10 Ideas for Thoughtful and Unique Housewarming Gifts

There’s no such thing as a perfect housewarming gift. Rather, there’s a housewarming gift that’s perfectly suited to the needs of the new homeowners. With these gift ideas, you’ll be able to celebrate your friends and family members’ new adventure, whether they’re buying their first home, expanding their home to fit a growing family, or downsizing post-retirement. Explore this guide for the best housewarming gift ideas from Woman’s World, and pick out a thoughtful, lasting, and truly special present for your favorite new homeowners.

History of Housewarmings

Did you know that friends and family have been honoring the tradition of housewarming for centuries? The practice of gift giving to new homeowners can be traced back to Medieval times. (Of course, the gifts that are shared have changed and evolved substantially since then.) The term “housewarming” gets its name from literal housewarming. Before central heating existed, friends and neighbors brought firewood to new homeowners. Fires were then built in every fireplace in the house. It heated the home, and was also believed to remove any lingering spirits that inhabited the home before the new owners’ arrival. The gift of wood helped to cleanse the house of spirits and make it safe and warm for new inhabitants. 

Though different cultures have different housewarming practices and traditions, there’s universality in sharing gifts with loved ones who are starting a new life. Typical traditional gifts reflect the spiritual and cultural practices of a community — the most common being bread and salt, pomegranates, pineapples, and cloth.

Housewarming Gift Ideas They’ll Love

Today, the spectrum of housewarming gifts for loved ones is broad. When picking out the perfect gift, there are several considerations that will ensure your gift is helpful to the home. Families who’ve lived together for a while will already have certain appliances, for example. Families who live in apartments or smaller homes — New York and LA come to mind — won’t have space for superfluous items. It’s important to give some thought to what they need and will use so that they don’t end up with duplicates or items that require storage they don’t have. 

Be sure, too, that the gift matches the homeowners’ personality and style. Here are a few housewarming gifts that are either useful or fun (or both).

1. Doormat

Nothing says “Welcome to our place like a doormat. Doormats are cute and useful, and they make a house feel like home even before the unpacking is done. Houses typically have more than one point of entry, so there’s a good chance your friends will benefit from a doormat. You can also give holiday or seasonal doormats that they’ll use, but might not think to purchase for themselves. One we like: Briarwood Lane Holiday Gnomes Doormat (Buy from Amazon, $24.99).

2. Throw Blankets and Other Linens

When it comes to something for inside the space, you can’t go wrong with cozy throw blankets. They’re a fun and easy way to add coziness and softness to a space, and are perfect for cuddling up on chilly nights, which makes them both home décor and functional pieces. Ask your friends the colors or style of their new home to make sure you purchase something that matches. (Try this one: KMUSET Fleece Blanket, Buy from Amazon, $13.99.) Other linens, too, such as dish towels or bath towels, make equally lovely housewarming gifts. You can even throw in specialty hand soap and essential oils for their diffuser to complete the gift basket. 

3. Coasters

Coasters aren’t just perfect for the night of the housewarming party. They’re an essential addition to any home because they protect the dining table, coffee table, and other surfaces that are vulnerable to water damage. To make them extra special, customize your coasters and coaster sets by inscribing them with a monogram of the homeowners’ family name. Consider stoneware coasters, illustrated coasters, or coasters made from photographs, too. One we like: Thirstystone Absorbent Monogram Sandstone Coasters (Buy from Amazon, $26.99).

4. Cheeseboard

There’s a reason charcuterie boards are all the rage. They’re festive and versatile best-sellers that can be used at any celebration. If charcuterie isn’t your friends’ taste, opt for an artisanal cheese board. Place items on serving trays or a quality cutting board that can be displayed in the kitchen. To take your cheeseboard to the next level, make it a gift basket with cheeses, olive oils, herbs like mint and rosemary, and specialty breads. One we like: SMIRLY Bamboo Cheeseboard, with a pull-out knife-set drawer (Buy from Amazon, $39.99).

5. Cookware

Before gifting cookware, you want to reach out to your friend to ensure you aren’t purchasing something they already own. That said, high-quality, dishwasher-safe cookware can be the perfect gift set for newlyweds moving into their new home. A cast iron skillet is a special and lasting gift, and baking and cooking can be used to make family recipes. When properly cared for, these items will last a lifetime. A skillet we like: MegaChef Assorted Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Cookware Set, 5 Piece (Buy from Amazon, $43.99).

6. Stemware

Wine glasses are always a great gift for a new home. Choose stemware for white, pink, or red wine, depending on the homeowners’ drink of choice. Consider pairing your gift with a wine rack or cocktail shaker for storage or display. And, of course, you can’t go wrong sharing your favorite bottle, too. A unique pick: Square Wine Glasses from the Bacador Store (Buy from Amazon, $29.97).

7. Electric Kettle

An electric kettle is an old-time tradition that is housewarming in the literal sense. Electric kettles are the perfect addition to any kitchen, and they make a wonderful vessel for a gift basket filled with tea, honey, and matching mugs. It’s a unique and creative gift that’s sure to get a lot of use. One we like: COSORI Electric Kettle (Buy from Amazon, $27.99).

8. Coffee Maker

Many families already have coffee makers, so check to make sure you’re not purchasing something your friends already own — you don’t want to gift items that end up in storage, the garbage, or the Amazon return warehouse. That said, there are many different types of coffee makers to pick from. A pour-over or French press are a bit more special than a standard drip coffee maker. Consider pairing these with a bag of your favorite beans or a cute set of matching mugs.

9. Baking Appliances

A stand mixer is one gift that many people refrain from purchasing for themselves. Stand mixers are expensive, but there are often deals and sales that bring the price down. There are many benefits to adding a stand mixer to the home, which is why this is one of the most popular wedding gift options. If you know your friend loves to bake or try new recipes, this gift is sure to wow at the housewarming party. One we like: Cuisinart Stand Mixer, 12 Speeds (Buy from Amazon, $199.95).

10. Succulents and Planters

Whether your friend loves to garden or simply appreciates something pretty, consider gifting them a succulent for their new space. Succulents are incredibly easy to care for, so you’re not adding anything to their plate as they unpack a new home. But they bring a little greenery and brightness to a space that makes it feel special. There are many different types of succulents to pick from, and you can customize this gift by picking out a planter that you know they’ll love. 

Conclusion

These thoughtful housewarming gift ideas are sure to delight friends and loved ones. Better still, buying them now  — in advance of the big move to the new house  — means you’ll be prepared (and will likely have gotten a deal on the price). With so many wonderful options to pick from, it’s easy to find something special and useful for friends or newlyweds starting a new life together, and you’re sure to find options on this gift guide list that they don’t already own (and avoid sending a gift card that says “I bought this at the last minute.” First-time homeowners, especially, will appreciate things like a doormat, throw blankets, and protective coasters, and they’re sure to love spending time in their new kitchen when they have and electric kettle, coffee maker, or stand mixer.

When it comes to picking out a thoughtful housewarming gift, it’s a good idea to look at the pieces they already own. For items that might be displayed or used as décor, reference their personal decorating style to make sure the piece matches, and always think about their personality and what they might like before you buy. Celebrate friends and loved ones with the support of Woman’s World and our gift guides for special occasions. Pick out the perfect housewarming gifts today.