Um, I like the idea of coming up with new ideas for housewarming gifts. But if a guest brought me a roll of toilet paper? Bleh. What do you do with it? Immediately excuse yourself to go put it away in the bathroom, or let it sit on your kitchen counter? Plus the trophy thing - I like that idea for something else, like maybe winning your fantasy football league, but it's just a waste as a house warming gift, since they probably tossed some old trophies when they packed for that move. I think the full meal isn't a bad idea. So that my post isn't all negative, I'll add a couple of gifts that I've picked out for others that I think have gone to good use: small carved bowl (either used in decor to hold keys and misc, or for snacks when entertaining) and local pottery. Things that they would like, but probably not buy themselves. One thing I want to start doing for gifts is the "guestbook" - a nice blank book for their future house guest to write a little note during/after their stay. I read that online and think it's a great idea!

I have to agree with Melissa_B. If someone brought be a spray-painted trophy as a housewarming gift, I'd probably toss it. I like the idea of a full meal, unless you're going to a housewarming party (assuming it's not a potluck). A mix CD would be good. Truth be told, I'd love a bottle of wine or a 6-pack of a favorite beer. To this day, one of my favorite engagement gifts was a few bottles of craft beer with names that made the givers think of us. Thoughtful and delicious.

>> "the next big thing that will make you stand out from your friends and get you invited back time and time again"

I have the very best suggestion of all: GENUINE FRIENDSHIP.

I think it's best to stick with consumable items (ie, food and drink). I would also put the mix CD in this category because you wouldn't have to keep the CD. And toilet paper too I guess. The last thing I would want to do is contribute to someone's clutter just when they're starting out in a new place.

New music to a new home is always a nice touch! I think also if you have a portrait of the homeowner, that'd be a nice gift too. Especially a married couple who just bough their first home... maybe it could be a shot from their wedding or something along those lines that says "welcome to the next phase of a happy life together."

My best gift ever was a tureen of foie gras.

The guest who brought it arrived first. I got a spoon, and ate the whole thing before another guest arrived. (We were all in the food business and he was a major buyer, so I knew he had been gifted.) He was flattered, and it was the first time I think I got enough of one of my favorite foods. That was 21 years ago, and that tureen is the only thing, no kidding, that I allow on my kitchen counter.

So, I think the best gifts are food. If you can afford caviar and foie gras, great. If you can't, there are plenty of specialty foods out there to share.

I think this is a great post and I like all of the ideas. (Though I have to say that Southern ladies have been doing the "full meal" suggestion for generations.) For my first real place on my own, my cousin made up a goody basket of extra housewares that she had (some pots, utensils, a couple vases, candles, mason jars). Everything was wrapped up with a really cute bow and looked so cute!

If someone has *just* moved in, I think there's actually a way to package the toilet paper that makes it seem like a thoughtful gift. Perhaps as part of a "move-in" kit that contains a bunch of little items that people need and often forget when they're moving into a new place.

I still often follow the Jewish housewarming tradition of bread, salt, and sugar. I'll pick up a loaf of good bread, some fancy salt (Himalayan pink is a favorite of mine), and some good honey (which I sub for sugar). To me, it screams tradition and thoughtfulness -- "Bread so that you shall never know hunger; salt, so your life shall always have flavor; and sugar, so your life shall always have sweetness.”

Another good one, if you're willing to put in a bit of work, is to do a takeout binder or a guide to some sort of neighborhood/local resources (e.g., for someone with little kids you could do the closest playgrounds, or for a foodie maybe a guide to farmer's markets or gourmet shops).

I have to admit that I'd prefer any of those to a spray-painted trophy...

oh yeah, and toilet paper was also in the basket! (it was greatly appreciated)

As a newlywed, my husband and I just moved into our first "own place" and I think these gift ideas are great! My favorites are the toilet paper becuase it's something we always need, the full meal one is also great I had a friend do that for us and it made a huge impression, plus the framed picture of the home is something I would keep forever. Something I give when I'm a first time guest is flowers that have already been cut and put into a vase. It may be a little boring but if they're already prepaired it saves the host the trouble and gives them a vase they can keep or regift. Another gift I give to friends I've known for awhile I find a picture of them. Either one I've already had or take one I like off Facebook then I edit it in a crazy or cute way I know they would like, frame it and give it to them.

The CD suggestion could be touchy, as younger people are going towards subscription based stuff. I'm still trying to ditch the physical CDs entirely. Small plants are nice.

ramblingirl, you're invited to any housewarming I ever have. Those are great ideas!

Beautiful wooden clothes hangers for the front clothes closet...12 would be nice, but expensive...perhaps 6 are more in line with everyone's budget.

if someone gave me a painted trophy id probably give them a polite (and fake) smile.

We just had a housewarming party, so I can tell you that we would've appreciated the toilet paper, but not a silly trophy or even the full meal because my refrigerator was full of food and drink for the party.

The best present we got was a set of coasters. We have a whole extra seating area in the new place and I hadn't found any coasters yet. I loved them and they were exactly what I needed.

I also would've appreciated the framed picture of the house. You could've even made something from Google Maps Street View. A potted plant or flowers would've been great too.

I had a friend drop by with a few rolls of toilet paper when I first picked up the keys to my new apartment. Everything I owned was at my parents' house 35 min away and I had actually been contemplating where I would go if I needed to use the restroom. It was thoughtful and something that I put to almost immediate use.

The only idea of the ones listed that makes sense to me is 'bring a full meal'. I'd add though if you're going to do that, deliver it in a container your host can keep or dispose of, of that they can transfer easily and you take the dish home that night. If you're unpacking and getting settled, the last thing you need is to keep track of someone else's container so you can get it back to them.

Personally, I've always been fond of bringing a good coffee or a selection of tea or a nice bottle of wine. Not terribly inventive but something I know would come in handy if I were on the receiving end.

I recently went to a housewarming party of some friends and brought them a book from my own bookshelf to put on their book shelf. The book,written in the 1970's, was called "Sexual Astrology" and is completely hilarious to read at a party! Obviously this particular book wouldn't be for everyone or for new neighbors you've never met! But besides not having to spend any money on it, a book from my own shelf was a much more personal gift and I told them that when they get sick of it to pass it along to someone else. They loved it and it was a hit at the party!

Light bulbs are good, too. Everybody needs them eventually.
Incense is nice because sometimes a new place just smells too new.

I've moved my fair share of time (and probably your fair share too) and I can tell you never once would I have appreciated a trophy, cd or picture of my place.

TP is practical, if you're going to do that take it up a notch and make a move in kit. TP, Paper Towels, Hand Soap and maybe a Target gift card.

Food and Drink are always appreciated.

I usually give lavender sachets that I make myself. People seem to really appreciate them, long after they've been given.

i think you guys really phoned this one in, AT. toilet paper over a bottle of wine? really??

I always give guest books. It is a gift that keeps on giving with all the memories it collects.

I usually give a cordless screwdriver. When you first move into a new place, it's a very useful item as it also comes with drill bits and different screw heads for all sorts of jobs. Great for hanging all those pictures, drapery rods, changing fixtures, tightening things. Another thing I give is a gift card to either a home improvement store or a place like Target. You need a ton of cleaning supplies, hooks etc when you are first moving into a new place. A spray painted trophy? That's just plain silly!

I've moved a lot in the past few years, nine times in 7 years. Maybe it is the experience, but we always make a move in kit of toilet paper, paper towels, and cleaning products. Maybe if someone presented me with all those things in a laundry basket well before we'd moved, I'd appreciate it, but a six pack of TP with a ribbon on it? Not so much. A trophy would fit in no where in our decor, and I'd probably give it away. For gifts before people move, it's probably a lot wiser not to give them things. Many people will be getting rid of things, or already have decor ideas in mind. Offering moving help, child care or pet sitting, dinner on moving day will probably be much more helpful. If the gift is after they've moved, a gift card as was suggested above is a great idea. Wine and beer or even nice cheese are usually great, as guests may often drop by unexpectedly when you're just settled in. The worst gift received by us was a huuuuge bible. The best (to me!) was a cooler of steak.

It might be kinda fun to make a TP cake (like the diaper cakes that are now ubiquitous at baby showers). I've got friends moving in to a new place in a week...I might have to do that.

My uncle (who, oddly enough, is *not* a plumber) gives a good-quality plunger when someone moves into their first home. I thought it was odd, but I have been extremely grateful for his gift over the years.

At my housewarming party, I requested no gifts. (And I was serious.)

But one guest gave me, of all things, a beta fish in a huge bowl. So wrong.

I can't help thinking that the need to give unique housewarming gifts is more about feeling that you are super unique than it is about giving your friend something they will actually enjoy. Me, I never get tired of wine.

i love all of ramblingirl's ideas!
and i'm on board with the full meal thing, too.
but the rest.... not so much.

I have friends who bring toilet paper to parties as a gift all the time. I LOVE IT. It's funny, and it will be used. It's always the thought!

The best gift we got was a friend taking photos of move-in day. He gave us prints a few weeks later, and it was nice to have a picture of our family sitting on the front steps of our new house. They are also good "before" pictures.
I like to take over a picnic lunch on move-in day, nice bread, buns, deli meat, sliced cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, onions, etc., and some cold drinks and ice, paper plates, and a garbage bag. It has been appreciated.

No junk. Please do not bring "stuff" to someone's home--housewarming or no. Consumables are ok, but no junk!

I made these for my friend, who suggested I put them on etsy, to spread the love and make some bones. But mostly the love thing. (the love of bones). Anyways, here they are. In general, I think custom something is nice for housewarming.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71997228/custom-pillowcases-set-of-2

Along the lines of toilet paper, my favorite housewarming gift (to give) was a plunger tied with a big bow. They loved it, showing it off to all the other guests, and genuinely thought it was hilarious. We gave them a bottle of wine too, just in case!

There's a diference between "housewarming" and "to get you thru moving day" gifts. I think the tp would be a gift you'd bring on moving day, not after. So if you are helping a friend move, giving them a basket with tp, travel sized toiletries and a washcloth might help them get through the night if they forgot to put aside some things during unpacking time.

I brought 2 whole food pizzas, a bottle of prossecco, six pack of soda, cracked pepper crackers, a cheeseball, paper plates, plastic utensils and a basket of fruit on my friend's moving day. She was grateful for something to nosh on.

I wanted to mention when I got separated and moved into my new place (did all my moving completely alone on Thanksgiving day), I would've kissed the person who brought me TP & of all things, a pillow, because that was the last thing I was thinking about.

When we moved to a new area friends gave us a six month home delivery subscription to the local Saturday paper. Very thoughtful and original as it allowed us to get to know what was happening in the area.

I love the mixed CD idea, it's always great to have some new music to listen too.

The best housewarming gifts I've given and received is help cleaning the house and clearing the yard.

It make things so much easier when you start with a clean slate. I had a small home cleaning party. I supplied the food and the drinks, we split up chores and got to work. We finished in 3 hours what would have taken me 2 weeks and it was really fun.

Another thing I haven't done yet but would love to do is get a bunch of mini canvasses and have my close friends and family draw self-portraits for me to put up. I'm not a fan of photographs being portrayed on walls. They look better in albums IMO.

I agree, I would NOT appreciate a spray painted trophy, or a picture of my place. And who even owns a CD player these days? TP is practical, a meal is also a good idea. I think decor for someone's home is a personal thing; I'd appreciate a gift card or maybe a handy dandy and useful small kitchen gadget.

i've also done potted herbs for a friend who i knew wanted to start a kitchen garden on their new porch.
otherwise, i'll never forget the friend who brought us dinner the first night we moved into our new apartment. we had gotten caught up in unpacking before we realized that all the stored withing walking distance were closed, and we had no food around! she knocked on the door with a huge salad and cheese and when we asked how to thank her, she said 'pay it forward to the next person who moves in'
was lovely.

Housewarming gifts I'm giving this week (one recipient, very good friend): new, custom fire escape gate (the stock gate is awful), laundry/shopping cart (4th floor walk up). Useful, unique and thoughtful, for her circumstances.

I bought some toilet paper for a friend who just moved in her first apartment. BUT it was decorated with music notes, and my friend chose the same theme for her bathroom tiles, so I thought it would make her smile (and it worked!).
Anyway there is nothing wrong in a bottle of wine, home-prepared food (specially something that if not eaten the same day can be freezed), fruit, or a plant: or a little something specifically tought for the person who will receive it.
IMO, is better to be boring than to be original at all costs (= trophy: no, thanks)

A twist on the "photo of house" idea is to use the library or other historical document databases to find historical photos of the house. Someone gave us a framed photo of our building from the 1940s, done as part of a census survey--we loved seeing what our block looked like then!

When my dad moved to his new apartment in New York, my sister and I sent him there with 12 new wooden hangers (from the local IKEA) and a spoon rest made by a local potter. We thought about getting kitchen stuff, but he's finicky about kitchen items, so it didn't make sense to.

Give them a nice picture of their OLD place, too.

i always bring toilet paper. it only takes moving someone once when you DON'T have that to realize how important it is. no, it's not glamorous, but TP, some soap and paper towels go a long way on moving day.
dinner (homemade or takeout/ delivery) also helps if you can provide. who wants to cook after a long day of hauling? :)

potted flowers. food..and yes, marmalade will work:) funny watering can, for the yard. or for the mentioned above potted flowers. something silly and endearing from the local festival of arts and crafts. tablecloth..
I liked the idea of nicely binded list of everything local, if people just moved to the place. The old great greeting with bread and salt. The most strange thing for me to get would be trophy..not useful AND not funny AND not beautiful..an object should be one of three, at least, in my opinion.

But the most I would agree with a comment about geniune friendship. As long as people thought of you, came to you, wanted to share your moments, wanted to see smile on your face..what else do you need?
(just a little help afterwards in painting those walls, lol))

When my husband and I moved into our first house, my Dad gave us a really pretty basket with cheese, crackers, some little mini bottles of champage, and a few candles with a lighter. He also threw in a starter log for our fireplace. Such a sweet gift for a young couple.

I bring TP, soap, paper towels, and beer on moving day. For a housewarming, I bring wine and homemade bread. No complaints thus far. If I know the folks aren't into booze (not often in our circle of friends), I bring wooden hangers from IKEA. I figure they're always useful somewhere.