35 Awesome Housewarming Gift Ideas That Beat a Bottle of Wine

updated Nov 1, 2020
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Credit: Amy Covington/Stocksy

Moving to a new place is exciting, stressful, and very much worthy of celebrating. Whether you know someone who’s moving in with their partner, living roommate-free for the first time, or just purchased a home, it’s a good idea to send them a gift to commemorate the milestone. While you can always play it safe and deliver a bottle of wine, there’s a whole world of thoughtful, fun, and useful gifts out there you can give instead. Browse 35 of the best, most unique housewarming gifts below, no matter who you’re shopping for.

1 / 35
Areaware
$43.00

Candles are a classic housewarming gift, but they're also risky if you don't know what types of scents the receiver likes. Solve that problem with this candle bundle from Areaware, which includes three unscented candles in different sizes. There are seven colors to choose from, so you're sure to find one that matches the receiver's style.

2 / 35
Terrain
$22.00

Help your friend break in their new kitchen with some gourmet food they wouldn't typically buy for themselves—like this delicious honey from BumbleBerry Farms in Pennsylvania. It's stored in a cute hexagonal jar with accompanying honey stick, perfect for using in tea, oatmeal, cereal, or on top of pancakes.

3 / 35
Food52
$48.00

Match strikers are a much more decorative alternative to lighters and matchboxes, and they make an ideal housewarming gift since they're both practical and stylish. This one is simple and sophisticated, and it will look great displayed on a coffee table or console.

4 / 35
SNOWE Home
$35.00

Snowe's best-selling chef's towel set is a perfect gift for anyone who loves to cook. Versatile and convenient, these linen towels can clean up messes and dry dishes, plus they can be used as a half-apron while cooking. It's available in five colors, and both towels have their own prints for a little bit of pattern play.

5 / 35
Bloomscape
$35.00

There's nothing like a new plant to warm up a house. The Bird's Nest Fern is a super low-maintenance option that prefers low light and requires less humidity than other plants, making it a solid choice for any type of plant parent. It's also non-toxic to pets, so feel free to give it to your friend who has a dog or cat roaming around.

6 / 35
Etsy
$40.00

Really want to go the extra mile? Give your friend a custom illustrated print of their new house, or their old one to remember it by as they move on. From The Ground Up Home lets you choose from a digital file only, unframed print, framed print, or canvas print, plus you can customize the font and orientation.

7 / 35
Aesop
$34.00
was $40.00

In case you didn't know, Aesop hand soap is basically the height of luxury. Unsurprisingly, it has a seriously high price tag that feels silly to spend for yourself—but why not gift it to the friend who's just moved into a new home? Buy it in the signature Resurrection scent from Nordstrom and your friend will have an Insta-worthy bathroom in no time.

8 / 35
Baggu
$36.00

Moving to a new place is the perfect time to start implementing some eco-friendly practices at home. Help your friend out by gifting them a set of Baggu's cult-favorite bags, which come in a variety of fun colors and can be used for everything from grocery shopping to errand running. Plus, they're machine-washable!

9 / 35
Linoto
$8.00

Another great eco-friendly gift idea is a few of these linen towels from Linoto. Made from the leftover fabric from Linoto's linen products, these towels (which cost just $8 each!) have endless uses: paper towel alternative, dish towel, napkin, place mat, cleaning rag, etc. They make for a practical and stylish gift, and come in four colors.

10 / 35
La Colombe
$39.00

Moving into a new home can be exhausting, so make the transition a little easier with this pack of La Colombe's original coffee blends. You can purchase eight different grinds, including whole bean, drip, and cold brew, and each box is a full-sized 12 oz. Another option? Gift a subscription so your friend can enjoy La Colombe's brews on a recurring basis.

11 / 35
Bolé Road Textiles
$36.00

Simple but fun, these leather coasters provide a pop of color to any living room setup. Each set comes with four coasters and there are four colors to choose from, including bold cerulean and playful hot pink. And these aren't your average coasters—each one is handmade in Ethiopia from genuine leather, so you know you're buying well-made pieces that'll last.

12 / 35
Etsy
$8.00

For the liquor connoisseur in your life, grab one of these seriously fun soaps inspired by popular cocktails. The Bourbon bar soap is one of Soap Distillery's most popular products, and smells like a combination of smoked oak wood, vanilla, and spices, plus contains ground clove for extra exfoliation. Buy a few to keep on hand for when you need a last-minute gift.

13 / 35
Williams Sonoma
$59.95

Wine is a perennial favorite for housewarming gifts, but why not go for a classy wine chiller instead? This option from Williams-Sonoma is hand-carved from marble, and is a totally sophisticated choice that the receiver is sure to use for many years to come. (And you can always gift it with a bottle of wine too, to really go all out.)

14 / 35
Terrain
$22.00

A pretty watering can is one of those little luxuries you wouldn't necessarily buy for yourself, which means it's a great gift idea. Give it to your friend who takes their plants over to the sink to be watered—it's so cute that they won't mind leaving it out on the counter or windowsill.

15 / 35
Branch Basics
$75.00

Help your friend start with a clean slate in their new home with this starter kit from Branch Basics. It includes one bottle of the brand's cleaning concentrate, plus five empty refillable bottles (three spray, one hand wash, and one laundry bottle), so they can make their own cleaners with the included concentrate. Smart, effective, and eco-friendly.

16 / 35
Bookshop
$35.00

Our sister site Kitchn chose "Small Victories" as their June Cookbook Club pick, and it just so happens to make an excellent housewarming gift, too. Julia Turshen's book is all about celebrating the minor achievements you have in your kitchen, and it's a comforting book that all types of home chefs can appreciate. Your friend will love breaking in their new kitchen with any of these recipes!

17 / 35
Material
$28.00
was $35.00

Material's iconic reBoard has become a kitchen staple ever since it launched in 2019, and it's finally back in stock. Made of recycled plastic and renewable sugarcane, it's a sustainable alternative to plastic cutting boards, and comes in a range of actually gorgeous colors. Buy individually or as a set of three—we guarantee anyone would be thrilled to add it to their new kitchen.

18 / 35
Modsy
$159.00

Willing to spend extra for someone you're especially close to? You can't do better than a gift card to Modsy, an interior decorating service that'll work with the recipient to create the space of their dreams. The Premium plan covers 1:1 time with a Modsy designer to work on one room, plus exclusive discounts to make your final plan a reality.

19 / 35
Urban Leaf
$19.00

An herb garden is an easy and practical way to add some green to a kitchen windowsill, and this kit from Urban Leaf has everything your friend needs to get started. It contains a curated selection of eight herbs (Sweet Basil, Cilantro, Dill, Mint, Parsley, Chives, Oregano, and Thyme), bamboo labels, soil starting discs, and detailed instructions.

20 / 35
EcoVibe
$60.00

EcoVibe is a great place to find thoughtful home gift sets, like this Minimalist Package that's perfect for someone who's just moved into a new spot. It includes one P. F. Candle Co. candle and diffuser in the scent of your choice, plus a house plant and accompanying pot, to ensure your friend has everything they need to help their place feel a bit more homey.

21 / 35
Anthropologie
$14.00

We named Anthro's Tiled Margot Mug as the best budget gift for pretty much any occasion, including housewarmings. Anthro usually is the place to go for monogram mugs, but this version is totally unique and a step up from other options thanks to the tiled design (inspired by French bistros!) and gold decals. Gift it with their favorite coffee or tea to really make an impression.

22 / 35
Huckberry
$46.00

Does your friend host the best game nights? Get ready for future gatherings at their new home and gift them this beautiful backgammon game from Printworks. Designed in Stockholm and meant to be displayed rather than hidden away, this game isn't just fun—it's decor, too.

23 / 35
Sur La Table
$39.95

Stasher bags are the new Ziploc bags, so why not give your friend a set to kickstart eco-friendly habits in their new home? This set comes with three silicone stasher bags in different sizes, all of which are reusable and dishwasher-friendly. Not only can you use them to store or pack food, but they're also safe to use in the microwave, oven, and even boiling pots.

24 / 35
West Elm
$20.00
was $25.00

When in doubt, a bouquet of flowers in a pretty vase never fails. This luminescent vase from West Elm has a lustrous, pearlized finish and subtle ombre effect that'll complement all types of florals (not to mention decor). There are a total of four different styles to choose from, although the tall tapered option is the most versatile—but you can't go wrong with any of them.

25 / 35
Verishop
$39.00

A wine carrier: You don't really need one, but they do come in handy from time to time. This cozy carrier from Graf Lantz is made of merino wool felt that'll keep their wine at the optimal temperature, whether they're hosting friends or spending the day outside at a park. Deliver it with your friend's favorite bottle of merlot for extra points.

26 / 35
Verishop
$70.00

Everyone could use an extra charger or two, and this charge pad is meant to blend into its surroundings (but it looks way nicer than a regular charger). Your friend can place it in their new WFH spot or on a side table, where it'll be a stylish yet functional addition they'll be happy they have.

27 / 35
Urban Outfitters
$25.00

Essential oil diffusers are popular for a reason: Not only do they offer aromatherapy benefits, but they can also make any space feel way more serene. This cute and compact model can fit just about anywhere (even a bag when traveling), and comes in four muted colors. Gift with some essential oil blends so the recipient can start using it ASAP.

28 / 35
Food52
$30.00

Chances are your friend's oven mitts have seen better days. Food52 thought of everything when they designed these mitts—not only are they actually good-looking, but they have a silicone-cotton construction and built-in magnets for easy hanging. If you like what you see, you can also buy matching pot holders, or even an apron and oven mitt set.

29 / 35
The Laundress
$36.50
was $38.50

For some people (myself included), there's nothing quite as nice as luxury laundry and cleaning products. Treat your friend to this set of two of The Laundress's best-selling products to help them get a fresh start in their new home.

30 / 35
Anthropologie
$18.00

Anthro's best-selling market dishcloths are a reliable gift for just about anyone, but they're especially suited for housewarmings. Made of cotton with a waffle weave texture, they're absorbent, functional, and very cute (they even come in a little basket that's perfect for gifting). Choose from five different color schemes to suit any style.

31 / 35
Etsy
$15.00

Preserved flowers are growing in popularity for a reason: They're just as pretty as fresh flowers, but they'll last way longer. This bunch includes 35-40 lagarus flowers in a range of colors that's perfect for gifting with a cute, colorful vase.

32 / 35
Sun Basket
$100.00

Moving is hard—make it a little easier by providing your pal a week of dinners courtesy of Sun Basket. The subscription service offers premium quality, responsibly-sourced ingredients, with options for paleo, gluten-free, vegetarian, and pescatarian diets. Give a $100 gift card and your friend will get one week of Sun Basket for two people (AKA three recipes per week).

33 / 35
Brightland
$74.00

Brightland's cult-favorite olive oils are a great gift idea for foodies, especially if they've just moved and need to stock up on pantry essentials. This set comes with the ALIVE and AWAKE oils, both of which are made to be paired with all your favorite meals—use ALIVE with salads and baked goods, and switch to AWAKE for pasta, bread, chicken, and roasted veggies.

34 / 35
The Bouqs Co.
$44.00

Fresh flowers are always appreciated, but they don't last very long. Add some cheer to your friend's new home with a subscription to The Bouqs Co., which delivers farm-fresh flowers straight to your door. You get to choose between four different collections (Roses, Farmer's Market, Classics, and Seasonal) and three bouquet sizes, as well as the frequency of delivery. Talk about giving the gift that keeps on giving!

35 / 35
Grove Collaborative
$32.95
was $42.80

Washing the dishes isn't exactly something to get excited for, but this sinkside accessories set might make the chore a little more fun. It includes an eco-friendly walnut scrubber sponge (take note that it's not suitable for those with nut allergies), a dish brush, caddy, and stoneware tray that's simple and stylish.