Did you know that housewarming gifts have a meaning behind them? Just like anniversary gifts, the present wrapped up to congratulate a friend on their new home can have a significant meaning. So here are some ideas for housewarming presents that combine those customs alongside a handy gift or tasty treat…
Over the years I’ve had many wedding anniversary presents from my friends and family and they’ve been considerate enough to look up the meaning of the year, and choose a gift that suits the theme. From money boxes on our ‘tin’ anniversary to a gift voucher during our ‘paper’ year, those significant gifts have meant a lot to us.
Now that I’m a homeowner, I’ve been the recipient of some wonderful housewarming gifts. I was surprised to discover that many traditional new home gifts actually have a meaning behind them and can offer good wishes to the house and the people who live in it. But what do these gifts mean?
I read a blog post about traditional housewarming gifts and what they mean on the GiftsOnline4U website. The article covered wine, wood, rice, herbs, salt, bread, candles, olive oil and pineapples – did you even know that so many traditional presents existed? I had no clue that the gifts that our friends had been buying us were so significant, but now I know what they mean!
For example, one of my own go-to choices for a housewarming gift is a bottle of wine. In fact, I got my brother a bottle of bubbly when he bought his first house last month. To tell you the truth, I wouldn’t dream of arriving at a housewarming without a bottle! But I didn’t realise that the sentiment behind it was so significant. A gift of wine apparently comes with the blessing “may you always have joy and never go thirsty” – what a lovely message, eh?
This personalised new home wine featured in the housewarming gifts article
If you’re interested in finding out some of the meanings behind the other customary gifts in that list, have a read of their article on housewarming gifts here. In the meantime, I’ve come up with some ideas that I think any new homeowner will love and I’ve tried to incorporate some of those traditional items too.
PLANTS
If the new homeowner has a garden, they can easily pop a colourful plant into the garden to mark the start of their time in their new home. Even if there’s no garden to speak of, an indoor pot plant brings life into the home. If you choose a potted herb plant, this present incorporates the traditional meaning behind the gift of herbs/salt and they can keep it in the kitchen or plant it into the veggie patch. This doesn’t have to be an expensive gift if you can take cuttings from plants in your own garden and grow them on in pots. Wrap the plant pot in cellophane and ribbon for a pretty housewarming gift.
FOOD
There’s nothing I like to receive more than a foodie gift. Whether it’s Christmas, an anniversary or a birthday, giving someone the gift of food is great because it’s consumable, so it won’t take up space in their new home. Why not create a homemade hamper packed with those traditional gifts listed above – oil, wine, rice, herbs and bread – to give them a food basket that’s full of meaning? You could even bake a loaf yourself for that personal touch. If your friend is an avid baker themselves, a baking basket with bowl, whisk and cake tin could be the answer!
WOOD
The gift of wood always seems to have a significant meaning behind it, no matter what the occasion. For a new homeowner, consider giving them a personalised chopping board for their kitchen. Wood can be easily engraved with patterns and text, so all you have to do is come up with a meaningful message and arrange for it to be etched into a piece of wood. Add a selection of cheese and personalised wine to create an instant houseswarming party!
I came acros this personalised wooden chopping board in the housewarming gifts blog post
What do you think of these ideas? Let me know your own suggestions for housewarming gifts that have gone down well with your friends and family. And leave a comment to share what gifts you got when you moved into your new home that you’ve really treasured over the years.
This article is a sponsored collaboration. The pink links in the content indicate a sponsored link or information source. The blog post reflects my own experience and the sponsor hasn’t had any control over my content 🙂
