Housewarming parties can be a little awkward if you’re new at buying “cool” gifts. Or at least that’s what you might think – but the truth is that you’re not in the minority here at all. Many people feel the same way, and it’s important to remember that the main point of these parties isn’t to give the best gift – it’s to celebrate someone’s new place and help them create some warm, cozy memories with it right from the start. The gift is just a bonus on top of that, and while it can help to be a bit more thoughtful, nobody is going to think less of you if you don’t find the perfect option.
That said, here are some things to consider if you’re completely stuck and can’t come up with any ideas at all.
Goodie Basket
If you don’t know much about the people who’ve invited you, or their hobbies and interests are too varied to make a good decision easily, you can take the safe option of going with a goodie basket. You can add a little something from every common category in there – some sweets, hygiene products, aroma candles, and various other goodies that can make the home feel a little bit cozier and more pleasant. You don’t have to go out of your way to pick the contents of the basket. But if you can throw in something a bit more personalized, that can certainly go a long way.
A Stylish Vase
It might seem like a simple option, but you’d be surprised how many people forget to get at least one vase when first moving in. And since many housewarming gifts and packages include flowers, this often leads to awkward situations involving bottles and glasses. An elegant vase is a very thoughtful gift for a housewarming party, and it’s something that can see daily use if your hosts enjoy having some flowers around to keep things fresh on a daily basis. The market is full of interesting options and creative designs, so take some time and find something that will match the overall decoration.
Interesting Cookbooks
If your hosts love cooking, you can never go wrong with a more unusual or specialized cookbook. Something like “50 Ways to Cook a Steak” or whatever fits the tastes of your friends can be a great addition to any kitchen. People like to put too much trust in the internet for that nowadays. But as valuable as those recipe sites may be, nothing beats a professionally written cookbook with some exciting recipes. The author has gone out of their way to prepare things that will most likely be new to their readers. There’s a good reason why cookbooks are still so popular on the market, and they stand well, even for avid cooks.
Photo Album
A new home also means a unique opportunity for unforgettable memories with one’s family, and you can quickly help your hosts celebrate that with a good album for photos. Some people seem convinced that photo albums are out of fashion these days, but the reality is quite the opposite. After a decade of digital devices, people have started to yearn for the simpler times that brought them more joy in a more personalized way.
Companies like Photobox are actively caring for people with those mindsets, offering a wide range of products that can fit most needs. It doesn’t matter if you need a more exquisite photo album with a detailed design or if you’re looking for something simple that can do the job of storing photos; you’ll easily find something suitable. And your hosts will appreciate the nudge to start collecting their memories in a more organized manner.
A Good Coffee Machine
Coffee lovers can sometimes be easy to shop for, especially when they’re in a situation where they still don’t have a lot of equipment. A fancy coffee machine can be a great housewarming gift with a lot of long-term value, and that doesn’t just apply to avid fans of a good brew. There’s a good chance your hosts don’t have a coffee machine yet if they’ve just moved in and are still sorting out the details around their furnishing and appliances, and you can save them a lot of effort with a gift like that. Plus, you can immediately see it in action during the party, which can boost everyone’s mood.
Something Hand-crafted
If you’re into arts and crafts, you have an additional option that most people don’t have access to, and it’s a good idea to take advantage of it whenever you can. Hand-crafted gifts always tend to be received well, no matter your specialty. It doesn’t have to be anything handy, and it could be an utterly decorative item that adds something to the home’s aesthetics. The important thing is that you show you’re putting some additional effort in and that you’ve taken the time to think about what might fit their home best.
Or if you’re not crafty with your hands, you can still apply some degree of personality for your gift if you’re aiming for this. Things like tote bags can be customized by few businesses like US Imprints.
Quality Tools
Tools get ignored far too much when it comes to housewarming gifts. Sure, it’s nothing elegant or stylish, but a good set of tools can go a long way towards making people’s lives more accessible in a new home. From expensive power tools to something simple like a case of standard screwdrivers and other things that often come up in minor home repairs, you can do quite a lot here. People don’t even realize how valuable a gift like this is until they’ve received it – at that point, they usually wonder why they’ve never thought to buy their tools in the first place.
Things to Avoid
The above suggestions should get you a good start if you want to be more original. On the other hand, there are some things you should generally avoid for various reasons. Alcohol, for example, is a tacky gift given by people who couldn’t be bothered to put any thought into what they’re getting. Bedding and other similar products can look nice, but they are often tricky to match with the rest of what people already have. And, of course, avoid anything that could potentially trigger allergies and other similar problems. Food is a good option only if it’s something extraordinary, like a complex handmade dish, or if it’s part of a bigger gift package.
Don’t stress too much – as long as you make it evident that you’ve put some thought into this and aren’t just trying to get it over with as efficiently as possible, it shouldn’t be too hard to find something suitable that will leave a lasting impression. The rest comes down to enjoying the party and having a good time – that’s the main point of getting together in the first place!