Presenting a gift to a new neighbor or an old friend with a new home is a long-standing tradition. In past years the gifts given were very practical and usually food related. A dozen eggs or a bag of flour made common welcoming gifts. Now-a-days while food is still a nice idea, most people would prefer the cake already prepared for them and not just the ingredients.
Housewarming gifts come in all shapes, sizes and price ranges but as with most things in life, bigger is not always the best choice. While the traditional houseplant or tray of brownies is always a nice homey present, a little ingenuity on your part can produce a personalized gift idea that will be remembered and used for years to come. Of course it’s always easiest to purchase a gift for someone you know well, but there are a lot of generic things that would be welcomed by as of yet unknown friends as well as old.
Something as inexpensive as a map and a few menus from nearby take-out restaurants can mean the world to a family moving from another town.. A tray of cold cuts with some fresh bread is another good idea. Better still, an invitation to dine at your home for a quick meal and a tour of the neighborhood can open the door to bonding and a new friendship.
Books about the history of their newly chosen hometown or the local flora and fauna are also wonderful presents to help newcomers feel at ease in their new surroundings. On the other hand, a book about the area they left can make a nice memento that will more than likely become a treasured keepsake.
Every new home calls for new cleaning utensils. A mop, a broom, or a basket of cleansers and sponges, make a very practical gift, adding an offer of your time to help with the chores makes it an unforgettable bestowal.
Gardening tools given to the first time homeowner make useful and appreciated gifts that can be purchased in any price range. A shovel or rake isn’t something apartment dwellers have on hand but are needed by homeowners on an average weekly basis. No need to worry about wrapping, just tie a bow to the handle and it’s good to go. A fold-up lawn chair is another item that falls into this category along with birdhouses and feeders, providing, of course, that one of the new neighbors doesn’t happen to be a cat.
A personal telephone/address book with your contact information and the local emergency telephone numbers, school and hospital information already penciled in is another very helpful and possibly lifesaving gift.
Scented candles or potpourri in soothing aromas when burned can make a new house smell like home. Vanilla, Coffee or apple pie scents make good choices. When an invitation to visit and share the real thing, once they’ve settled in, is included your simple present becomes indelible.
Before purchasing your housewarming gift, sit down and think about the ordinary things needed by everyone, every day. Choose an item and give it your own personal spin. Before you know it, you’ll have a housewarming gift idea that says, “Welcome to the neighborhood. I’m glad we’re going to be friends.”
