4 Unexpected Housewarming Gift Ideas

Purchasing a new home is one of life’s most exciting milestones! We have good friends who are moving into a new home soon so I’ve been thinking a lot about how to blow them away with a great housewarming gift. And since it’s not their first home they pretty much have everything they need so I really need to get creative. Whether they host a housewarming party or we just stop by to check out the new place, I want to take along a housewarming gift that shows them we gave it some thought and they can actually use in their new home.

Here’s the hot list of fun ideas I’ve found so far:

#1 Recover from the Move

Let’s be honest, moving is stressful. Between finding the new home, packing up your old place, orchestrating the move and making sure everything gets to its destination safely, our friends will be completely wiped out after their efforts. What if we help them relax and re-center with a gift of bliss; that’s right, I’m talking about a massage day. You can’t go wrong with a couple’s massage that will help them rub away the stress of the move. Check out Massage Envy, a national chain with locations in most major cities. I’m thinking this gift will be a standout. Though it’s not exactly something they can use within their home, it will definitely get them enjoying their evenings more after a long week of work. I’m thinking a break from the hustle and bustle of moving may very well be a brilliant idea for a housewarming gift. After all, once you move in it takes a while to get settled and your pretty much facing chores and projects for months!

#2 For the Beer Lovers

Are your friends beer connoisseurs? Give them the chance to enjoy the freshest of their favorite brews right in the comfort of their new home with some Etching Expressions growlers. The great thing about this company is you can get these growlers personalized with pretty much anything you want; pictures of your friends, an inside joke, or even just some pre-designed options they already have. This gift will let your friends head to their favorite brewery and bring home their favorite drinks without worrying about the beer going stale. Plus, it works well as décor and will hopefully become a point of pride among their barware.

#3 The Gift of Nature

Incorporating natural elements into the home is a huge trend and you can give the gift of bringing Mother Nature indoors. I’m personally a fan of LiveTrends Design, a company that mixes pottery and plants for some edgy and dare I say hipster-approved home décor. From hanging terrariums to framed moss and succulents, these items are cool-looking, and according to recent studies, might just come with some health benefits. That’s right, recently NASA published findings that stated plants could greatly improve air quality and make homes healthier to live in. Want to be a great friend? Give the new homeowners the gift of health; I guarantee your present will be counted among their favorites.

#4 Some Backyard Fun

Does their new home have a backyard? Make sure they take advantage of their new space and get them a backyard game perfect for entertaining on warm summer days. Companies like Victorytailgate.com will actually let you personalize different outdoor games like corn hole, ladder golf, and even beer pong tables with your choice of colors, symbols, and words. If the new homeowners are sports fanatics, you can’t go wrong with a game emblazoned with their favorite team’s logo. If you’re heading over for a housewarming party, expect your gift to be used right away and practice your aim for any of these fun games.

So these are my initial ideas but I still have a couple weeks to go before making a final decision. If you also have friends that have leaped into home ownership, let me know how you plan to celebrate the wonderful occasion with them. I just want to think outside the normal and avoid a bottle of wine. I want to show up with something that will surprise them and that they’ll get plenty of use from.