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the best house-warming gift i received was a basket of natural cleaning products. i loved it. however, there are very few people i'd give that to.

i like to give consumable things like the pantry ideas, wine, and candles (but only to people who actually burn them). i also think a house plant or cut flowers are a good gift!

My rule for gift giving these days is "consumables." Anything that can be consumed rather than dusted is on my list. I just gave a wedding gift of spices. Wine is always a welcome gift among those I know. Home baked goods, if you have the time and inclination. Chocolate is always well received. Good cheese and crackers is a nice choice as well. Gift certificates to local restaurants are also a good choice.

agree food or plants are always good.

when we moved ourselves to our last place, our realtor left a bag of Trader Joe's nuts, cookies, etc...it was one of the best gifts EVER.

I would argue that the Marimekko serving tray is way too specific a style to suggest buying as a housewarming gift - especailly right after you warn readers to be wary of purchasing "decor items". Anything that would be on display at some point in the home falls into this category. A graphic serving tray like the ones you suggest is just going to wind up on the junk pile if it clashes with the home owner's preferred style.

Yes, I think the tea towel and serving tray pictured here conform to a rather specific aesthetic. Though lovely, they wouldn't be for everyone.
My preference is to give something that can be eaten, drunk, or burned (candles or incense). It also spares the recipient from keeping the items on display.
Cleaning products, though they are consumable and not subject to being displayed, are usually a matter of personal taste, in my experience.

We just had a housewarming party for our new house and received a ton of great gifts.

Among our favorites -- fancy kitchen hand soap, a bamboo tray (they nailed our style), a hand-knitted throw (again, in our style/color), a local artists key plaque and matching key chains (don drumm), personalized stationary with our new address, vintage masks. Also great choices were an awesome bird feeder and 4 different plants/planters (we have an enormous yard.)

Not so great -- 6 bottles of wine (we don't drink!) We're planning to regift these!

I've always liked the idea of giving a basket with pasta, a good jarred sauce and good cheese, maybe packaged in a collander, as you can never have too many and might not know where yours has vanished to. Food always goes over well.

The walnut oil is a great choice--I recently picked up a bottle at the farmers market and was thinking to myself what a lovely housewarming gift it would make! Delicious, versatile, and slightly unusual. Emphasis on the delicious.

The best housewarming gift that I got was a coffee grinder, good coffee and chocolate.
http://www.notyourgoddess.blogspot.com/

I always give an aloe plant, repotted in a simple pot. Aloe are easy to care for and come in handy as natural first aid.

I think the pasta/cheese idea is a great idea!!!

As far as the wine, even if you don't drink it, I'd still count it as a great gift, since it can always be regifted (moneysaver!)