The housing market had its ups and downs, but every day someone’s moving into the house of their dreams. In fact, 5.51 million people in the US signed on the dotted line and unlocked the front doors of their very own houses in 2017. That’s almost 23 percent of all the households in the United States!
If a friend or family member of yours just made that plunge into the life of homeownership, you know what comes next. Once the ink dries on that contract and the boxes are unpacked, the only way to properly celebrate a new home is a housewarming party.
But what gifts for new homeowners are the best for commemorating that huge step in a person’s life?
Gifts for New Homeowners in 2019
New year, new house–and no one wants to be the person who drops off a scented candle in a gift bag to tell your best friend, “Congrats on the mortgage!” So here are some perfect presents for the new homeowner in your life.
1. A Guidebook to the Trials and Tribulations of Home-owning
There are as many books on owning a home as there are fish in the sea–but that doesn’t mean they’re useless! Give the new homeowner in your life the gift of a really handy little book for when the shower drain clogs or the gutters need a good cleaning. You can even pair it with a basic toolkit to combine theoretical instruction with real-world application.
2. Something to Help Develop a Green Thumb
A lot of homeowners come from the contained world of apartment living, where there’s not a lot of space to explore an enthusiasm for nature and gardening.
If your friend has a green thumb and a lot of green space to cultivate in their new abode, encourage them to complement the geostone patio they’re plotting with some planting. Many gardening retailers offer kits for beginner gardeners to take some of the guesswork out of planning a climate-appropriate, easy to maintain garden.
3. A Way to Keep Warm in the Wintertime
Maybe your friend’s new house is older and not well-insulated, or maybe it’s just a big place with lots of rooms to keep warm.
Whatever the case, every homeowner knows how important it is to keep blankets around for the days when central heating can’t quite keep up with the plummeting temperatures outside! Give your friend a few cozy throws for bundling up on the couch with a good book and a glass of wine. (You might get bonus points for providing the book and wine, too.)
4. A Present of Preservation
Gone are the days of cheap, off-brand sandwich boxes from the dollar store! Your friend owns a house now, so they should invest in some top-quality food storage. Help them start a Tupperware collection that would make any mother proud with a set of heavy plastic or glass containers with matching lids.
Help Your New Homeowner Make Great Memories
With a few great gifts for new homeowners in your arsenal, you’ll be the star attendee of any housewarming soiree. But if you’re looking for even more ways to celebrate a friend’s latest achievement or milestone, check out our other ideas for great parties and presents!
