I’m so thankful to have stayed at friends’ homes when I’ve visited, taking over their guest bedrooms and couches, and waking up and meandering downstairs to a fresh cup of tea and maybe a baked good if I’m lucky. I do my best not to come empty handed, knowing that taking a weekend to host a friend in town isn’t always easy, even though it’s fun.
These gifts also work for friends who recently moved into new apartments or bought homes to share your excitement in their new place.
1: Follain Hand Soap – $14 for 8oz
My favorite last minute gift to give almost anyone, but especially as a housewarming gift. It is truly the best soap, made of clean ingredients and smells like heaven. Bonus points for also being a Boston local women-owned company. You can find the lavender scent in my bathroom and lemongrass in my kitchen in my own home.
2: Address stamp $25 – $39
If you are able to plan ahead on this one, you can order in advance (I often find groupons for these) or buy a stamp kit from Papersource for someone to choose their own. I found picking one for my decision-fatigued sister made sure they actually bought one, but it was fun to give a kit to a friend who I knew would have a lot of fun with it.
3: A candle
One of the more obvious suggestions – but I truly think they are always a good idea. Candle #1 from Follain ($38) is my favorite to give, but also recently love this Botanica brand of candles (I have Nirvana but struggled to choose because I loved them all). You also can’t go wrong with a few of my Target favorites (Cardamon and Vetiver here for $13 and Sandalwood and Smoke for $12)
This one might be unpopular because you don’t know what someone has in their kitchen, but I honestly feel like anyone who hosts people could always use a nice set of tongs, because they are most likely serving with their cooking tongs. These from Crate & Barrel are my favorite at $20.
5: Olive Oil
Underrated but always appreciated, good olive oil can really make a difference in a meal. I am partial to Boston Olive Oil company if you’re local to Boston, Stonehouse olive oil if you’re local to California, and have heard great things about Brightland olive oil, too.
6: Wine
Again an obvious choice, but I feel like works best for most people. I love to gift something I’ve tried or something I get in my wine club I can’t shut up about.
My dad sends my sister and I See’s at Halloween and Easter and I’m always reminded just how great they are. Barring any nut or dairy allergies, this is a classic gift everyone will appreciate. If you’re lucky they might even share!
8: A Cookbook
Can be questionable depending on who you’re going to see, but a cookbook is also a cute idea as a housewarming gift. I can confirm I’ve made some great things from this one from Two Peas and Their Pod and have been eyeing Cook This Book by Molly Baz and Half Baked Harvest’s Super Simple Recipes.
9: Fire Escape Ladder (if they are in a two-floor home)
This one is also very questionable, but can confirm I bought one of these for friends after I visited when we were talking about them as children. Falls in the category of things you never want to use, but should probably buy. Also in this category is a nice flashlight, fire blanket and emergency radio.
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