Housewarming gifts
Over the last 15 years I’ve lived in a studio apartment, helped my parents clean out their home of 30+ years, and bought a home of my own. I’ve seen how quickly accumulation sets in and what’s waiting for you at the end of the downsizing rainbow. What someone needs to make their home feel complete varies by life stage, but useful high quality homewares are a safe bet for anybody. (Maybe reconsider the fondue set). Beyond that, this flavor of gift giving is refreshingly open-ended and casual. There’s no expectation of grand gestures and skipping gift wrap is entirely reasonable, if not encouraged.
But when there seem to be so many right answers it can be hard to know where to start. I’d like to make a bold proposition: When it comes to housewarming gifts, it’s okay to ask in advance what the recipient would like. Someone who recently moved has probably just taken inventory of everything they own, and is acutely aware of what they need, what they want to replace, and what they never used and eventually donated. Odds are there’s something they would really appreciate getting if only someone would ask. But if you’re keen on a surprise, here are a few ideas for each type of home transition:
Upsizing or getting their first place
This is the most fun because you can assume the recipient has an appetite for items beyond essentials plus space to put them.
Board games and puzzles
Wall clock
Table runner, linen napkins, placemats
Vintage barware or glassware
Cookies on a platter for the recipient to keep
Plants in nice pots
Picture frames
Yard tools if they have yard now and didn’t before
Hand towels and hand soap
Wireless speaker for a larger home (stick with the same brand they already have)
Coasters
Essential specialty items (for example, a Roomba, garlic roaster, welcome mat)
Downsizing, same-sizing, or moving in with a partner
The last thing the recipient needs are things they just got rid of (for example, specialty barware or kitchen tools, knickknacks, books, serving dishes, and so forth). Stick to these categories instead.
Containers to organize things they already have
Consumables (taper candles, reed diffuser, specialty olive oil, top-shelf coffee, your favorite BBQ sauce)
Compact items (a record if they have a turntable, a personalized Christmas ornament, a return-address stamp)
Gift certificate for home maintenance services (for example, knife sharpening, window washing, carpet cleaning)
Special cases
They’re new in town: Ways to enjoy their new city or town (restaurant gift card, event tickets, hiking gear, scenic flight over the city)
They bought an old house: historical photo of the house from the local county archives, toolbox with essential hand tools for any old-house homeowner