Unusual, Unique, Traditional, and Useful Housewarming Gifts

Back in medieval times, people would give gifts of wood to heat a new home, literally housewarming gifts, which not only made the home warm but was said to banish evil spirits from the home.

Today, the giving of a gift is traditional in many cultures throughout the world to bring good luck to those who have just moved home.

Housewarming gifts can also be functional, things that are useful or needed, or the gift can be beautiful and intended to help the new place feel like a home.

If friends or family have recently moved home you are probably faced with the dilemma of what to buy for a housewarming gift.

Even if you know a person well, or are welcoming a new neighbour, it is not always easy finding the perfect home-warming gift.

And you will want to convey not only your warm wishes but that you have actually thought about the gift, and that it is something the receiver will appreciate and cherish.

So in this week’s home moving blog, you can expect to find some suggestions not only for some obvious housewarming gifts, but gifts that are more thoughtful, symbolic, or unique as well.

You may also like to read: How to Throw an Unforgettable Home Warming Party. From planning to prepping, and hosting tips to cleaning tips, this guide is invaluable if those who have moved are planning a housewarming party. Be sure to share this guide with them.

What is a Traditional Housewarming Gift?

Traditional housewarming gifts are intended to bring good wishes, good health, and prosperity to the new home and its owners.

Every country and culture has its own traditional housewarming gift ideas but here is a selection of the most popular and what the gift symbolizes.

#1 Bread

“May your house never know hunger”

#2 Salt

“May there always for flavour and spice in your life”

#3 Honey

“May you always enjoy the sweetness of life”

#4 Olive Oil

“May you be blessed with health and well-being”

#5 Rice

“May the love in your home multiply”

#6 Pineapple

“May you enjoy good cheer, warmth, and celebration”

#7 Sugar

“May your life always be filled with sweetness”

#8 Wine

“May you always have joy and never go thirsty”

#9 Houseplants

“May your home always have life”

#10 Wood

“May your home have harmony, peace, and stability”

#11 Candles

“May you always have light through the darkest times”

Traditional housewarming gifts are a safe bet if you don’t really know the recipients that well.

What is a Good Luck Housewarming Gift?

Aside from some of the traditional housewarming gifts that bestow good luck in the new home, there are also some other good luck gifts that are based on lucky symbols, plants, or animals.

#1 Elephants

Mainly associated with Eastern traditions, in Feng Shui an elephant placed facing towards a door will protect the home from bad spirits entering, whilst an Elephant is also a form of Ganesha who is the God of luck.

#2 Plants and herbs

Orchids, bamboo, aloe vera, peace lily, bonsai tree, and white sage are all believed to bring good luck to a new home.

#3 Indalo Man

In Spain, an Indalo Man is considered a symbol of good luck and protection.

#4 Crickets

A bronze or gold cricket is believed to bring a home good luck in both Western and Eastern cultures.

#5 Horseshoes

Originally hung to ward off evil spirits, horseshoes are now usually hung to bring good luck to a home.

#6 Feng Shui Crystal Wish Trees

Crystals are believed to have many different properties so you can choose a crystal tree that conveys your wish for the recipient.

#7 Buddha Statue

Bring peace, calm, and tranquility as well as good luck to the home with a Buddha statue.

#8 Wind Chimes

Wind chimes are believed to purify the air and attract peaceful spirits to a home.

#9 Dreamcatchers

A dreamcatcher is traditionally placed near a bed to promote good sleep and help avoid nightmares. Dreamcatchers are ideal to help purify negative energy in a home and are therefore considered lucky.

You may also like to read: How to Bring Good Luck and Positive Energy to a New Home. Discover the multitude of ways in which you can bestow good luck and positive energy on your new home as well as how to prepare for a positive home move and a moving day filled with good luck.

Housewarming Gift Hamper Ideas

One of the most thoughtful housewarming gifts you can give is a gift hamper.

The great thing about gift hampers is that they can be tailored to fit any budget, can be personalized easily, and show that you have put some thought and effort into the gift.

There are so many themes that your gift basket could be based upon, but here are a few suggestions:

#1 A Complete Meal Gift Basket

For example, for a couple, you might think a romantic meal for two is appropriate. So once you have decided on the menu, you would fill the basket with the ingredients to make that meal.

A Breakfast basket may be more suitable, so you could include all the ingredients for a full English breakfast for example.

How about an artisan food hamper filled with products from the local markets?

You could even include a cookbook or some recipes, napkins, and candles for the table.

#2 Gardening Gift Basket

Seeds, bulbs, hand tools, gardening gloves, a gardening book or subscription to a gardening magazine, a bird feeder, wormery, a string of garden lights, sunscreen, and hand lotion are all great gifts for the budding gardener.

#3 DIY Gift Basket

Picture hooks, screws and nails, a paint roller, paint brushes, work gloves, small hand tools like screwdrivers and pliers, a DIY manual, and some hand cleanser will come in really handy for any new homeowner.

#4 New Area Gift Basket

If the recipients have moved to a totally unfamiliar area then a gift hamper that introduces them to the region or to the local delicacies may be a great idea.

You could include a local map, a guide to local restaurants or pubs, a book of local walks or local history, an array of local takeaway menus, and a programme of events at the local theatre.

You could also include a subscription to a local newspaper or magazine. Or how about a selection of local produce such as cheeses or real ales?

And if they have moved somewhere where the weather tends to be a bit wetter then how about adding a plastic rain cape or foldable umbrella?

#5 Post-Move Relaxation Gift Hamper

After all the stress and hard work of moving home, a night of pampering could be just what the new homeowners need, so how about a basket of products so that they can pamper themselves?

It could include soaps, bath oils, moisturisers, some scented candles, a book, and towels.

Gift hampers are great because not only can you include practical presents but also fun or unique ones making it a fairly safe bet that the gift will appeal to everyone.

You may also like to read: 22 Really Useful Ways to Help a Friend Move Home. Helping before or after moving day is often the most beneficial when helping a friend move home. Here we suggest 22 ways in which you can really help and it does not involve moving any boxes or furniture.

Unusual Housewarming Gifts

What do you buy as a housewarming gift for someone who has everything?

It is fairly easy to buy a present for somebody moving into their first home, but for someone who has everything they need, the choice of gift can be really difficult.

But here are a few suggestions that may help:

#1 A Tree or Plant

A tree or specimen plant makes a great gift.

Even if the recipient does not have a garden you could give them a lemon tree for example which can be kept indoors or on a warm balcony.

A terrarium or bonsai would be ideal if they have a smaller home or are not very green-fingered.

But if they have a garden then the sky’s the limit. Fruit trees like cherry are not only beautiful when they bloom but the fruit is delicious too and it is a gift that will last for many many years.

A magnolia bush or a special rose are also great alternatives.

#2 A Sundial

A sundial makes a really unusual housewarming gift and can even be personalised with the recipient’s name. A quick look on the internet will find you plenty of great examples.

#3 Garden Ornament

From a small animal figurine to a large modern sculpture, there are plenty of designs to choose from that will complement the style of their garden.

#4 Beehive

What could be more interesting and unusual as a homewarming gift than a beehive? For around £20 you get an educational, beautiful, and planet-friendly gift, what’s not to like?

#5 Local Specialties

There may be an outstanding local bakery that could bake something that was unique to that region or a butcher who could make organic hand-made sausages.

There may be a local brewery, winery, or distillery whose products are unique to that region. A bottle of wine or whisky from the year the recipients moved into the house would be great.

#6 Antique Telescope

If the recipients have moved somewhere where there is a great view, or wild animals roam then a vintage telescope is not only useful but a beautiful addition to the home.

#7 A Scrapbook

Keeping a scrapbook or journal is an ideal way to document the renovation of the home or all the places they will visit in the new area.

Unique Housewarming Gifts

Moving on from unusual housewarming presents, we will look at some gifts that can be personalised for the recipients or are totally unique.

#1 A personalised doormat or welcome sign with the family’s name

#2 A customised portrait of the new home

#3 A personalised map of the neighbourhood or city

#4 A framed print of the home or area from the local history archives

#5 An Ariel photograph of the home or local area

#6 A set of mugs, a vase, or some crockery from a local potter

#7 Printed return address labels and address cards

#8 New house name plaque or house numbers

So, what is the ideal new home gift?

It is something that you have spent time and effort thinking about, that you have chosen with the recipient’s personality, needs, and wants in mind.

And if they are family or a close friend it should also remind them a bit of you and the happy memories you have shared and will share in the new home in the future.