Updated on Jan. 09, 2025
New place? Help them celebrate with a thoughtful housewarming gift. From the personal to the practical, we found ideas at every price point.
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Moving is a big deal! Whether they’re upgrading an apartment or buying a home, it’s customary to celebrate with a housewarming gift. A bottle of wine or a new plant is appreciated. But there are plenty of out-of-the-box ideas that will take your gifting status to the next level.
As a new homeowner and Taste of Home’s resident gift guide expert, I have a pretty good idea of what constitutes a wow-worthy housewarming gift. I advise sticking to items that are either practical or personal.
A practical gift will make the closing, moving or settling process a little easier. Think gourmet staples, essential tools (ideally with a fun twist) or, when all else fails, food! Personal gifts take a little more effort. You need to consider your relationship with this new homeowner. What do they like? Play into their hobbies and decorating style—or tug on their heartstrings, giving them a sentimental gift they’ll cherish.
Oh, and if they have a housewarming registry? Even better! A set list of items takes away any guesswork.
My husband and I made many Jimmy John’s runs while moving. We were too tired to cook—plus all our kitchen stuff was packed away. Gift hungry new homeowners a premade charcuterie board, like one from editor-approved Boarderie. It’s hard to go wrong with housewarming gifts with cheese, meat, dried fruit, nuts and chocolate! If they’re moving around the holidays, you can even find a festive, themed board!
My husband and I went on dozens of house tours before finding our dream abode. And the first thing we noticed at every showing? The smell. Every house has a scent—good or bad—and you can help the new homeowners define their signature fragrance with a candle warmer lamp. This cozy accessory went viral on TikTok for evenly melting candle wax and helping the scent emanate through your space. Read our full candle warmer review.
Whether it’s a sketchy stain that’s been there for a while or a new spill from a hectic morning, messes happen. Any new homeowner will appreciate a Bissell Little Green upholstery cleaner for refreshing carpets and upholstery. Our review explains how this machine is the definition of satisfying. It’s a must-add to any housewarming registry.
Product Testing Manager Annamarie Higley knows a new house means a need for new kitchen staples. “I’d been floating through life using supermarket-brand olive oil, and it wasn’t until I tried Kosterina that I realized the merits of the good stuff. I particularly love the original extra virgin olive oil,” Annamarie says. “Paired with a flaky sea salt, it’s the perfect housewarming gift. They’ll be ready to break in their kitchen immediately!”
A new home means new neighborhood critters. Help them welcome even the smallest creatures to their yard or balcony with a fun Ferris wheel hummingbird feeder. I mean, who wouldn’t enjoy watching bitty birds flit around the ruby-red nectar jars?!
If you want to gift the new homeowners with a product they will reach for every day, you can’t go wrong with the Dyson V11 cordless vacuum cleaner. I’ve been using this model for over four years, and it’s still going strong. I love all the attachments for cleaning corners and furniture, and the iconic Dyson suction power is unmatched.
It can take awhile to remember where you packed the pots and pans after a big move. Gift them a handy pizza steel that they can use to prep veggies, fries, chicken nuggets and, of course, pizza. I’ve been using mine for nearly a year and it has replaced my air fryer.
“Lounging in the backyard” can seem like a far-away goal when you have a long list of tasks to complete after closing. Give them something to look forward to with this Yellow Leaf hammock chair (or one of our other best hammocks). While pricey, the quality is unmatched. Plus, it’s portable so they can take it to the beach or park, too.
The FinaMill salt and pepper grinder is our Content Director, Nicole Doster’s, go-to housewarming present. “Everyone I’ve gifted it to is absolutely wild about it,” shares Nicole. “With the push of a button, the electric mill kicks into action to grind any spice or dried herb you load into its chamber. No more straining your wrist for freshly cracked pepper! It makes it easy (and, quite honestly, super fun) to season your food. My favorite feature is the built-in flashlight that pops on, so you can easily see what you’re seasoning—perfect for outdoor grilling. For a thoughtful twist, pair the mill with a set of gourmet spices.”
This is another splurge. But if the new homeowners haven’t found their fave new coffee shop yet, they’ll love being able to whip up cafe-style drinks with the Breville Bambino Plus espresso maker. In her review, Nicole admits she and her partner can’t live without it!
This nifty gadget is a game-changer for anyone who loves sending snail mail. A self-inking return address stamp makes sending change-of-address announcements, housewarming invitations and holiday cards a breeze. We moved into our house right before our wedding, and this was the best gift I gave myself when it was time to send thank you notes.
I’ll admit: This piece of decor isn’t for everyone. But if you know a homeowner who loves retro trends, a porch goose may just become their new BFF. I’ve had my lawn goose for over a year, and it brings me joy every dang day. Just make sure you pick out an outfit or two!
Buying a house is a marathon, not a sprint. Help them celebrate reaching the finish line with this coffee and chocolate-tasting experience. Three global coffees and three gourmet chocolate bars will add a (caffeinated) pep to their step.
“If you want to add curb appeal to a new home, nothing welcomes guests more than an old-fashioned door knocker,” says Associate Product Reviews Editor Sheri Kaz, “A door knocker may seem like a traditional relic from yesteryear, but adds a certain charm and warmth to a front door, especially if its personalized.” Pick up this engraved option in a stunning antique brass finish.
Flowers are beautiful housewarming gifts. (My favorite bouquet makes an appearance later on this list!) But for the homeowners who haven’t unpacked the vases yet, make a cheeky statement with this book-shaped vase. I love the acrylic style for a high-end look on a budget.
They’ll love expressing their creativity with this customizable tile door mat. A hexagon pattern and interchangeable tiles make it easy to spell out words or shape patterns. From a classic “hello” to retro flower prints, the options are truly endless! We tested a Letterfolk mat and were extremely impressed.
When it comes to housewarming gifts, there’s a good chance someone brings a bottle of bubbly. Keep it cool with this genius and aesthetic wine chiller. I love that you simply chill it in the fridge and then enjoy glass after glass of ice-cold vino. Cheers!
It takes time to break in a new kitchen. And the last thing they’ll want to worry about is running out of outlet space. I love my KitchenAid cordless hand mixer for whipping up cookie dough or mashing potatoes on any counter.
Even in the smallest backyard, there’s still room for a fire pit! The Solo Stove Mesa sits on a patio table and provides a smokeless flame for roasting marshmallows, providing warmth and keeping bugs at bay.
The name of this bouquet says it all. Send a “Celebration” and prepare for the compliments to roll in. BloomsyBox ranks best overall in our flower delivery testing, so you can send with confidence. Just be sure to add on a vase so they don’t need to dig through nine boxes to find one!
Trust me: They’ll be exhausted after signing hundreds of documents at closing. A Big Blanket all but guarantees sweet dreams, thanks to its 10×10-foot size and super soft fabric. I’ve been using mine for over six months, and it’s still good as new—even after washing. There’s a reason we consider it to be one of the best blankets you can buy!
Smart upgrades that work in any style of kitchen, like a universal knife block, make excellent housewarming gifts. “My mother-in-law gifted us this gem, which holds up to 14 knives of different shapes and sizes in an easy-to-use, upright block,” shares former Senior Shopping Editor Cher Checchio. “We keep it on our kitchen counter so we never have to worry about where the knives are or if they’re being stored safely. Plus, the bamboo holder is aesthetically pleasing and matches our decor, so it’ll never see the inside of a cabinet.”
On the first day in our new home, we lacked a lot of staples. Pre-empt a Costco run by showing up with this soap set. It includes hand soap, dish soap and two silicone-coated glass dispensers. Choose from one of seven luxurious scents, then read our Grove Co. review.
I’ve tested many cookie clubs, but Levain Bakery’s enormous signature cookie assortment is still my go-to for gifting. Nothing says “welcome to the neighborhood,” like whopping sweets loaded with mix-ins. They may even be better than homemade cookies.
There are two ways to approach this sweet spoon rest: Give the shape of the state they’re moving to or the state they just left. Either way, they’ll feel the love every time they step into the kitchen.
As a new homeowner, there’s no tool more necessary than a ladder. It’s your go-to for adding a fresh coat of paint, changing lightbulbs or investigating that weird noise coming from the attic. If you want to give practical housewarming gifts that they’ll use forever, this multi-position ladder can’t be beat. It converts to multiple configurations for any task.
Did the previous owners have an affinity for raw fish and stinky cheeses? Banish even the most pungent odors with this cute mushroom-shaped fridge deodorizer. He’s a fun guy to have around!
If they’re closing around the holidays, housewarming gifts like a personalized Christmas ornament are a special touch. I love this simple key and address tag option, which is available in brass or silver.
Christen their new kitchen with a set of darling glasses, like this tumbler set from The Pioneer Woman. Available in blue, purple or clear, tumblers are the ideal housewarming gifts for the person who watches a little too much Fixer Upper. Bonus points if you show up with some homemade lemonade.
As an apartment dweller, I did not need a set of gardening tools. But as a new homeowner, I’m eager to dig in—literally! This all-in-one garden tool set features a garden fork, cultivator, weeder and trowels, all expertly stowed in a folding seat organizer.
This housewarming basket says “congratulations” in the cutest way, whether you’re a realtor gifting to a client or a far-away friend looking to send love directly to their door. It features an engraved cheese board, personalized dish towel, engraved serving spoons and a gift tag.
While it’s perhaps not the most exciting gift, an air purifier can make a huge difference in the air quality in a new home. This one is especially adept at removing allergens from the surrounding air, filtering out 99.97% of all particles.
Housewarming gifts celebrate a major life event—moving into a new home—and are meant to help the homeowner settle in. Common gifts include home decor, small kitchen appliances, or useful tools to help turn a house into a home. Wall art, DIY tools and cozy items like candles or blankets also make thoughtful choices.
It depends on the situation. If the homeowner has specifically said no gifts, it’s polite to respect that. However, if they are hosting a housewarming party and providing food and drinks, it’s typically expected to bring a small gift. If you’re unsure, asking the host what they prefer is perfectly fine.
Giving a gift card or cash is an acceptable and practical housewarming gift today. It’s no longer considered tacky and can be a great way to let the homeowner pick out something they need. If unsure, you can always check with the host or guests to gauge what’s expected.
