It’s stressful to buy and sell a house. Not only is there a lot of red tape and big emotions to navigate, but there are also the physical demands of packing and unpacking. We think the best gifts for new homeowners are ones that will reduce their anxiety, such as a bundle of spa products. Or give them something that will make life easier for them. Maybe that means watching the kids so they can focus on the house or offering to make food so they don’t have to worry about what’s for dinner after a full day of unpacking. For first-time homeowners, we recommend going with gifts that are functional. Especially if they’re transitioning from an apartment to a house, they might need items for the house or yard that weren’t necessary when they were living in a smaller space. For any new homeowner, giving a personalized gift is always a smart idea. It shows that you took extra care to order something specifically for them. Our overall top pick for the best gift for new homeowners is a custom welcome door sign from Wooden Decor for Home on Etsy. Select the wood finish and letter colors that you think will best complement their new home, and it will be a gift they will treasure forever. Here are the best gifts for new homeowners. Keep in Mind: Color options are limited to red, white, and two shades of blue. The large baking dish size costs more than $80. Price at time of publish: From $45 Keep in Mind: These tools are designed for normal household work, not major renovation projects. Cordless screwdriver only has a one-year limited warranty. This set offers basic supplies for a number of projects. In particular, we like that it comes with nails, picture hooks, screws, and anchors so that new homeowners can hang wall art and get their new place feeling like home in no time. Having a cordless screwdriver with several bits feels like an upgrade. It will certainly come in handy when assembling shoe racks, bookshelves, or closet storage pieces. Other nice-to-have extras you don’t always see in a basic toolkit are the putty knife, utility knife, and clamps. These will all be important when it comes time to paint, remove wallpaper, or tackle any DIY home project. Price at time of publish: $47 Keep in Mind: They have to download the Ring app on a mobile device. They need WiFi enabled to use this video doorbell. Price at time of publish: $100 Keep in Mind: At a height of 6.8 inches, it’s intended for outdoor tabletop use only. You can burn wood in it, but pellets work better with this smaller design. Price at time of publish: $85 Keep in Mind: It’s rated for ages seven and up. While preschoolers might like to play with the burritos, we agree it’s best for elementary-age kids and above. It does require throwing objects around the room. So be mindful of breakables within reach. Price at time of publish: $25 Keep in Mind: This piece might not suit their style. Allow extra time when ordering a custom piece. This gift can be completely customized. You select what size you want and pick the color of the background and the lettering. Sizes range from 8 to 16 inches in diameter. Background finishes come in four wood finishes and four paint colors. Then you can opt for a bow and greenery or leave them off for a more minimalist look. Price at time of publish: $20 Keep in Mind: You can only add dinner rolls if you select the broccoli cheddar soup. It’s more expensive than some other housewarming care packages. Price at time of publish: $85 Keep in Mind: You don’t get to select what items go into the assortment. This is not a gluten-free food item. Price at time of publish: $50 Keep in Mind: It is not a big house plant, measuring 9–15 inches tall including the pot. It doesn’t have a braided trunk, as many larger money trees do. Price at time of publish: $49 Keep in Mind: You need to know the exact location and address of the home to order this print. To have it printed and framed costs extra. Price at time of publish: $25 Keep in Mind: It’s not a big rug. It measures 18 x 30 inches. It might not be a good fit for a modern style home. Price at time of publish: $13 Keep in Mind: Personalization costs an extra $13. It is hand wash only. For an extra special touch throw in local cheeses from the farmer’s market. Or pick out charcuterie favorites that you can bundle together. Wrap it up in a gift box or bring it to their housewarming party already dressed with appetizers or a charcuterie spread. They’ll love that you brought a dish to share on a platter they get to treasure forever. Price at time of publish: $59 Keep in Mind: It has a 5-pound capacity. The max temperature is 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Price at time of publish: $84 Keep in Mind: The feeder is only about 4.5 inches wide and 5.35 inches tall. It doesn’t come with hummingbird food. Price at time of publish: $45 Keep in Mind: They will need a coffee grinder if you select the whole bean option. Coffee preferences differ. You may want to find out ahead of time if they prefer a light, medium, or dark roast. Price at time of publish: From $65 for three months Keep in Mind: It costs a little more if you opt for the one-time purchase versus an ongoing subscription. The cured meats are the same each month. Price at time of publish: $25 for a month Keep in Mind: It is not champagne. It uses California-grown grapes to make wine infused with bubbled water. It’s got a low ABV but is not an alcohol-free beverage. Price at time of publish: From $54 for three bottles Keep in Mind: If the wifi goes out, the device won’t be able to send video or audio. It is stationary. The camera doesn’t rotate around the room. Price at time of publish: $40 Keep in Mind: It’s a 7-ounce candle, so it’s not the most budget-friendly option for its size. Candles are an easy go-to gift, but not a unique idea. Price at time of publish: $27 Keep in Mind: There is only one of each item so this would be a great option for a single homeowner. Shipping costs $13 within the U.S. Price at time of publish: $65 Keep in Mind: People without a connection to New York or photography may not appreciate the gesture. It was originally published in 2013 Price at time of publish: $30 Keep in Mind: Some designs are more suitable for children’s rooms than living rooms. The Big One is the name of the brand, but it is the size of an average throw blanket. Price at time of publish: $10 Keep in Mind: People might not be familiar with the game, but it’s easy to learn. It doesn’t come in other wood finishes. Price at time of pubish: $72 Keep in Mind: It weighs 10 pounds and assembly is required. It only holds up to 50 pounds. Price at time of publish: $70 Keep in Mind: This set is intended for light garden work. Over time the pattern on the garden tools will fade. Price at time of publish: $37 Keep in Mind: The bigger size options cost more. Expect it to take 1-2 weeks to make the sign and ship it to you. Price at time of publish: From $48 Keep in Mind: The letters are not painted on the sign. The letters are vinyl. Expect it to take 1-2 weeks to make the sign and ship it to you. Price at time of publish: From $16 Keep in Mind: This won’t work for homeowners who don’t share a last name. The stamp prints a 1.85 x .65-inch return address, but you could pay extra for a larger stamp. Price at time of publish: From $13 Keep in Mind: Flat note cards are the default choice, but you can also get them as folded cards for no extra charge. Order early. It takes a week or two to receive personalized products. Price at time of publish: $24 Keep in Mind: It comes overstuffed, so they will want to adjust it to their preference. The cover is machine washable but must be dried on low heat or it will shrink. Price at time of publish: $86
What to Know About Gifts for New Homeowners Before Shopping
Price
According to Shadow Breeze, most people spend an average of $25–$49 on the best gifts for new homeowners. Although 22% of gifts were in the $50–$99 range, and 20% of gifts were below $25. Housewarming gifts are really about the thought, so spend an amount that you’re comfortable with.
Practicality
Part of the moving process usually involves getting rid of unwanted or unused items, so you don’t want to bring clutter back into their new house. We love gift baskets or food and beverage gifts that can be enjoyed and then they’re gone. Those types of gifts don’t take up any extra space in the house in the long run. If you do want to gift them something with some staying power, think functional. Garden tools, kitchen gear, and family games are more likely to get used over and over again versus a decorative vase or other non-essential items.
Home Style and Size
Another important factor to consider is the style and size of their new home. It wouldn’t feel right to bring a handcrafted rustic sign to their housewarming party at an ultra-modern minimalist home. Also, if the new homeowners are downsizing (hello, empty nesters!), you don’t want to bring them a big bundle of goodies when they’ve just pared down their belongings from a previous home. Overall, it’s best to think about what their needs are and how you can best support them.
Your Questions, Answered
How much should you spend on a housewarming gift?
Generally speaking, most people spend an average of $25–$50 on housewarming gifts. However, it depends greatly on your budget and relationship with the new homeowners. If they are close friends or relatives, such as a best friend or a sibling, you may want to spend more than $50. If the new homeowners are a neighbor, co-workers, or new friends, spending $10–$20 with a nice card is more than adequate. If budget is a concern, but you still want to offer something thoughtful, opt for a kind gesture. Bring over a baked good, help them pack, or lend them some old storage totes you have in the basement. There are plenty of ways to offer a helping hand without spending any money.
How many gifts should you purchase for a new homeowner?
One gift is enough, but if you want to gift a few items, consider uniting them around a theme. For example, opt for a nice bottle of wine and a set of wine glasses or a charcuterie board with a variety of meats and cheeses. One exception is if they host a housewarming party and you’ve already sent them a gift, you may want to pick up something simple, such as a box of cookies from a local bakery, so you don’t show up to the party empty-handed.
Who We Are
Megan Boettcher is a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens, writing about a variety of topics including home design, holiday crafts, and more. To make this list, she researched home buying and moving trends as well as gift-giving etiquette.
