Make friends and family feel at home with these thoughtful gifts
Moving into a new home is a stressful process, so it can take some time to feel comfortable. Giving a loved one a housewarming gift when they move into a new apartment or house can help ease the transition and make the space feel more like their own.
However, choosing the right housewarming gift can be tricky. A thoughtful gift for a cousin who’s moving into their first apartment may not make as much sense for a friend transitioning to a bigger house. You generally can’t go wrong with practical gifts they can use around the new place, but personalized items often do a better job of letting your loved ones know you’re thinking of them as they get settled into their new home.
Here are some tips for finding the perfect item for loved ones who’ve just moved — and if you’re still not sure, check out the best housewarming gifts you can find for apartment dwellers and new homeowners alike.
How to choose a housewarming gift
Consider what you would want to receive
The golden rule can go a long way when shopping for a housewarming gift — think about what you might like to receive as a gift when moving into a new place. Maybe you would appreciate something that would make life easier in the kitchen, such as an electric kettle or storage containers that maximize space. Perhaps a set of bath bombs that help you relax at the end of the long day of unpacking would top your list. If you come up with a gift that you think would make your day, chances are your friends or relatives would enjoy it too.
Consider their life situation
Not everyone who’s moving into a new home has the same needs. For example, those living on their own for the first time almost certainly have a greater need for practical basics, such as bed sheets or a flatware set. On the other hand, loved ones moving from one house to another likely have all the essentials on hand and instead prefer thoughtful home decor items like a new piece of artwork or a gnome for the garden.
Consider their interests
Just like when you shop for a birthday or holiday gift, it helps to consider your loved one’s interests when choosing a housewarming gift. For example, if your friend loves cooking and entertaining, a new appliance like a sous vide machine may encourage them to try new recipes. A family member who enjoys bird-watching would love a bird feeder for their yard, or you might find home decor items that celebrate your loved one’s favorite sports team or movies.
Consider your shared memories
If you’re completely stumped on what to get your loved one, you can’t go wrong with something that makes them think of you and the time you’ve spent together. A photo album that you’ve added some cherished photos to or a picture frame with a special snapshot helps your friend or relative decorate their new place with some of your favorite shared memories.
Housewarming gifts for those just starting out
A loved one moving into their first apartment and living on their own for the first time likely won’t have all the basics they need to make their home functional and comfortable. Receiving practical items is welcomed so they can save their money for decor items that make their new place feel like home.
- Cooking basics like a cookware set or mixing bowls
- Dining essentials like dinnerware and drinking glasses
- A coffee maker to help them save money on their caffeine habit
- A robot vacuum to keep their new place clean
- Towel sets for the bathroom
- A versatile toaster oven for quick meals
Housewarming gifts for those changing homes
Practical gifts can also be a thoughtful option for those moving from one house to another, but your loved one probably already has these items. Of course, if you know they’re looking to upgrade an item they already have, such as a microwave, that can be a suitable gift. Otherwise, you’re better off sticking to home decor items that can help give their home a more personal and comfortable vibe.
- A personalized doormat for their front door
- A vase to decorate an entryway table
- Coasters to protect their furniture
- An address sign for their front yard
- Scented candles to give their new home an inviting aroma
- A cozy throw to cuddle under on movie night
Best housewarming gifts
NutriChef Mixology Bartender 15-Piece Cocktail Shaker Set
A comprehensive bar set like this one makes an excellent housewarming gift for a loved one who enjoys entertaining and playing amateur mixologist. The tools are all durable stainless steel and are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. The set also comes with a recipe book for cocktail ideas.
Sold by Amazon
Keurig K-Classic Single-Serve Coffee Maker
This single-serve pod coffee maker is a handy gift for someone moving into their first apartment. It is easy to use and has an auto-off feature that turns it off after two hours without use. It has a small footprint, so it won’t take up much counter space in a small kitchen.
Chanasya Faux Fur Throw Blanket
Soft and cozy, this throw can add striking texture to the back of a sofa or living room chair. It’s made of microfiber polyester, so it’s machine-washable and easy to care for. It’s available in 20 colors and multiple sizes.
Sold by Amazon
Stronglo Wooden Seasonal Holiday Welcome Sign
This adorable welcome sign is made of wood and mounts easily to any front door. For added fun, it comes with 14 interchangeable panels to celebrate various holidays and seasons throughout the year. It’s decorated with a linen bow and faux flowers for a charming rustic look.
Sold by Amazon
If your friends or family members love to try out the most popular kitchen gadgets, this seven-in-one appliance is a versatile choice. It works as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, and more. The 6-quart size works well for families or entertaining.
Sold by Amazon, Home Depot, and Macy’s
Help your loved one’s furry friend feel at home in their new space with this durable, anti-skid pet bowl. It has a stainless steel interior that prevents bacteria growth and a fun dog-inspired pattern on the exterior. It is available in multiple sizes and is dishwasher-safe.
With a large, high-resolution display, this photo frame can showcase your loved one’s favorite family photos in their new home. It is easy to set up and allows you to share photos and videos with the frame through the connected app. It also comes with a remote to scroll through the images.
Sold by Amazon
Your friends or relatives will appreciate this lovely artwork depicting their home state. It features a colorful illustration and poem celebrating the area’s landscape, animals, and plants. You can choose a framed option so it’s ready to hang on the wall when you get it, or purchase it unframed and frame it yourself.
Sold by Uncommon Goods
Gibson Home Rockaway 12-Piece Dinnerware Set
This simple but sturdy dinnerware set can serve four people, making it a practical choice for those moving into their first apartment. It includes dinner plates, dessert plates, and bowls that are dishwasher- and microwave-safe. You can choose from nine colors.
Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
AeroGarden Bounty Basic Indoor Garden
For a friend or family member who doesn’t have space for an outdoor garden, this indoor garden makes it easy to grow herbs, veggies, and flowers at home. It can fit up to nine different plants at a time and comes with a 30-watt LED grow light to help your plants grow quickly. It has a vacation mode to keep plants thriving even when there’s no one around to care for them.
Sold by Amazon
Ninja AF101 Four-Quart Air Fryer
Help that friend or loved one who’s always busy get a hot meal on the table a little faster with this air fryer. It takes just three minutes to preheat and can air fry, roast, bake, reheat, and dehydrate. The basket is large enough to hold up to 2 pounds of food.
Sold by Amazon, Kohl’s, and Macy’s
Address America Boardwalk Customized Address Yard Sign
This personalized address sign features an elegant floral motif that can dress up any house. It includes a matching black metal post to hang the sign from, so you can place it anywhere in the yard. The numbers are reflective, making them visible even at night.
KitchenAid Classic Mixing Bowls
This set of three plastic mixing bowls is highly durable and easy to clean. The bowls have a non-slip base to keep them stable during mixing and pour spouts to easily transfer ingredients without making a mess. They’re available in multiple colors.
Sold by Amazon
Rivet Westline Modern Hand-Painted Stoneware Vase
This simple stoneware vase makes a lovely addition to a home with contemporary decor. Its design features a striped and a speckled portion and is available in three hand-painted color options. It measures just under 8.5 inches, so it’s a versatile mid-size option that can fit in many spaces.
Sold by Amazon
Toscana Circo Cheese Board with Cheese Tools
This compact cheese board is a classy choice for new homeowners who love to entertain. It is made of durable hardwood and swivels open to reveal the tools. You get a full-tang cheese plane, knife/spreader, curved knife, and a sharp knife for hard cheese, all of which are made of stainless steel.
Sold by Amazon
Help the grill master in your life feel more at home in their new yard with this durable grill set. The tools are made of stainless steel and have a balanced weight in hand for greater control. In addition to basic tools like a spatula and tongs, it includes a digital temperature fork to ensure your food is always cooked to the right temperature.
This fun record-shaped doormat is made of durable polyester and rubber, meaning it can hold up to heavy foot traffic. You can customize it with your loved one’s name and a custom phrase to serve as the album title. Best of all, it’s easy to clean with a sponge and warm water.
Sold by Uncommon Goods
Libbey Assorted Craft Brews Beer Drinkware Set
This assorted glass set makes an excellent housewarming gift for someone who enjoys craft beer. It comes with six glasses, including a classic pilsner glass, an English pub glass, and a stout glass, all of which are made of lead-free glass. The glasses are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
Sold by Amazon
Ooni Fyra 12 Wood Pellet Pizza Oven
Your friend or family member can get the most out of their new backyard entertaining space with this portable pizza oven. It can reach over 900°F in just 15 minutes, so pizzas only take a minute to cook. It runs on wood pellets, meaning the finished product has an authentic wood-fired flavor.
Sold by Ooni
If your friend has moved away from their hometown, make their new house feel more familiar with a candle that reminds them of their native state. These candles are hand-poured, made of soy wax, and scented with fragrances inspired by conversations with locals. They’re made in the USA.
Sold by Uncommon Goods
Schmécké 28-Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler
Any wine enthusiast will appreciate receiving this advanced wine fridge for their new home. It has a double-paned lockable glass door that helps prevent UV light from passing through and damaging the wine. Its user-friendly touch control makes it simple to adjust the temperature, and the shelves are adjustable to fit most bottle sizes.
Sold by Amazon
Pure Nature Lux Spa Bath Bombs Gift Set
If the stress of their move has taken its toll on your friend, they’re sure to love this relaxing bath bombs set. It includes six extra-large bath bombs in delightful scents, including vanilla and grapefruit. The bombs include soothing shea butter, cocoa butter, and vitamin E to hydrate and nourish the skin and are fully vegan.
Sold by Amazon
If you’re really stuck on what to get your loved one for their new home, you can’t go wrong with an Amazon gift card. Since Amazon sells such a wide range of home goods, your friend or family member can find almost anything they might need — and you won’t have to worry about buying them something they already have.
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Jennifer Blair writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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