Moving into a new home can be exciting. Filling it with all the necessities to make it feel like a home can be expensive. Enter housewarming parties! There are plenty of things your friends need when they move into a new place. There’s no need to give knick-knacks they won’t use or trendy décor that might not fit their plans. Here are some practical housewarming gifts your friends actually need (and want!).
1. Kitchen & Cooking Essentials
Don’t overthink it here. There are some cool gadgets and appliances you can give (we’ll get to some of those), but consider covering the basics.
Corningware Bakeware
Cover the essentials with a trusted brand like Corningware. This bakeware collection includes a 3-quart rectangular baker for meals like lasagna, a casserole with a cover and two small rectangular bakers. Each piece can be bought individually, so you can pick and choose as your budget allows.
Pyrex Mixing & Storage Containers
Macy’s has a 22-piece set from Pyrex that includes glass bowls and containers for mixing, baking and storage. Lids are included and the entire set is dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave and oven safe.
Baking Pans
Give a set that has all the essentials and is elegant and stylish. We chose a 4-piece bakeware set that includes a round pie pan, a square cake pan, a rectangular cookie pan and a bread pan. Your friends will have everything they need for baking up a storm in their new kitchen.
Serving Platter
Whatever you’re serving for dinner, it always looks better on a serving platter. It’s a must-have for every kitchen. We found a 13-inch oval platter that comes in classic white, so it will match whatever dishes your friends have or are gifted.
Pots & Pans
If your friends are newlyweds or just starting out on their home-owning adventure, chances are they’re short a few good pots and pans. This 13-piece stainless steel cookware set includes just about every type of pot or pan they’ll need plus a few utensils like a spoon, spatula and pasta server.
2. Toolkit for Home Repairs
You don’t have to be a handyman, but it helps to have the basic tools to fix simple problems or hang décor correctly. The Home Depot has a 76-piece home tool kit that includes everything you’ll need for general home repairs and DIY projects. And it’s all packed into a storage case to keep everything organized.
3. Gift Card for Décor
Common housewarming gifts include wall art, pillows, rugs, lamps and other decorative items. The danger is that you might not know how they want to decorate their home. Without knowing their color scheme, theme or preferences, buying decorative items is risky.
Play it safe and go with a gift card they can use to buy their own décor. The Happy Moments gift card can be used at Bed Bath & Beyond and Macy’s, two popular home goods stores.
In fact, many of the gifts on our list can be bought at those stores. If you’re not sure or don’t want to mess up their plans, give a gift card and let them choose.
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4. Amazon Echo
If your friends haven’t ventured into the home assistant realm yet, they’ll love this gift. You can even pair it with a smart plug to jumpstart their set up.
The Echo can tell you the weather, keep track of appointments and shopping lists, play music and control just about anything in your house.
The full-sized Echo is $100, while the smaller Echo Dot is $40. They both do the same thing, but the full-sized Echo offers better sound quality, if that matters to you (or your friend).
5. Ring Video Doorbell
Another smart device that’s popular among home-owners is the Ring Video Doorbell. This gadget allows you to see who’s at your door and talk to them, whether you’re at home or not.
6. Personalized Address Stamp
This is a practical item with a thoughtful touch. A custom address stamp makes every letter and Thank You card more personal. Here are a few good options: An All About Family stamp that includes personalized spaces for family members’ names and a decorative stamp that adds a bit more flair and personality.
7. Cookbook
If you’re going to give a cookbook, give one that you know is useful. There are a million cookbooks out there. Two classic options that are simple and practical are Joy of Cooking and Magnolia Table.
Joy of Cooking has been around for over 80 years and is beloved by many cooks. (It’s how Julia Child learned to cook!) It’s written in a conversational manner that’s easy to follow and it explains the basics of cooking and entertaining.
8. Throw Blanket
A classic throw blanket looks good in any room and will make your friends feel warm and cozy in a new place. Bedsure sells one of the most reviewed blankets on Amazon (over 19,000 reviews!), which makes it an easy choice for housewarming.
For something with a little more style, here’s a classic Ink+Ivy throw from Macy’s. We recommend choosing a neutral color like ivory, gray or navy.
9. Nespresso or Keurig Machine
If your friends are coffee drinkers, consider getting them a Nespresso or Keurig machine. Here’s how to choose: Nespresso is best for people who prefer espresso drinks like a latte or Americano. Keurig is a good choice for people who prefer a simple cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate.
Nespresso sells a bundle that includes a milk frother for lattes. On the Keurig side, the Keurig K-Classic is versatile enough for most people.
10. Nutribullet
Make your friend’s morning routine a little easier with a Nutribullet. This famous blender can whip up smoothies and dips in just a few minutes. The original Nutribullet is $80 or you can spring for the larger and more powerful Nutribullet Pro for $120.
Pro tip: Shop around for the best price. At the time of this writing, Bed Bath & Beyond has the Nutribullet for $70.
11. Roku Streaming Stick
A Roku is the ultimate tool for cord cutters. You can watch shows from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and more, plus movies and YouTube videos. The Roku Streaming Stick+ adds voice control to the remote, which is pretty handy.
12. Rabbit Automatic Electric Corkscrew
The Rabbit Automatic Electric Corkscrew makes opening a bottle of wine super easy. Just place the device on top of the bottle and watch it work its magic. You don’t have to use any pressure or push any buttons. If your friends are wine drinkers, they’ll appreciate this gift – and use it!
13. Personalized Home Essentials
If you have an idea of what style your friend is going with, giving some personalized décor with their name on it is a thoughtful housewarming gift. Here are a few ideas.
Door Mat
A door matt with the family’s name adds a personal touch to the entrance into their new home.
Coat Rack
They can use this 3-hook coat rack to hang coats, sweaters, bags or keys. It’s practical and the style is trendy.
“Home” Wall Art
This framed wall art has a cozy barnwood design that will make their home feel welcoming.
14. Let’s Eat Gift Card
The last thing you want to do after a move is cook a meal for the family. Take a load off by giving them a gift card for a nice dinner or a few simple meals.
The Let’s Eat gift card can be used at five different restaurants including Red Lobster, Cracker Barrel and The Cheesecake Factory.
15. Frozen Food Thawing Plate
You’ve probably faced this dilemma before: You’re ready to cook dinner and then realize you forgot to defrost the meat. A rapid defroster solves that problem. It can defrost frozen meat in half the time, sometimes in only 30 minutes!
16. Vase
Every home needs one or two decorative vases. They might not be used all the time, but for those occasions when you want to brighten up the room or add something special for when company comes over, a beautiful vase is the perfect accent.
Macy’s has a Kate Spade collection that has several different options ranging is style and price.
The Housewarming Gift Everyone Wants
Most housewarming gift registries and wish lists include a gift card. That’s because it allows the person to buy items that match their décor, style and need.
We mentioned the Happy Moments gift card earlier. It can be used at multiple stores and restaurants including Bed Bath & Beyond, Macy’s, The Cheesecake Factory, Red Lobster, Buffalo Wild Wings and Ulta Beauty. It’s a practical housewarming gift because your friend can use it for home furnishings, a meal and a fun night out in their new city.
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