Gift Ideas

Overview

Don’t feel obliged to pick up a gift for the new homeowner, in most cases, people moving into a new house already have a lot of the things they need.
If you would like to get them a gift, check out some ideas below or simply print up a card to congratulate your friend or family member.

When researching this topic, the trouble we came across is that most sites recommend very specific gifts and brands. While some are very interesting, there are a lot of ideas to wade through and it can get frustrating. These sites are also based around consumer goods and are therefore hoping to inspire you with something to purchase. At Just a Token, we’re trying to look further and broaden our scope to free or inexpensive suggestions that involve activities, homemade goods or convenient options you can pick up easily in your own neighborhood. Have a look at the following steps to give you a little guidance…
Step #1. Check if your new homeowner is registered. Although this isn’t as common for a housewarming as wedding and baby showers, it is still done. If they’re registered and you want to keep things simple, you’re set.
Step #2. Think about what they NEED.
- Whether your giftee is using an eclectic mix of hand me down dishes, has back pain from their old bed or they’ve been using milk crates as bookcases for years, moving often inspires upgrades.
- If you’re looking for a little inspiration have a look at a few common categories: appliances, books & office supplies, bed & bath, electronics, furniture and kitchen.
Step #3. Now, give some thought to what they might WANT
- Don’t get too caught up in decor.
- It can be tempting to pick up an item you would love to have in your own house, but keep in mind that taste in decor varies widely. Don’t assume because you love it, your giftee will as well. Unless they gave you a specific wishlist or guidelines, use caution with your choices here.
- We encourage you to consider more intangible or consumable options that don’t take up precious space in the new house. For example:
  - A bottle of wine
  - A home cooked meal
  - Restaurant gift card
  - Home improvement course
  - Gift card for arts & crafts
  - Flowers
  - Alcohol
  - Candles
  - Grocery gift card or meal delivery
- Or think about simple, but often overlooked, options that every new home could use:
  - Picture hanging kit (store-bought or homemade; could include small nails, various hooks, drywall anchors, wire, a level, hammer, etc.)
  - Paper towel, toilet paper
  - Doormats
On a budget?
- Take your giftee for a picnic at a park in their new neighborhood.
- Offer to give your giftee a massage for all the aches and pains that moving has caused.
Don’t live near your giftee? Think about gifts that keep on giving like a gift of the month subscription. There are tonnes of options out there (eg: beer, books, coffee, socks, tea, wine, etc).
Think outside the box: incorporate our Elements theme with some gifts that can easily be used in a new house. Eg: soil for their garden/plants (earth), a candle (fire), air freshener, bottle of water.
Still struggling to figure out that perfect gift? If your giftee already has everything they need, consider donating to those who don’t. There are plenty of great charities out there that help put a roof over the heads of those less fortunate. Local shelters or organizations like Habitat for Humanity are great options.
Have an idea we haven’t covered here? Let us know and we’ll try to add it to our suggestions.

Wrapping

Try wrapping your gift with plain paper and applying pictures of keys and houses onto the gift, or draw them on yourself.
Try wrapping your gift like a house. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Wrap a box in plain paper and simply fold a piece of cardboard for the roof. Add a personal touch and draw a door and windows…like you did when you were a kid.
Tie a small housewarming related item into the ribbon around the gift (eg: a keychain).
For smaller gifts, add a unique touch by making your own box.

Presentation

Use quotes or phrases that relate to your theme when you present the gifts or in your card. For example:
- “There’s no place like home” ~L. Frank Baum
- “Home is where the heart is” ~Pliny the Elder
- Home, sweet home.