What gifts should I bring someone for their first apartment? 🎁

Your best friend just texted to tell you they're all moved into their first apartment. You're very excited for them and can't wait to check out the new place!

Wait...isn't it customary to give a gift when someone moves?

What type of gift should you give? When do you give the gift?

What's the time frame for giving a housewarming gift?

Gifts are usually given within the first six months of the move-in date.

If there's a housewarming party, bring the gift to the event.

If there's no party, bring the gift when you visit the new place for the first time.

Questions to Consider:

What's your friend's personal style?

What's your budget?

What items does your friend need?

Is there a particular part of the home you should focus on (kitchen, bathroom, living room, or bedroom)?

A sitting room with various home decor items such as plants, pictures, lighting, and a rug framing the orange couch.

Feel free to reach out to your friend to see if there's something specific they might like.

Proceed with Caution...

Personalized gifts are great — but remember you're buying for your friend and not you!

Avoid buying art, unless you 100% know your friend will appreciate it.

Furniture can be expensive and may not suit your friend's personal style.

When in doubt give your friend the gift receipt!

David from Schitt's Creek nodding his head no with a look of disgust while overlaid text reads 'absolutely not.'

What are some common housewarming gifts?

Here is a list of popular housewarming gifts, but don't forget to keep your friend's interests and needs in mind!

Houseplants
Candles
Personalized gifts (keychain, doormat, address stamp, coasters, hand towels)
Hand soap gift set
Blankets
Picture frames
Gourmet salts or olive oils
Homemade baked goods
Photo by John Mark Arnold on Unsplash

Did you know?

According to the article "9 Cool Housewarming Traditions Around the World", bread is a traditional housewarming gift given in many countries around the world. The gift of bread symbolizes a house never knowing hunger (Christensen, 2017).

Knowledge Check

Flaticon Icon Marcus has been invited to his friend Jazmine's housewarming party. He knows that Jazmine enjoys green spaces, but doesn't have access to a yard or garden.

She has all of the home essentials for her kitchen and bathroom. She also has allergies which make her sensitive to many scents.

A neat and sparse apartment is pictured with neutral furniture, a white kitchen island and white walls

Quiz

Which of the following gifts should Marcus consider giving her?

wooden kitchen utensils

vanilla candle

a monogramed hand towel

a houseplant

Take Action

Are you ready to celebrate your friend's housewarming?

Woman reviews her list and peers over her glasses while overlaid text reads 'time to go shopping.'

Keep your friend's interests and needs in mind as you shop for the housewarming gift. This may include purchasing a gift card.

Create a budget and research other housewarming gift ideas.

Check out this Byte to learn how to wrap your housewarming gift in an environmentally friendly manner.

Check out this Byte to learn more about the benefits of houseplants, which may be a good housewarming gift.