‘I'm a new homeowner and these are the housewarming gifts I actually want’
Whether you know someone buying their very first home, upsizing, or completing their fifth move in as many years, getting the keys to a new home is just as exciting as it is scary, stressful and expensive.
While it’s likely you’ll want to find a housewarming gift that expresses your excitement for your friend or family member, the last thing a recent mover wants is loads more stuff they don’t really need or know where to put – as a new homeowner myself, trust me on this one.
It’s likely they’ll have spent an age packing and unpacking all their belongings and trying to find the perfect place for each thing in their new property. So, if you’re looking for the best housewarming present, the sweet spot is something that’s fun and practical. Take inspiration from the William Morris quote: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”
Below, I’ve picked out a selection of gifts that will appeal to a variety of homeowners – the house-proud homebodies, the chefs, the interior designers and even the DIY-ers.
Each gift has either been tried and tested by our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute (those with the trusted GHI Approved badge) or hand-picked by me, the GHI's homes writer and recent first-time buyer (so I like to think I know exactly which gifts a mover will want).
Monstera Obliqua
GHI score: 88/100
If you're shopping for a first-time buyer, it’s likely they’ve spent all their money purchasing the essentials and are currently lacking on decor. A houseplant like a Monstera, or Swiss Cheese plant, is the perfect answer.
These large-leafed plants easily fill empty spaces and bring life and colour to your interiors with minimal effort needed. Monsteras are also easy to grow and maintain, so shouldn’t be difficult for new plant parents to care for.
This one comes from Appleyard Flowers, the GHI's joint best plant delivery service, so you can feel confident knowing it will arrive at their front door looking just as good as the picture.
£21.99 at appleyardflowers.com
Prosecco Tradizione Brut 75cl
GHI score: 81/100
A new home is cause for celebration and that means a bottle of bubbly is an essential. This was the GHI’s joint runner-up when our experts searched for the best bottle of prosecco and it's bursting with notes of bold pineapple and juicy peach.
You can pick it up during your weekly shop too – what’s not to love?
Solid Oak Key Hook
When moving into a new house (or flat), things certainly take time to feel like home, so gifting something personalised is a great way of helping your loved ones put their own stamp on the place.
This solid oak key hook can be personalised with their names and new address and offers a tidy space to keep keys organised. The gift of never having to search in a panic for your car keys is one you can't put a price on, either.
Snugsie Giant Blanket
GHI score: 95/100
Once they’ve got the sofa in place, they’ll need a cosy blanket to crash under and this one is the GHI’s best in test. The extra-large design ensures there’s room for everyone and its drapey weight offers plenty of warmth for movie night.
This could be a particularly welcome pick for first time buyers too, as plush accessories and snuggly add-ons likely won't be top of their to-buy list.
Tool Set
Granted, this isn’t a fun present, but it's one they'll reach for time and again. This handy tool set contains 92 pieces that cover all DIY needs, so they'll never be caught short when it comes to tackling odd jobs.
With pliers, a hammer, screwdrivers, a tape measure and a spirit level (and much more) packaged up in a neat storage bag, they'll be thanking you when it's finally time to construct that pile of flatpack furniture.
Bamboo Towel
GHI score: 95/100
Our winning bath towel makes an excellent gift, bringing a little five-star indulgence to bathtime. Combining bamboo and soft cotton, these towels were a hit with our testers and scored full marks for absorbency.
Nothing says luxury like a soft, fluffy towel, after all.
Pure Cotton Splish Splash Tassel Bath Mat
And while we’re on the topic of bathrooms, one thing they probably haven't thought about is a cute new bath mat. This one from M&S will add a playful touch and can be easily machine-washed at 40C whenever it needs freshening up.
Multi-Beverage Hot Drinks Machine & Frother
GHI score: 95/100
After lugging all your furniture into the house (and upstairs), there's no better feeling than popping your feet up and relaxing with a hot drink. Enter: the Haier Hot Drinks Machine. Gifting this handy gadget ensures decadent hot chocolate is always on the menu in their new home – or a comforting cup of tea, Americano or latte, if they prefer. It does it all (it can also turn your favourite slab of chocolate into a milky drink).
It keeps giving too; cosy nights in, afternoon pick-me-ups, or mugs to warm frozen hands in the winter – whatever the occasion, a café-quality hot chocolate is pretty much always the answer.
Personalised Hew Home Fridge Magnet
As we said earlier, buying something personalised is always a thoughtful touch and this fridge magnet is a sweet gift for first time homeowners.
Made from oak veneered plywood, you can customise the magnet with their new address to help them celebrate their big step (and remember that postcode...)
3.8L Air Fryer
GHI score: 91/100
Air fryers are pretty much a home essential at this point, so if your loved ones haven’t already got one, you’ll be doing them a huge favour. Not only do they make food deliciously crispy and deliver dinners in half the time, but they’re also more energy-efficient than switching on the oven when cooking for two or three people.
This model is on the smaller side but is a great option for beginners who want to flex their air frying muscles.
Home Sweet Home
If you’re not sure what appliances or decor they’ve already got (or indeed if they’ve got everything already), you can never go wrong with an edible gift. This Home Sweet Home biscuit tin from baking masters, Biscuiteers, features nine vanilla biscuits shaped as keys, bubbly and an array of furnishings.
Plus, after they’ve devoured the biscuits, the gorgeous tin will serve as handy storage.
Cast Iron Round Casserole 18cm
GHI score: 86/100
Buying and moving into a house is a huge investment – and so is a Le Creuset. Starting off your collection of the iconic cookware is a life milestone in itself, so why not help them out by gifting one when they move into their new home. Bonus points available if you can get the dish to match their kitchen interiors.
All jokes aside, this casserole dish lived up to its reputation on test, cooking dishes well and coming with a lifetime guarantee.
Acacia Wood Coasters with Holder
Coasters are another thing that isn’t considered an essential but are handy to have around the home to protect surfaces. This set comes in a black metal holder to keep them neat and tidy when not in use, while the coasters themselves are large enough to accommodate most mugs and glasses.
Washable Plain Shaggy Rug
GHI score: 85/100
Homes often feel empty without soft furnishings, so gifting this rug will help them add instant cosiness. What’s great about this rug in particular is that it’s washable, so any stains can easily be cleaned off (someone is bound to drop something at the housewarming party, after all).
With its shaggy pile and luxuriously soft feel, there’s no better way to make a house feel like a home.
Mini Waffle Maker
If you’re looking for a fun housewarming gift, stop scrolling. This mini waffle maker is here to transform lazy mornings in their new place. It preheats in around two minutes and is nicely compact for easy storage.
It only makes one waffle at a time, so might not be the best for families, but for couples, it’s ready to revolutionise Sunday brunch.
Our Florist's Pick
GHI score: 91/100
It’s not always possible to go and visit their new pad, so if you want to send a housewarming gift from afar, flowers are always a good choice. You can even get blooms that arrive packed in a box that fits through the letterbox, so you don't have to worry about them being out and they'll just need to arrange the flowers into a bouquet on arrival.
These blooms from our winning flower delivery service are handpicked by the brand’s florists and usually feature seasonal picks that burst into life within 48 hours of arriving.
Ribbed Stone Bottle Vase
Buying or sending flowers? You might want to check if they’ve got a vase to put them in. This one from Dunelm comes in a neutral earthy colour that will suit most aesthetics, and the ribbed style adds a bit of extra texture.
EK5857 Megastone Health Grill
GHI score: 93/100
A deep-filled toastie oozing with melted cheese is the ultimate comfort food, which is why this gadget makes such a failsafe gift. With this grill-style sandwich maker, they can stack up fillings, toast paninis, and even grill meat, making it a versatile piece of kit to add to a new kitchen.
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