Gifts for housewarming

Your friend just moved in together with their partner, your sibling finally escaped mum and dad’s house or your colleague bought a place with a garden (jealous). And you? You’re invited to the housewarming. So now what? First things first: showing up empty-handed is not an option. The solution? A housewarming gift! But not just any gift. Because let’s face it, everyone brings a plant or a supermarket bottle of wine. And while those are fine(ish), you can do that much better.

Give them something that’s fun and personal, something that says “I want you to love living in your house.” Think of custom photo gifts or some beautiful wall art that makes them smile every time they pass it in the hallway. Here are some of our favourite ideas:

• A framed poster with their favourite picture
• An embroidered apron, for all those future dinner parties
• A blanket with their dog’s face on it
• A personalised mug, that’ll make the early mornings just that bit tolerable

There are many different kinds of homes, so different houses call for different gifts. Depending on the age of the resident, setting and type of house, you’ll have to tweak your gift accordingly. Because the perfect gift for a student might seem silly for your colleague who moved into their new dreamhouse. So we listed a few situations to guide you through it:
A housewarming in a student room
Chances are high they’re moving in with a couple of strangers and no kitchen utensils. So your gift should be something practical. What about drink glasses or a mug with their name on? Yes. Or a kitchen towel with a funny inside joke? Even better. A practical gift that they can use everyday will feel like a grand gesture!

For the housewarming of a couple that moved in together
They probably already fought over the sofa and compromised on wall colour. But they’ll both agree that your gift is awesome. Couples that move in together generally have all their necessities already. So you probably need to go for a present that celebrates them as a couple. Get them some wall decoration of their beautiful photos together, a soft blanket for them to get cosy under or matching mugs to share their morning tea.

The housewarming of your friend who moved out
Independence, baby! Celebrate it with a gift that’s unapologetically theirs. A doormat with a bold quote or a personalised apron for when they’ll host all those future parties. Go for something special, something wonderful, just like them.

In the end, choosing housewarming gifts is very different for everybody. Just remember that the best gifts don’t have to be expensive or over-the-top. They just have to feel personal and thoughtful. Simply add their name, a date or photo or even a joke only the two of you get. That’s what makes a gift unforgettable, and you’ll be forever legendary for bringing it with you!