Homeowners

Welcome Home: 7 Affordable Housewarming Gift Ideas

Meaningful housewarming gifts don't require a hefty price tag. The most treasured items often combine practicality with thoughtfulness—without breaking the bank.

Whether your friend, family member, or client is a first-time homeowner, upgrading to accommodate growing needs, or downsizing to simplify life, the perfect gift speaks to their journey. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best kind of housewarming gifts to help welcome folks into their new homes. 

“When I'm giving a housewarming gift, I want to remind them of the sheer joy they felt when they decided this should be their home,” said Ashley Stambaugh, real estate agent and team lead with Stambaugh & Associates in Overland Park, Kan. “[It should] provide a token of comfort and delight in the bewilderment of moving in.”

Housewarming gift idea #1: Kitchen companions

When giving a gift, aim for those that will be used regularly.

For example, a beautiful wooden cutting board is both a kitchen workhorse and a serving platter. Kitchen towels and utensils can help personalize the space, while first-time homeowners may need champagne glasses to toast to their new digs. Cheers!

On the other hand, consumable gifts such as a quality olive oil and vinegar set, a gift basket of local foods, or the ingredients to bake cookies are always popular.

A gift card to a food delivery service can also be a lifesaver for a friend in the throes of unpacking.

Housewarming gift idea #2: Cozy comforts

Help make a new place feel like home with items that add immediate comfort.

A carefully chosen throw blanket can warm up a room—as well as the recipient of the gift. Pair it with locally roasted coffee beans and a unique mug for mornings on the porch or deck.

First-time homeowners may be ready to swap out their towels from college for new, fluffy ones.

Families with young children might appreciate fun nightlights, soothing sound machines, or creative doorstoppers to help make new bedrooms feel more welcoming.

Housewarming gift idea #3: Pretty plants

Breathe life into sterile corners or windowsills with a houseplant potted in a pretty, unique container that reflects the homeowner’s style.

Choose easy-to-care-for, leafy plants such as sansevieria, pothos, or philodendrons. Fiddle leaf fig plants offer a striking, visual pop of color to a room.

Or, if they have a green thumb, consider an indoor herb garden or more advanced gardening tools and equipment.

Housewarming gift idea #4: Personalized products

Help solidify the transition to the new space with a personalized gift.

Consider a customized address stamp, map prints of meaningful locations, or a doormat with their name.

Stambaugh takes a picture of her clients in front of their new homes and has it framed for them.

Housewarming gift idea #5: Entertaining essentials

Most new homeowners can’t wait to welcome friends and family into their new space. Help them prepare for future gatherings with thoughtful entertaining essentials.

A set of versatile cloth napkins in washable fabrics combines sustainability with style, while elegant cheese knives, or a marble serving board elevate even simple spreads.

For more casual hosts, consider durable acrylic glassware for outdoor gatherings.

Or gift them what they need to host a game night, such as a board or game that works for a variety of ages. Charades anyone?

Housewarming gift idea #6: Little luxuries

There are many ways to make a new home feel elevated and special without dropping a lot of dough.

Find an artisanal candle, marble coasters, a hand soap and lotion set—or anything else that feels high-end but stays within your budget.

Housewarming gift idea #7: Practical presents

These may include basic toolkits for hanging pictures on their new walls or gardening equipment, especially if they just purchased their first home with a yard.

Families may appreciate your time and talent more than anything else. Volunteer to bring dinner or take the kids for a few hours so the parents can make some serious unpacking progress.

Remember the cardinal rule of gift-giving: It’s the thought that counts.

“Nothing is sweeter than the excitement of buying a new home, and memorializing that feeling with a thoughtful present is a gift that keeps on giving,” said Stambaugh.