My friends Deon and Amarah just moved into a new home. They have a three-year-old daughter, and the family was ready for a little more space. Plus, they relocated closer to each of their jobs, allowing for shorter commutes and more family time. I am very happy for them.
But then my mind immediately turned to: What is the best housewarming gift I can give them for their new home?
I wanted something that would feel relevant to them, but also make sense as something that would earn its place in their new space. And isn't that how the best gifts are born? We think about the recipients, the occasion, and how the gift can enhance their lives in some way, even if it is simply to make them easier.
With that, here are a handful of thoughtful housewarming gift ideas that aren't generic; they're organic.
A really good rolling pin - particularly for a household that bakes - is a great gift. Include a handwritten recipe. It can be one from your family. If your family doesn't bake, email me and I'll give you one you can pass along. Is the handwritten recipe necessary? Absolutely not. Is it a sweet touch that will be appreciated? Without doubt.
Beautiful kitchen - or bathroom - linens are always needed. A handwoven Turkish hand towel is durable and utilitarian, made from long-strand cotton, but it is also beautiful.
A pair of substantial salad servers not only encourages healthy eating, but is perfect for a night of entertaining.
A candle that smells amazing makes for a happy house. Pick a scent that speaks for itself, rather than worrying with what the label says.
A small entertaining set - pantry item + serving piece + linen - encourages opening time in the heart of the home.
When I was with Williams-Sonoma, I would often include a bouquet of cooks' tools tied into the bow of a wedding gift. I don't recall if they had something similar in their marketing materials, if my boss at the time often did it, or what exactly prompted me to start making them, but they made a statement. Plus, wooden tools make for a safer kitchen.
A small self-care set - candle + soap + linens - makes the whole house smell better and provides a sense of comfort amid the chaos of settling into a new home.
A throw blanket for the living room is never a bad idea. Inevitably, one partner will be cold while the other isn't and that blanket will save someone's feelings.
Whether it lives on the table, the countertop, or even inside a cabinet, a lazy susan is one of the handiest - yet most overlooked - things in a home.
And finally, something they wouldn't quite justify buying themselves, like the $78 salad servers instead of an $18 set from a big box store. The beautiful rolling pin instead of the basic one. Something they'll use often but probably wouldn't splurge on themselves.
Whatever you choose, the point isn't to find something that says *new home*. It's to find something that, before long, simply feels like it belongs there.
