It’s often said that moving house is one of the most stressful experiences one can go through. But in my book, it can also be one of the most exciting and refreshing. Most of us know the feeling of moving home – in my case all too well!
I suppose my own experience makes me even more empathetic and excited when close family or friends move home. In the last year, I’ve had the pleasure of attending 3 house warming parties, all of which have been really lovely.
Much as I love celebrating a loved one’s new home with them, deciding what house warming gift to give isn’t always easy. I tend to overthink gift ideas a little too much, so recently I’ve gone for simple and cute over useful and practical. I actually think it’s sometimes better to give a gift that can be enjoyed in the moment – more in keeping with actually celebrating the house move – rather than a more practical gift such as a toaster or a kettle!
To give you some inspiration, here are a few of my top house warming gift ideas. And remember that a house warming gift doesn’t always have to be given at an actual house-warming party!
Take them out for lunch
It might not be a ‘gift’ per se, but taking your friend or relative out to lunch to congratulate them can be a lovely gesture. Pick their favourite restaurant and spend the afternoon chatting. Sometimes, the best way to celebrate something special is by just spending some quality time together. Or, if you live too far away to treat them for lunch, send a gift card so she can go out and celebrate with whomever she wants to.
Chocolate!
Simple, but yet timelessly effective – chocolate is often my go-to when it comes to any gift, not just a house warming one. Chocolate is something that resonates with most of us as particularly self-indulgent and rewarding. As long as it’s quality chocolate of course!
Chocolate hampers are my current favourite. The word hamper in itself creates a buzz in my mind, so what better hamper to give than one filled with sumptuous chocolaty treats?
You can’t go wrong with jewellery
Well, as long as you know her taste, that is! Whether she loves pretty pieces, like pearl drop earrings, or prefers jewellery that stands out, you can find her something. It’s just a case of shopping around until you see something that you know she’ll love.
How about some pampering?
How about treating your friend or relative to a day of pampering at a local spa? What better what to celebrate than to spend the day getting massages, drinking champagne, and sitting around the pool? You could even have a relaxing lunch or perhaps an afternoon tea? If she’s not a spa fan, how about inviting her to get her nails done instead? Or maybe her hair styled?
Alternatively, you can create a personalized spa kit if you can’t go together. Purchase pampering essentials, such as a humidifier, essentials oils, bath bombs, sheet masks, and a variety of tea blends for relaxation and rejuvenation. Consider getting smudging tools with set of white sage smudge sticks that your friend can use for meditation and for blessing her new home. Smudge sticks are used for cleansing, purifying, and inviting positive energy to oneself and to a place. They make for excellent gifts for a housewarming event.
Send some flowers and a bottle of bubbly
If you want to help your friend or relative celebrate their house move with house warming gifts but you live far away from each other, don’t worry. You can still help them to mark the occasion. Arrange to have a beautiful bunch of flowers sent with a bottle of bubbly and a congratulations card. You may not be able to celebrate in person, but remember, when it comes to house warming gifts, it’s the thought that counts!
Try unique home decor or feastware
Novelty or unique home decors that can double as actual kitchenware can be a great housewarming gift. Choose something that they will really like! Additional points for something that they can actually use, not just for decor.
For example, you can purchase a lovely set of medieval feastware for your friend who watches too many medieval-fantasy shows and enjoys some live-action role-playing. It can be a great decor for their medieval-era-themed man cave, or they can even choose to use it every day. Red wine served in a goblet? Terrific!
There are tons of other themed kitchenware or decor that you can choose from. The key is knowing what they actually enjoy. Surely, they would feel like you think more about them as you took the time to find a unique gift when you could have simply bought them regular houseware.
Hopefully, these ideas will inspire you to help your friend or relative celebrate her house move in a memorable way. Take these ideas on board and I guarantee you won’t go wrong.
What are your favourite house warming gifts?
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