Today I’m sharing 17 great housewarming gift ideas. Whether you’re looking for a cute gift for a relative who’s just moved house, or fun gift ideas for a housewarming party, this post is packed with options. So keep reading to learn some of the history behind housewarming traditions, and hear my suggestions.
What is a Housewarming?
The history of housewarming dates back to Medieval Europe. Back then, people would invite guests into their new home, who would often bring firewood to burn, so they could literally warm the house. This was also thought to ward off evil spirits as well as encouraging prosperity, so it was a great excuse for a gathering!
If you’re a fan of the Outlander series, there’s a scene in, “Drums of Autumn”, (Or season 4 of the TV show), where they perform a Gaelic ritual to bless the hearth. A piece of iron is buried under the hearth stone, for protection and prosperity. As soon as I read this scene, I immediately thought it sounded like an early example of a housewarming.
Traditional Housewarming Gift Ideas
Originally, guests would bring firewood to the housewarming, or if their circumstances allowed, they’d bring gifts of food (especially bread and salt), drinks (wine was most popular), fruit (Pomegranates to encourage fertility, or pineapples for wealth), or cloth, to promote positivity for the new occupants.
There’s no hard and fast rule that says what you must bring, but my Scottish mum packed me off to my first housewarming party, twenty years ago with a piece of coal (to warm the hearth), a bottle of wine and a freshly baked loaf of bread, for prosperity.
Modern Gift Ideas for a Housewarming Party
Modern twists on the traditional food gifts could include things like taking a casserole in a slow cooker to give to the hosts to keep, a fruit and veg subscription service, or even a bread maker, and your favourite recipes. Alongside a bottle of wine, why not consider a personalised wine glass, so the host will think of you every time they use the glass in the future?
If you want to provide a “fabric” based gift, you could choose a blanket or new slippers for the household, though decorative pieces like Crib of Art wall art can also make memorable and personal housewarming gifts.
Soft Toys Make Great Housewarming Gifts
When I moved in with my then partner, we threw a housewarming party and my friend bought us “his and hers” soft toys. They were large wild boars, and we called them Bob and Bella. We absolutely loved them! When I was pregnant, my then partner bought a baby four, to join the family – we called him Norbert – or Bert for short. They lived on the sofa for almost a decade, before the dogs tried to eat them.
When my cousin got engaged and bought a house recently, and I’ve been looking for a similar gift for the happy couple. Teddyway soft toys have some brilliant options, and their products meet all European Union security standards and requirements.
Their plush toys are filled with 100% silicone fibre balls, which not only retain their shape, but also have anti-allergic properties, making them ideal, even for loved ones with allergies. The above penguin really caught my eye, as my cousin is a big penguin fan. Can you see two of these sat on the sofa of a Thirty-something professional couple?
A Great Cookbook can be the Perfect Housewarming Gift
If you want to give something with a semi traditional theme, why not opt for a good cookbook. If it’s your child moving out, why not create a home made cook book, packed with those family recipes they love the most? My late mum’s lentil soup recipes is one of my most prized possessions!
Wax Melts and a Warmer to Help Their new Place Smell Like Home
When I moved back into my late parents’ home, the first thing I did was plug in my wax warmers, and put in my favourite wax melts, to help banish the musty smell. I’ve gifted at least 5 warmers, and wax melts in the past decade, and they are always very well received. My Auntie has moved twice since I gifted her one, and she still always has it on.
Safety First With Electric Candles
While Housewarming gifts were traditionally wood to get the fire going, candles were also a well received gift. Nowadays, they aren’t used as much for light or warmth. Especially by households with young children. So if you want to gift something of this nature, why not opt for electric candles, so the recipient can enjoy the feeling of candlelight, without the risks.
Final Thoughts on Housewarming Gift Ideas
So there you have it – Fifteen gift ideas for a housewarming party! Did you miss some? In case you did, here’s the list in full – starting with the traditional options: a log for the fire, bread, salt, pomegranates, pineapples, cloth, coal, slow cooker, a fruit and veg subscription service, a bread maker, wine glasses, a blanket, slippers, soft toys, a cook book, wax melts and a warmer, and electric candles. Finally, let me know in the comments if you have any other gift ideas for a housewarming.
