Purchasing or moving into a fresh home is a major milestone in life, one definitely worth celebrating and in this blog, we will draw inspiration from classic housewarming gifts and traditions to help you invent a thoughtful, distinct gift to warm any home or heart.
Getting Started with Housewarming Gift Ideas
Housewarming parties go back to the Middle Ages when the owner of a fresh house would invite everyone who assisted with the building of the home to dine and celebrate together, in those early times before central heating, guests would bring firewood as a housewarming gift and quite literally warm the residence with a roaring fire,
We adore this history of housewarming gifts, especially the communal aspect of breaking in a fresh house and turning it into a warm, welcoming home, and although housewarming presents have shifted and modernized over the years, they still share the same goal of making a fresh house feel more like a home,
Traditional Housewarming Gifts & Their Meaning
Below are some classic housewarming gifts for inspiration and creative concepts to help you modernize them -
Wood
A timber gift traditionally represents stability, harmony, and peace, it is also a tribute to the original housewarming gift of firewood, a fresh take on this classic gift idea could be a rustic charcuterie board paired with Inox Artisans Jason Collection cheese knives or an elegant breakfast tray.
Bread
Bread was historically offered as a housewarming gift so that the new homeowners may never know hunger, to this date, a fresh loaf of bread makes a lovely gift, especially when delivered inside a colorful dutch oven and paired with a delicious home-cooked meal served with Inox Artisans Ridge flatware.
Salt & Herbs
This classic gift symbolizes adding some spice and flavor to living, we admire the artisanal salt and seasonings that leave a very lasting impact on the recievers.
Honey or Sugar
Meant to inspire new homeowners to enjoy the sweetness of life, some honey or sweet treats are a super sweet housewarming gift, package some good honey with a honey wand and maybe a few eco-friendly beeswax food storage wraps for a classically inspired yet creative housewarming gift.
Wine
Historically, a bottle of wine conveys the message: may you always have joy and never go thirsty, wine is still a very popular housewarming gift, but some cute cocktail glasses, Inox Artisans Copper Ridge bar tools, or a nice bottle of champagne with a pair of flutes can represent the same message but with a bit more festive flair.
Candle
Candles are another classic housewarming gift representing a source of light, warmth, and hope for any dark or challenging times that may lie ahead, we like the idea of pairing a nice scented candle with an elegant candle snuffer.
Curated Housewarming Gift Ideas Inspired by the Classics
The housewarming gift boxes highlighted below are a few of our top picks, they are pre-curated and showcase small-batch, artisanal products inspired by classic housewarming gifts but with a sophisticated modern twist,
This lavish Home housewarming gift set will make any new home feel more warm and inviting, you can hand-select the gifts and include a handmade table runner, a lovely candle, some delicious salted caramels, and fresh coffee,
Inspired by classic housewarming gifts that represent adding flavor and sweetness to life, you can compliment your kitchen with a kitchen gift set, in the gift box, you can include olive oil, coffee-flavored cookies, and fruit crisps, which will help stock up a bare pantry and give it some life.
As the title of this gift theme implies, the items you choose should be meant to encourage the recipients to kick back and enjoy the Comforts of Home, including items like a soothing rose clay body bar, a bar of dark chocolate, and a lovely scented candle in a reusable vessel can help the new homeowner celebrate and truly break in their new space.
The charm of these three curated housewarming gift concepts is that all you have to do is pick a theme and personalize it, giving you the freedom to arrange the details exactly how you want.
Personalized Housewarming Gifts Based on Interests
If you know the new homeowners personally, you can also draw inspiration from their specific interests and passions, for instance, if they have a green thumb, a plant or some vegetable seeds for their new garden could be a lovely way to get them even more excited about their new outdoor space, if they adore animals, you could give them a hummingbird feeder or a birdhouse for their new backyard, or a housewarming gift inspired by their pets, for those pals who love to socialize and host parties, surprise them with a fun yard game or Inox Artisans Chateau Marble serving boards, you get the idea.
Other New Home Gifts & Ideas
One incredibly mindful housewarming gift idea is some nice stationery or greetings cards with their new home address, maybe even with a sweet drawing of their new home,
Artwork can also be a unique housewarming gift, but only if you know the homeowners and their taste well, they might have plenty of blank wall space to fill, but you do not want them to feel obligated to put something on display that they do not absolutely love,
Another sweet housewarming (emphasis on the warming!) gift idea is a cozy blanket to help make their new home more warm, comfortable, and inviting.
Your Partner For all Things Gifting
We really hope this post helped spark some fun ideas for housewarming gifts because moving is such a big deal, and finding the right gift really matters, if you are still feeling stuck or just want some help picking out something unique for your friends, please feel free to message us anytime, for something truly special, you should definitely take a look at the handmade flatware and serving pieces over at Inox Artisans because their items are beautiful and make any table look amazing, so head over to their website to find a gift they will actually love and use for a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the traditional meaning of giving salt as a housewarming gift
Giving salt is a tradition that dates back centuries and symbolizes the wish that life in the new home will always have flavor and spice, it was believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits so the new homeowners could live in peace
Q2. How much should I typically spend on a housewarming gift
There is no set rule for how much to spend as it really depends on your budget and how close you are to the homeowner, a thoughtful gesture is often more important than the price tag, but generally spending between $25 and $50 is a safe range for most friends and neighbors.
Q3. Are kitchen items good gifts for someone moving into a new home
Yes, kitchen items are one of the best gifts because they are both practical and help turn a house into a functional home, high-quality items like Inox Artisans serving sets or a durable cutting board are great choices because they get used often and last for years.
Q4. What is a modern-day substitute for bringing a bottle of wine
If you want to keep in mind the festive atmosphere, consider purchasing accessories for the bar instead of wine, you may choose to buy a good quality set of bar tools or unique copper barware by Inox Artisans, by purchasing bar accessories, you provide an elegant long-term gift, in contrast to just a single bottle of wine that will be consumed.
Q5. Is it acceptable to provide a gift card as a present for a housewarming party
Certainly, a gift card is an extremely practical and thoughtful gift, especially for someone who is moving into their first home, as it gives them the ability to purchase what is needed for their home or to accommodate guests, you may wish to include a small gift along with the gift card, such as a scented candle, and/or write a handwritten note welcoming them to their new neighborhood.
Q6. What is the best time to present a gift for a housewarming party
Typically, the best time to give a gift is at the housewarming party or during the first several months after they have moved into their house, if you cannot attend the party, sending the gift directly to their new address with a congratulatory note would be a nice way to let them know you were thinking of them.
