One day you look out the window and a moving truck is parking in the driveway across the street. Junior comes home one night and announces he is moving out. The phone rings and your little sister reveals the big news that she and hubby just bought their first home. These are every day scenarios that could happen to you and that may require a trip to the store to buy a housewarming gift.
To choose a housewarming gifts should not be difficult. If you know the individuals quite well you already know their likes and dislikes and what they actually may need to make their new domicile a happy place. If you are welcoming a new neighbor whose decorative flavors you do not know, you may opt for a more general present like a bathroom-themed or food gift basket. Giving a plant is always safe, be it for indoors or in the yard. A household start-up item for a young adult in his or her first apartment can light a spark. Through a few simple questions you can easily find out what he or she still need or prefer. A toaster, towels, linen, picture frames, candles are more traditional gifts. Home décor items are usually very popular, but be careful especially when you are not familiar with the homeowner’s taste. In that case a gift certificate from a local store may be more appropriate.
Nowadays the tradition that housewarming gifts are supposed to be massive and expensive no longer applies. Try to remember what you got when you made your debut as an adult or first-time home owner and what actually made an impression on you. If you haven’t made that commitment yet of living on your own, picture what you would like to get and how you would feel if someone brought you a big dog statue when in fact, you are a cat lover.
If you prefer a more personal way to show that you care you can help out during the move and consider that your gift. If you are unavailable at the time furniture and boxes are being shoved around you can always bring over a nice meal or take your re-locators out to dinner. And last but not least… you can always baby-sit if children are involved. Whatever you decide always keep in mind that personal and tasteful gifts are much better, than a hideous figurine you picked up just because it was on sale. That will definitely end up in the garbage by the end of the day and leave a bitter-sweet aftertaste on any relationship.