Do you have a suggestion for a house warming gift?

[Skywalker]

We are going to a friend's place Monday night for dinner, and it is the first time we are going to their new house so I thought I should bring something sort of "housewarmingy".

They don't drink, they don't like sweets, and she works in a candle store for a living so anything along those lines I shouldn't do.

A plant? Picture frame or something?

Have you brought something that went over really well?

I'd appreciate any ideas from you more creatives types out there, lol.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[My sister's princess]

Yankee Candle, sometimes new houses have the old owner's smell


wow guess I should have read more carefully sorry about that

My step mum gave me a plant when we moved it. I love it, one of those things that just says home

 

[golfgal]

Time might be an issue but something from here: http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/shophome.html is always good.

If not, I would bring a plant.

 

[Scurvy]

I love the Penzey's suggestion - I rarely take time to cook but I've been cooking so much more often since we stocked up on Penzey's spices! If that won't work or you don't think it would be a good fit for them, I would go with a traditional gift of a plant or bread and salt. . . maybe a themed basket of gourmet food products.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

How about a nice piece of pottery? I have always loved pottery serving dishes and would love that as a gift.

 

[Randi]

I always opt for a nice floral arrangement. It doesn't need a storage or display place, dusting, nurturing like a growing plant, and it's gone by the time you get tired of it.

I also make sure it has a vase or container with it, so the homeowner doesn't have to look for one.

 

[Snoozan]

Not sure if they're homeowners for the first time, but if you want to be practical, buy a fire extinguisher! that's what I bought my niece(and my own DS's)when they moved into their own places. I picked up a nice white one for my niece's kitchen - to blend in better.

 

[amykay9377]

I've done this a few times: When being invited over to a housewarming party where there will be food or whatnot, I will bring a dish of food (cheese tray, casserole, whatever) and give the new homeowner the dish. Make sure that the dish you give them fits their taste and style of home.

Another option is a food basket where the basket is a cooking vessel (pasta in a strainer, brownie mix in a baking pan) with what you need to make said item included (pasta, oil, spaghetti spoon, etc).

Last option, and one of my favorites (if it is a young or first time homeowner) - buy a small cleaning caddy and fill it with some various cleaning supplies and a bag of chocolate! We have all bought a house and needed to clean it, right? Well, now you can save that homeowner some $$ by buying her supplies, and then she can kick back with some candy when she's done!

For me, these all show that you know the person well enough, and it is more 'personal' than just a bottle of wine or a candle.

 

[disneymomoftwins]

I like things with the familys last initial on it. There are several things you can get, outside flags, pillows, wall hangings, coasters. Craft stores have a lot of stuff like this.

 

[shortbun]

Is it a new house or a 'new' house to them? If it's an old house but new to them, you could look for something made or authentic to the period the home was built. We recently moved and a good friend found a set of cannisters in a antique/thrift store that was perfect for the style of our home. I was thrilled. Others brought plants, bottles of wine, food baskets, gift cards to lowes and home depot, one person brought a snow globe that held a picture of our new home with the year-I really liked that too! One of my friends brought a big load of seasoned firewood as we now have two new fireplaces.
There was just no gift we did not appreciate. I'm scared I'll kill the plants but so far, so good. lol!

I forgot the garden widgit that has two clownish frogs hanging from a stick that swings in the breeze. And-another friend came and decorated the front of our home for Christmas(candy canes in the trees and a wreath on the door) because we moved on December 21st and she knew we'd never get around to it. Our neighbors must think we're amazing!!!!

 

[Aurora63]

Snuggie
Space heater
Electric blanket

They'd all make the house warm!

Sorry, my lame attempt at humor. Actually, I really like the fire extinguisher idea.

 

[marypoppinswannabe]

If the housewarming gift is given at a dinner party, I would probably go with a gift card. Can just put it in a card and give it to the host.

If you are just swinging by to see the new place or it is a "house-warming" party, then I am in total agreement with the gift of the space heater.

Another gift that I absolutely love:

Give a laundry basket with any or all of the items:
napkins
paper towels
paper plates
plastic cups
plastic silveware
toilet paper
trash bags
dryer sheets
laundry detergent
dishwasher detergent
dishsoap

 

[a1tinkfans]

We are going to a friend's place Monday night for dinner, and it is the first time we are going to their new house so I thought I should bring something sort of "housewarmingy".

They don't drink, they don't like sweets, and she works in a candle store for a living so anything along those lines I shouldn't do.

A plant? Picture frame or something?

Have you brought something that went over really well?

I'd appreciate any ideas from you more creatives types out there, lol.

Thanks for any suggestions!

OOPS, realized you said MOn night so this won't work....but perhaps a thought for others or for future....
I went online and ordered a tempered glass cutting board that YOU design (pick choices) and personalize, beautiful designs and cost was under $40. I have done it several times even for shower gifts...GREAT wow factor and so personal and people recall YOU gave it......
Sorry forgot the name of company.....but I recall putting in/search personalized cutting boards and they also do coasters, I think........
OH, just thought, TJmaxx, BBB all sell coasters that you can place PICTURES in.....like 5.99 and then IF one can get pix, especially their childhood "fun" pix that is also a great gift (that I've added to a basket I made) that goes over well.....

 

[Normangirls]

How about something to help stock the new kitchen? A nice basket with lots of basic spices and a few kitchen trinkets (dish towel, soap dispenser, salt and pepper shakers -- all a good idea if you know how the kitchen is decorated).

Sure, they may already have these things from their old place, but sometimes its nice to freshen up things.

 

[christineann]

I give bird feeders and bags of birdseed, and some my neighbors still thank me years later.

Neat idea about the fire extinguisher!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I also really like the fire extinguisher idea. It's something everyone should have but few people actually go out and buy. Just look for one that is labeled for kitchen use. It should have Halon (gas) instead of powdered chemicals that can ruin appliances and be very difficult to clean up (I worked for a fire extinguisher company when I was in college!).

I also like the idea of a themed food basket like a colander filled with pasta, sauce, olive oil, etc. Or a stock pot with ingredients for soup.

 

[dawson5]

First time home owners? what about a basic toolbox? rechargeable flashlight? carbon monoxide detector? I've also found a nice popular mechanics home repair book, had pictures on how to fix things.