15 Housewarming Gift Ideas They Will Love

Ahh, the housewarming gift. It seems now that I’m older, there is always someone in our group of family and friends moving. Especially since we are a military family. We have moved three times in the past five years, so we definitely know a thing or two about the best housewarming gifts to receive. Here are 15 housewarming gift ideas I know someone you care about will love!

Why a Thoughtful Gift Matters:

Housewarming gifts go beyond the simple exchange of material goods; they embody a cherished tradition of extending hospitality to someone entering a new phase of life. Whether it’s easing the transition into a new neighborhood or fostering a sense of community, these thoughtful gestures are a time-honored way to say, “Welcome home.”

While rooted in European customs that included symbolic gifts like bread, olive oil, and wine, the contemporary housewarming scene has evolved. Today, however, along with traditional gifts, housewarming gift ideas can be a little more non-traditional. This depends upon your budget and how much you’re willing to give 🙂 So I went to work and came up with the best gifts we’ve received, or given, that have really been a hit and are perfect for your next housewarming party!

15 Best Housewarming Gift Ideas:

1. Toaster – If there was one thing I would have asked for as a housewarming gift, it would have been a nice toaster! It’s so nice to have one that complements your kitchen and brings its own little character.
   
2. Storage Containers – Having an organized pantry brings joy! An unorganized pantry can make you feel unsettled. I recently reorganized ours with some containers and these labels, so I highly recommend this practical gift from personal experience.
   
3. Candles – You can not go wrong with a candle! They bring warmth and light to any room. And, giving it as a housewarming gift means, “May you always have light through the darkest of times,” in tradition. As a candle hoarder…eerr, I mean lover…these are some of our favorites.
   
   (Did you know: One of my favorite candle company’s Gold Canyon Candles had to close in May 2020? I was heartbroken but you can still find them on sites like Mercari and Ebay. Favs were Cucumber Melon, Fresh Sheets, and Rosemary Mint).
4. Wine – The gift of wine means, “May you always have joy and never go thirsty.” As a red wine lover myself some of my favorites are: Apothic Red Blend 2018, La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2017, and Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. A good white wine to try is Tornatore Pietrarizzo Etna Bianco 2018. Here are some of my favorite wine gift accessories to give:
   
5. House Print – Isn’t this just the most thoughtful gift? Imagine the smile on their face when they see a beautiful custom drawing/painting of their new home to hold onto forever.
   
6. Wood Gifts – You really won’t disappoint with a wooden gift. A wooden gift means, “May your home have stability, harmony, and peace.” Some favorite wooden gifts include cutting boards, recipe book holders, charcuterie board, and utensils.
   
7. Throw – few things make a home feel cozier than throw blankets laid out, am I right?
   
8. Salt Cellar – Once you start using a salt cellar it’s hard to go back to a shaker! They are so convenient and look just as cute out on display on countertops.
   
9. Personalized Stamp – This is the gift they never knew they needed. Such a special sentiment to any new homeowner.
   
10. Olive Oils – Who doesn’t love them some olive oil? We use oil on daily for cooking and I can tell you that having a dispenser for your oil versus pouring it out of the large spout it comes in is game-changing. The meaning, is “May you be blessed with health and well-being.” Here are some great-tasting and healthy oils along with some classy dispenser options.
    
11. Houseplants – OK, don’t let houseplants scare you when giving to a friend/ loved one who may not have a green thumb! Plants are great for homes in helping to purify the air and there are some very low maintenance (hard-to-kill plants, as they say) that are perfect. I’ve only listed those here, just in case 😉
    
12. Cast Iron – Cast Iron is the gift that keeps on giving for decades. My MIL gave us our first cast iron she got from HER mom when she was younger. It’s over 30 years old and is in its prime! As long as you know how to take care of a cast iron properly (no soap ? ) it’s one of the nicest gifts you could give. Our favorite is the Finex.
    
13. Rice Cooker – A rice cooker is a gift that most people didn’t know they needed. The gift of rice means, “May the love in your home multiply.” Gift someone with a jar of rice, a rice cooker, and a note like that and that’ll warm their hearts.
    
14. Kettle – Not everyone is a coffee lover, but maybe they are a tea lover. Even if they don’t drink coffee or tea, there is nothing easier than warming up a quick pot of water in a kettle for many drinks or household chores. Plus, they really make a stove look pretty.
    
15. Gift Cards – The gift that you just CANNOT go wrong with is a gift card. Especially to local hardware stores! Most new homeowners who are going to be tackling painting and home renovations will be there weekly. And, a GC to a quick cup of coffee or almost everyone’s favorite place ever….Target!
    

Other Traditional Gift Meanings:

I noted a few above, but did you know that there is meaning behind giving different household gifts? I only recently learned this! Here are some meanings behind other traditional housewarming gift ideas:

Bread – “May your house never know hunger.”

Honey – “May you always enjoy the sweetness of life.”

Houseplant – “May your home always have life.”

Rice – “May the love in your home multiply.”

Salt – “May there always be flavor and spice in your life.”

Irish House Toast:

“May joy and peace surround you,

Contentment latch your door;

And happiness be with you now,

And bless you evermore.”