the first couple of weeks. Take my advice on this one - it’s always best to be prepared!
7. A nice bottle opener. This one is a no brainer and completely fool proof as everyone needs a bottle opener at some point (bonus points if you gift it with a nice bottle of alcohol). Having one on the fancier side gives it that little something extra and ensures it won’t get lost in the drawer filled with 100 other kitchen knick knacks. Don’t worry about giving them something that they may already have, as bottle openers have a tendency to be one of those items that always seems to magically go missing - unless it’s picked especially for you, of course!
8. A gift card to their favourite home store. Last but not least is the fall-back method of gifting a gift card. While this idea isn’t as personal as the ones mentioned above, if you choose one for a home store you know that they love, you’ll still be a winner in their books! This is a good option if the new homeowner’s already have most of the things they need in their new home or you just want to give them ability to pick something out themselves. They’re guaranteed to have a good time browsing the aisles while they shop for that particular item they want to spend your gift card on.
