So you’ve been invited to a housewarming party for friends
who just bought their first home, and you have no idea what to bring them.
Never fear, NewHomeSource is here! We’ve made this handy dandy guide to useful
(and fun) housewarming gifts for first-time homeowners:
1. Yard Stuff
One of the biggest lifestyle changes for first-time homeowners is becoming responsible for yard maintenance. Practical presents like shovels, garden hoses and rakes are great gift ideas, while yard décor like the iconic, trashy pink flamingo prove that you’re the fun friend.
Your loved ones can’t win their HOA’s best yard award without the proper tools to tame the great outdoors. If you do plan on giving the gift of lawn care, make sure you actually give the new homeowners useful tools, after all, you don’t need a riding lawnmower if you live in a townhouse.
2. Fun Serving Dishes
Help new homeowners do the whole “adulting” thing right by bringing them nice serving dishes as their housewarming gift. If your friends love to entertain, they can definitely make room for stylish serving dishes in their new kitchen cabinets.
If you know your loved ones like to entertain or want nicer dishes, you can team up with other guests and spring for a stylish set of dinnerware. Just make sure it has a pattern your friends actually like.
3. Houseplants
Houseplants go with any home décor and make fantastic housewarming presents. Low-maintenance plants like rubber plants, succulents, jade plants, and bromeliads help beautify new homes, without forcing new homeowners to become crazy plant parents.
Pro Tip: If you know that your loved ones have a black thumb, or simply don’t have the bandwidth to take care of growing plants, opt for a high-end bouquet instead.
4. Fire Extinguishers and First Aid Kits
Every homeowner needs basic safety equipment. Fire extinguishers and first aid kits aren’t the most fun presents, but the peace of mind that comes with them cannot be overstated. Safety gifts show you care, even if they are often overlooked by well-meaning loved ones.
In the hustle and bustle of moving out of a rental space, into a new home, getting proper home safety equipment might have gotten lost in the shuffle. Don’t let your loved ones get caught without a band-aid, or unprepared in the event of an emergency.
5. Ladders and Other Tools
New homes come with some new responsibilities. A ladder and other tools let first-time homeowners take responsibility for their new home, make DIY home repairs and upgrades, and manage standard home maintenance.
NewHomeSource is not responsible for the aftermath or injuries resulting from any tool related jokes you might make if you decide to complete a new homeowner’s tool kit.
6. Wall Art or Framed Photographs
Let’s be real, gallery walls aren’t going anywhere. Give a gift that has personal and practical value when you give a meaningful piece of art to new homeowners.
Like fancy dishes, you need to know your friend’s style before you buy them home decor. Don’t be the jerk that starts the sentimental clutter pile in your loved one’s new home by giving them pictures they won’t like.
7. Funny Welcome Mats
You can find everything on the internet, including hilarious welcome mats. Fun welcome mats let new homeowners show off their sense of humor and welcome visitors and loved ones into their brand new house.
Keep in mind that not everyone- especially in-laws, HOA representatives, and elderly neighbors- might appreciate NSFW humor. Unless you know that your friends want that in their lives, keep the welcome mat clean.
8. Housecleaning Services
Nobody likes cleaning house. A gift certificate to a local cleaning service, or a favor from a friend, will let homeowners kick back and relax after moving, and actually enjoy life in their new home.
Offering to help keep your friend’s house clean, and actually following up on the favor, is a great housewarming gift for anyone short on cash, or for homeowners that don’t want a bunch of junk piling up in their space.
9. A Pile of Cash/Gift Cards
Give the gift that keeps on giving when you show up to your friend’s housewarming party with a pile of cash. Giving money to new homeowners means they can buy something they actually want for their new home.
If you’re going to show up to a housewarming party with cold hard cash, don’t cheap out. Be honest with yourself about how much you would have been willing to spend on a present, and put that amount in a nice card.
10. Wine
Give the other gift that keeps on giving with a nice bottle of wine, so your friends can make a toast to their new home and celebrate in style.
Many people bring wine to housewarming parties, so don’t just buy the first, cheapest jug you get your hands on at the grocery store. Make it a special bottle for this special occasion.
Have fun at the housewarming party, and if you have any unique gift ideas for new homeowners, let us know in the comments below!
After graduating in 2016 from The University of Texas with a degree in English, Sanda Brown became a content writer for the BDX with a focus on website copy and content marketing.
At the BDX, Sanda helps write and edit articles on NewHomeSource.com, writes website copy for builders, and manages a team of freelancers that work on additional content needs.
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