Did you know that this time of the year is the most common for moving into a new home? For one, children are out of school, so there’s no disruption to the school year. It’s also a popular time for those starting college to move closer to their college of choice or for recent graduates to move for a new job.
With so much moving going on, gifts for the new home are bound to be in big demand! In a previous blog, we explored the history of housewarming gifts and highlighted some of our top picks.
In this article, we look at traditional gifts and their symbolic meanings. Join us as we explore these traditions and present artisan gift ideas for the new home.
Bread
So that this house may never know hunger…
Sundance flatware collection and butter knives
🍞🔪Gift idea: An artisan loaf of bread and a set of handcrafted butter knives will be a welcome gift.
However, according to Japanese folklore and in many cultures, a knife is a symbol of cutting ties with someone and can be a sign of bad luck or broken friendships. Over the years, this has created the coin tradition. To remove any negative symbolism, the person giving the knife (or knives) includes a coin with the gift. The recipient of the gift then gives the coin to the gift-giver, essentially buying back the gift with the coin so it becomes more of a transaction than a gift exchange. This is said to remove any bad luck that might be associated with the knife or knife set.
If you’re hesitant about giving your friends or family butter knives for housewarming gifts, you can always include a coin. We should also mention that our butter knife/cheese spreader sets are technically not knives. Each has been designed with an unsharpened, round edge, which makes them ideal for spreading butter, cream cheese, jams, and honey.
A Jason butter knife/cheese spreader 4 pc. set will create lasting Sunday brunch memories with family and friends.
Candles
So that this house will always have light…
Blossom marble tea light holders
🕯️Gift idea: A set of handcrafted marble tea light holders and tea lights. For both ambience and efficient backup lighting, consider battery-powered LED tealights to go in your candle holders.
Tapered candles are great housewarming gifts, but have you ever considered tealights? Tealights are very versatile, as they can be used for lighting or for heating scented oil. One of the benefits of using tealights is that they won’t drip candle wax on your table. They add a gentle, low level of light to a table for two.
Each set of marble tea light holders includes one black and one white marble candle holder. Handcrafted from Agra marble, sourced in quarries found near the Taj Mahal, each set includes variations in hues and veining, so each candle holder is a one-of-a-kind piece for their new home.
Sugar
So that life shall always have sweetness…
🥣 Gift idea: A 4-piece set of sugar spoons and an assortment of sugars. From super fine Caster sugar to crunchy Demerara sugar and all the Gourmet finishing sugars, you’ll have plenty of sugars to choose from. If you know your friend loves vanilla sugar, why not make them a batch? This vanilla sugar recipe from our friends at Pantry to Table only takes 5 minutes.
Spoons symbolize a prosperous future, filled with abundance and good fortune. So, artisan-crafted sugar spoons are truly meaningful housewarming gifts.
Our handmade sugar spoons have rounded bowls, perfect for adding sugar to coffee or tea. It’s a gift they’ll remember each time they enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. What’s more, these spoon sets are handy for serving other things, like dessert toppings at an ice cream bar or marshmallows at a hot chocolate station.
Salt
So that life may always have flavor…
Photo credit: Pantry to Table
Salerno Marble Salt Cellar with Lid
🧂Gift idea: A handmade marble salt cellar with lid, with flavored salts or a salt-themed cookbook, is an ideal housewarming gift for friends or loved ones who love to experiment with different seasonings in the kitchen.
Handcrafted from high-quality white marble, our salt cellar features a lid that keeps salt fresh. Home chefs can keep it handy while cooking to easily add a pinch of salt to their dishes or place it directly on the dining table. This versatile marble salt cellar can also be used for various seasonings, spices, and herbs. Its compact size and elegant design make it an ideal container for holding jewelry as well.
…and for easy good luck…
On our search for traditional housewarming gifts, we did come across a unique tradition. It seems Koreans often give toilet paper and soap as gifts for the new homeowners. The toilet roll symbolizes “easy” good luck, as it rolls out effortlessly, and soap suds and bubbles stand for growing happiness.
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We hope you’ve enjoyed this look at traditional housewarming gifts. We invite you to browse our selection of handcrafted flatware sets, cheese knives, cake serving sets, and other unique silverware pieces. We know you’ll find the perfect gift!
And if you're about to move into a new home, we want to extend our heartfelt congratulations! As you unpack and settle in, may you find joy in every corner and create lasting memories. We wish you countless blessings on this exciting journey!
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