The Only Housewarming Gift Guide You Need

The Unspoken Rules of Housewarming Gifts

When someone invites you to see their new place, bringing a gift is a nice gesture. But there's an art to it. The best housewarming gifts are things the person needs but hasn't gotten around to buying yet — practical items that still feel special.

Always Welcome

These gifts work in virtually any home, for any person:

Food and drink

• A nice bottle of wine or spirits — Find out what they drink first. A bottle of champagne is always safe.
• A local bakery box — Pastries, bread, or cookies from a well-regarded bakery nearby.
• A quality olive oil — Sounds random, but a really good olive oil elevates everyday cooking and most people buy the cheap stuff.

For the home

• A potted plant — Something low-maintenance like a snake plant or pothos. Instant life in any room.
• A scented candle — Stick to universally pleasant scents: cedar, fig, vanilla, or clean linen.
• A nice kitchen towel set — Linen or Turkish cotton. Everyone needs more kitchen towels.

If You Know Them Well

When you know the person's taste, you can get more specific:

• A custom doormat — Their surname, their dog's face, or something funny. Just make sure it fits their vibe.
• A coffee subscription — Three months of freshly roasted beans from a local roaster.
• A Bluetooth speaker — If they don't already have one, a small portable speaker is used daily.
• Artwork or a print — Only if you genuinely know their taste. Otherwise, skip it.

What to Avoid

Be honest — have you ever been excited to receive any of these?

• Generic photo frames — They'll feel obligated to fill them.
• Decorative items in your taste — Their home, their aesthetic.
• Novelty kitchen gadgets — Avocado slicers, banana hangers, and the like end up in the junk drawer.

The Best Move: Ask

Seriously. Ask them what they need. Better yet, check if they've got a wishlist on WishBook. New homeowners always have a running list of things they need — you might as well get them something from it.