Holiday Housewarming Gifts for the New Homeowner

by Best Of Hometalk

2 Materials

$20

2 Hours

Medium

Whether moving into their very first home or simply the latest of many, new homeowners always appreciate thoughtful housewarming gifts from their friends and neighbors, especially if they are into home decor DIY. Coming up with the perfect combination of practical, attractive, and pleasing to the aesthetic of the homeowner is sometimes a challenge, but thankfully the holiday season provides an ideal opportunity for seasonally-appropriate gifts. Spread some holiday cheer as you welcome people to a new home with these delightful giving ideas; and remember to bring a piece of seasonal holiday decor with you to the party so they have something to add to the tree! Extra credit to any DIY christmas ideas as well!

holiday housewarming gifts for the new homeowner

Debbie's Christmas Mantel gets us in the spirit.

Food-related gift-giving ideas are always fantastic, although be careful: if you can, check for allergies and preferences first. These DIY food kits from Williams-Sonoma are cute, but you can totally make your own, too. Does your host always ask about your pumpkin muffins, lavender shortbread, or cranberry scones? Make up a baking mix and present it in a creative container that she can keep around the house, like a chalkboard mason jar. Consider choosing a seasonally-appropriate recipe like gingerbread, sugar cookies, or a traditional recipe from your family.

Also for the kitchen, if your hosts are drinkers, wine is of course a classic holiday gift, but unless you run a winery, you're probably not making that yourself aEUR" although you could hand craft a lovely Pottery Barn-inspired wine bag or a handy sweater sleeve wine protector. How about your patented mulling spice mix, presented in a lovely muslin bag or another container? Wine charms are also a great idea, especially around the holidays, when it can be hard to keep drinks straight.

Kara's crochet beaded wine charms are a beautiful hostess gift for the holidays.

New homeowners who are just setting up on their own for the first time may be very appreciative of a thoughtful welcome basket for the kitchen, which you could fill with basic kitchen tools, spices, or other supplies. Think about the things you needed when you were setting up your very first kitchen: spatulas, whisks, ladles, wooden spoons, bottle openers, can openers, potato peelers, and other basics. You could also put together a spice basket or rack, like this magnetic rack, ideal for small kitchens.

A dining caddy made with chalkboard mason jars and an old box looks folky and sweet.

At the Picket Fence has a beautiful dining caddy that could be great for new homeowners, and you could fill it with silverware if you know your hosts don't have a matching set yet! For more holiday spirit, wrap with colorful ribbons, and remember, you can make that blackboard space bigger so you can write a little message, like a seasonal greeting.

Another option is a new home toolbox, which, trust me, people will love if they haven't had their own home before. You'd be surprised by the number of people who don't have even the most basic of tools, like a set of screwdrivers and a hammer!

If you want something a little less practical and a little more homey, consider some of the following options.

Candles are often a safe bet for housewarming gifts, although they can be a little uncreative. Thankfully, Hometalkers have your back on this one with a huge array of candle projects! Whether you want to hand-pour your handles, make personalized votives, or create rainbow dip-dyed versions, there's probably a tutorial for you.

Bed knobs and broomsticks, anyone? Not for these recycled bedsprings turned candle holders!

These tapers are sitting pretty in recycled bedspring candle holders, one of just many cool and creative projects found on Hometalk.

Homemade soaps are another great holiday gift idea. Lots of recipes are available, so don't be intimidated: if you're not quite ready to wrestle with lye, you can use soap blocks to make microwave soaps, or gel soaps with molds. Make sure to get started soon, because some soaps need time to set up and cure. For the holidays, try soaps with refreshing smells like peppermint, pine, gingerbread, and cinnamon, and make to include swirls in bright holiday colors. Seasonal soap molds are also available, including Stars of David and Menorahs for your Jewish friends as well as Santas for your Christian ones.

This rosemary-citrus goatsmilk soap made by Barb looks divine, and in small sizes like this, it's perfect for guest soaps, making it an ideal housewarming gift.

Scrubs are another fantastic holiday gift idea, if you want something else for the bathroom. You can use sugar, ground walnut shells, salt, and other exfoliating materials as a base, combined with a variety of essential oils and other ingredients. In honor of the holiday season, you might want to go for an invigorating peppermint sugar scrub, or a soft, gentle coffee body scrub. Present them in pretty reusable containers, and your hosts will have something for their bathroom to remind them of you.

How about something alive? No, don't give your friends a puppy. But do consider bonsai or a plant, like a neatly planted herb planter that's all ready to go, or a fruit tree. If you're giving something like a tree, do some research first to find out what kind of trees they'd be interested in, because a tree is a big commitment. Work with your nursery to find a tree appropriate to the climate; Meyer lemons, for example, are a fantastic housewarming gift in Berkeley and Oakland.

Gardening supplies and other gardening gifts are also handy. Again, a gardening toolkit with the basics (cultivator, bulb planter, trowel, sturdy gloves, nice clippers, kneelers, and so forth) can make a very thoughtful housewarming present. For holiday housewarming presents, consider pairing your practical garden gift with something a little less practical, like a forced bulb such as an amaryllis to grow indoors and enjoy some winter color, or a bag of bulbs to plant and enjoy in the spring.

Want to go big? We're starting to get into the realm of decor andfurniture, which can get serious. Some things to think about before you get started: what's the aesthetic of your recipient? Someone with a very modern home done up in sleek tones of chrome and white probably doesn't want a garish 12 days of Christmas coatstand (although if you see one, send me a link, because I am simultaneously amazed and horrified at the prospect). A thoughtful collector of antique furniture pieces won't appreciate a chunky modern armchair, even if you did refurbish it and reupholster it with fabric printed with her favorite animal: llamas. On the other hand, that chili pepper fanatic in your life is going to LOVE the hand-printed 'types of chili peppers' poster you bring in a festive gold frame, and it might take pride of place in the hallway.

You should also think about what your host might need. Some thoughtful furniture gifts, for example, can include a secretary desk for the entryway to collect mail and set things on, or end tables for the bedroom and living room. Large items like wardrobes, kitchen tables, desks, and beds may be things your hosts already have or would prefer to get for themselves, unless you know them very well and have a sense of what they would appreciate. They're also a bit cumbersome to bring to a housewarming party!

Handcrafted pieces speaking to your relationship with your hosts and their aesthetic can be a great choice as a holiday housewarming gift. Not only do they welcome your friends to their new home, they also serve as a holiday present, allowing you to be a little more extravagant than you might otherwise be with a housewarming gift. Take advantage of the looser standards to put together something distinctly special that your hosts will appreciate aEUR" and once you've picked it out, take advantage of some wrapping tips.

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