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Housewarming Gift Ideas You are here: About > Home & Garden > Interior Decorating Home & Garden Interior Decorating Essentials Decorating for Fall Back to School All About Decorating Kids' Rooms It's Fall Showhouse Season Dorm Decorating Ideas Articles & Resources Beginner Decor Decorating Inspiration Elements of Decor Decorating by Room Decorating Styles Decorating Solutions Do-It-Yourself Projects Organize, Clean and Move Holiday Decor and Ideas Seasonal Decor Education and Careers Building and Remodeling Using Decorative Arts Articles Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Interior Decorating newsletter! See Online Courses Search Interior Decorating Housewarming Gift Ideas Email to a friend Printer friendly version Related Resources Gift Sources Housewarming Parties More Gift Ideas for Occasions About Interior Decorating Subscribe to the Free Newsletter Your Email Address: Moving into a new home is a time that's full of possibilies. Friends, family, and neighbors often share in the excitement by taking a housewarming gift to the new homeowners.
But what should you give? The answer depends partly on how well you know the recipients, and if you have insight into their personal tastes and preferences, their needs and wants.
For your closest friends, housewarming gifts can be personal, humorous, and special, while for new neighbors or acquaintances you may want to make more generic gift choices.
Housewarming gifts are the one type of gift that needn't always be formally gift wrapped. After all, plants, gift baskets, and other large items are difficult and unwieldy to wrap in gift paper. Instead, consider using tulle fabric or netting, clear cellophane, or even just a colorful bow to adorn your gift. Be sure to include a handwritten welcome card, and whenever possible, personally take the gift to the home and officially "warm" it with your good wishes.
Whatever your gift choice, make is something appropriate for you and for the recipients. There's nothing more discouraging than to receive a huge Victorian swan planter when your entire home is black and white contemporary. It's better receive something predictible rather than something inappropriate.
Here are our favorite -- and not so favorite -- gift ideas for housewarmings...
The Good
Give Something Classic
Simple beauty never goes out of style. A silver picture frame, a cut crystal bud vase, or a beautiful clock are objects that can fit into almost any home. Make it special by buying it in your friend's favorite store, or go all out and shop at Tiffany, Neiman Marcus, or other specialty store. For an extra touch, fill the frame with a personal photo, place a rose in the bud vase, or engrave the object with the move-in date.
Add to a Collection
Choose an object that your friends can add to a treasured collection -- things like an antique tin, a white ironstone bowl, or a silver napkin ring are possibilities for some collectors. Then add a little something extra to the gift... perhaps a mini box of truffles inside the tin, some wonderful tea in the ironstone bowl, or a small bouquet of flowers cinched with the napkin ring.
Gift Baskets
Choose a theme appropriate for your recipients and have fun putting together something creative. Just choose a themed container, several appropriate pieces to place inside, and tie it all up in cellophane and a pretty bow. Use package shred or crinkled tissue to cushion the items if necessary.
-- Gardening Bucket with garden tools, gloves, seeds, pruners, and gardening magazines
-- Just Add Water with a vase, stem cutters, floral design book, and a big bunch of fresh flowers
-- Paint Party in a Paint Tray with paint rollers, brushes, drop cloths, tape, 5 in 1 Tool
-- Starter Tool Box with tape measure, hammer, screwdriver, pliers, and assorted nails
-- Picture Hanging Kit with picture hangers and wire, nails, tape measure, level, and plumb line
-- Dinner Kit with a casserole, plates, utensils, paper cups, and a bottle of sparkling cider
-- Emergency Chocolate Kit for incurable chocoholics -- a candy tin or a basket, and a variety of chocolate candy, truffles, cookies, or freshly baked goods made of -- you guessed it -- chocolate !
Make Something Special
Gif the gift of yourself by presenting something you've made. Perhaps a flavored vinegar, shaped topiary, painted welcome sign, fireplace starters, a flower arrangement or an Easy Fruit Arrangment .
Toasting Flutes
Add to their wedding crystal, or choose unique toasting flutes especially for the occasion. Tie the stems with pretty bows, and include a bottle of bubbly to toast your friends in their new home.
Bridal Registry
Newly married couples can be easy to shop for since you may still be able to choose items from their wedding registry. If the registered gifts have all been given, you can look it over for clues to their chosen color scheme and style preference, then make appropriate gift choices that will fit into their decor. Consider placemats to go with their china, an additional setting or two of everyday dishes, or an alternate choice of colored glassware.
NEXT PAGE: More Good, Plus the Bad
1 | 2 | next Most Popular Video Bathroom Decoration Ideas Tag Sale Tips Creating a Craft Room Making a Personal Space Be Your Own Contractor See other videos at About.com Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About Poll: What would you do with $10 million? 1) Spend it 4) Pay bills 2) Donate 5) Save 3) Invest 6) Not sure Is New York City Safe? Tips for Women Travelling What's Hot Ideas for Decorating Balanced Decorating Lauri Ward Teen Room Decor Report from the 2002 Pasadena House of Design Holiday Living Room Makeover
Housewarming Gifts - Continued
Housewarming Gift Ideas: Continued You are here: About > Home & Garden > Interior Decorating Home & Garden Interior Decorating Essentials Decorating for Fall Back to School All About Decorating Kids' Rooms It's Fall Showhouse Season Dorm Decorating Ideas Articles & Resources Beginner Decor Decorating Inspiration Elements of Decor Decorating by Room Decorating Styles Decorating Solutions Do-It-Yourself Projects Organize, Clean and Move Holiday Decor and Ideas Seasonal Decor Education and Careers Building and Remodeling Using Decorative Arts Articles Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Interior Decorating newsletter! See Online Courses Search Interior Decorating Housewarming Gifts - Continued page 2 Email to a friend Printer friendly version Related Resources Gift Sources Housewarming Parties More Gift Ideas for Occasions About Interior Decorating Subscribe to the Free Newsletter Your Email Address: What to Give - What Not to Give Start a Tradition
Pass along one of your own family traditions, such as bringing an iron cricket on the hearth for good luck, a wreath to symbolize hospitality, or a guest book to record events and celebrations.
Give the Gift of Memories
Bring a photo album of your special times together. On the last page leave a space for a photo of their new home and write: "To be continued..." This can be an inexpensive gift that will be treasured now and in the future.
Transform the Ordinary
Flowering plants, green plants, plant baskets, or fresh flower arrangements can be a pretty ordinary gift -- or they can be
spectacular
. Choose, make, or order something really lush and gorgeous, decorated with bows, balloons, or ornaments, and placed in a beautiful container.
One Big Beautiful
... take your pick: vase, bowl, basket, cache pot, coffee table book, pitcher, or tray . Most people can use another one of these. Choose simple classic shapes and colors, or make it something special for a current holiday such as a blue bowl decorated with white stars for July 4th or a vase etched with little hearts for a housewarming close to Valentine's Day.
The Bad
Scraggly plants
Never give a plant or floral arrangement that looks like it has seen better days. This can be an additional problem in very hot or very cold weather too, since fresh greens can wilt quickly in temperature extremes. And never give a plant to someone who will have no interest in looking after it.
Pets
Never give something so personal as a pet, unless you know for a fact that this would be a welcome gift. Pets will demand a time and care commitment that many people are too busy to give.
Food
Be careful with food gifts. Candy will be all wrong for someone watching calories, while fresh fruit will be wasted if the recipients have an out of town trip coming up. Only when you know the person well can appropriate food items be chosen that will be welcomed.
Don't Ignore Their Taste
Perhaps you love antiques but your friends love contemporary. Don't force your preferences on them with an unwelcome gift of something only you think they "should" like. Chances are the gift will be a dud. Better to go with something "ordinary" than to strike out completely.
Recycled Gifts
Don't ever (repeat after me) -- don't ever give a gift that you've already received yourself, then rewrapped for someone else. It's tacky, and eventually someone will probably figure out what happened, then everyone will be embarassed.
Gift Sources
Where to Find Gifts
Use these sites as possibilities for great Housewarming Gift Sources .
Throwing a Housewarming Party
About's Entertaining Guide, Donna Pilato, has planning and menu suggestions for a terrific Housewarming Party .
See More of "Gift Ideas for Special Occasions..."
MORE Holiday Ideas
~ Glenna J. Morton previous | 1 | 2 Most Popular Video Bathroom Decoration Ideas Tag Sale Tips Creating a Craft Room Making a Personal Space Be Your Own Contractor See other videos at About.com Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About Poll: What would you do with $10 million? 1) Spend it 4) Pay bills 2) Donate 5) Save 3) Invest 6) Not sure Is New York City Safe? Tips for Women Travelling What's Hot Ideas for Decorating Balanced Decorating Lauri Ward Teen Room Decor Report from the 2002 Pasadena House of Design Holiday Living Room Makeover
unique gifts for her:
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Discover real leaves dipped into 100% pure 24k Gold or 1000 Silver that suit perfectly well as wedding accessories. If you are looking for original wedding ideas you will see that your bridesmaids , wedding attendants, mother of the bride and mother of the groom will be delighted by our leaf wedding jewelry! Find perfect birthday gift ideas in our handmade Celtic jewelry and Welsh lovespoons. Patagonia represented the Promised Land for the first settlers who arrived from Wales in 1865. Now they live in Gaiman, the Welsh town in Patagonia. You will also find unique alpaca and silver tea infusers that are perfect as business or executive gifts. Discover beautiful handcrafted tapestries, table runners and wall hangings inspired by Mapuche (South American native) art. They are lovely presents for mom or Mother's day ! Each one is made with 100% natural wool, hand spinned in a traditional "rueca" (spinning wheel), dyed with natural vegetal materials and weaved on a hand loom. Find original Christmas decor gifts too! We are retailers of unique gifts and handmade jewelry since 1997. All of our products represent the finest quality and highest standard of craftsmanship. Every gift is individually handcrafted by creative artisans from Patagonia, one item at a time, ensuring that every piece is as individual as the person who wears it. about PatagoniaGifts | contact | return policy | shipping | testimonials | site map | resources Patagonia Gifts United Kingdom Privacy Notice 2000-2005 Patagonia Gifts . All rights reserved. Birthday & wedding anniversary gift ideas: Unique gifts, Celtic jewelry, groomsmen gifts, yerba mate tea gourds, silver bracelets, earrings, pins and necklaces.
Housewarming Gifts - Continued
Housewarming Gift Ideas: Continued You are here: About > Home & Garden > Interior Decorating Home & Garden Interior Decorating Essentials Decorating for Fall Back to School All About Decorating Kids' Rooms It's Fall Showhouse Season Dorm Decorating Ideas Articles & Resources Beginner Decor Decorating Inspiration Elements of Decor Decorating by Room Decorating Styles Decorating Solutions Do-It-Yourself Projects Organize, Clean and Move Holiday Decor and Ideas Seasonal Decor Education and Careers Building and Remodeling Using Decorative Arts Articles Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Interior Decorating newsletter! See Online Courses Search Interior Decorating Housewarming Gifts - Continued page 2 Email to a friend Printer friendly version Related Resources Gift Sources Housewarming Parties More Gift Ideas for Occasions About Interior Decorating Subscribe to the Free Newsletter Your Email Address: What to Give - What Not to Give Start a Tradition
Pass along one of your own family traditions, such as bringing an iron cricket on the hearth for good luck, a wreath to symbolize hospitality, or a guest book to record events and celebrations.
Give the Gift of Memories
Bring a photo album of your special times together. On the last page leave a space for a photo of their new home and write: "To be continued..." This can be an inexpensive gift that will be treasured now and in the future.
Transform the Ordinary
Flowering plants, green plants, plant baskets, or fresh flower arrangements can be a pretty ordinary gift -- or they can be
spectacular
. Choose, make, or order something really lush and gorgeous, decorated with bows, balloons, or ornaments, and placed in a beautiful container.
One Big Beautiful
... take your pick: vase, bowl, basket, cache pot, coffee table book, pitcher, or tray . Most people can use another one of these. Choose simple classic shapes and colors, or make it something special for a current holiday such as a blue bowl decorated with white stars for July 4th or a vase etched with little hearts for a housewarming close to Valentine's Day.
The Bad
Scraggly plants
Never give a plant or floral arrangement that looks like it has seen better days. This can be an additional problem in very hot or very cold weather too, since fresh greens can wilt quickly in temperature extremes. And never give a plant to someone who will have no interest in looking after it.
Pets
Never give something so personal as a pet, unless you know for a fact that this would be a welcome gift. Pets will demand a time and care commitment that many people are too busy to give.
Food
Be careful with food gifts. Candy will be all wrong for someone watching calories, while fresh fruit will be wasted if the recipients have an out of town trip coming up. Only when you know the person well can appropriate food items be chosen that will be welcomed.
Don't Ignore Their Taste
Perhaps you love antiques but your friends love contemporary. Don't force your preferences on them with an unwelcome gift of something only you think they "should" like. Chances are the gift will be a dud. Better to go with something "ordinary" than to strike out completely.
Recycled Gifts
Don't ever (repeat after me) -- don't ever give a gift that you've already received yourself, then rewrapped for someone else. It's tacky, and eventually someone will probably figure out what happened, then everyone will be embarassed.
Gift Sources
Where to Find Gifts
Use these sites as possibilities for great Housewarming Gift Sources .
Throwing a Housewarming Party
About's Entertaining Guide, Donna Pilato, has planning and menu suggestions for a terrific Housewarming Party .
See More of "Gift Ideas for Special Occasions..."
MORE Holiday Ideas
~ Glenna J. Morton previous | 1 | 2 Most Popular Video Bathroom Decoration Ideas Tag Sale Tips Creating a Craft Room Making a Personal Space Be Your Own Contractor See other videos at About.com Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About Poll: What would you do with $10 million? 1) Spend it 4) Pay bills 2) Donate 5) Save 3) Invest 6) Not sure Is New York City Safe? Tips for Women Travelling What's Hot Ideas for Decorating Balanced Decorating Lauri Ward Teen Room Decor Report from the 2002 Pasadena House of Design Holiday Living Room Makeover
Christmas Gift Basket Ideas
Christmas gift and craft project ideas Make -Stuff .com | Crafts&Project | Kid Stuff | Cooking | Formulas&Remedies | Gardening | Holidays | Recycling | Sewing | Search | Gift Ideas 101 Christmas Gift Basket Ideas Decoupage Gift Boxes Tissue Paper Flowers Funny, Silly or Gag Gifts Christmas Coloring Pages Cute Snowman Pin Tootsie Pop Christmas Bouquet Orange/Lemon Clove Pomander Fluffy the (Bed Pillow) Snowman Personalized Gift Baskets Decorating C andy Xmass Tree (picture) Candy Cane Mice (picture) Baby food Jar Christmas Tree Centerpiece Doily Candy Bowls Christmas Candy Topiary - great centerpiece idea Doily Angel Christmas Tree Topper Sea Shell Angels Tiny Christmas Trees Santa Heart & Star Wreaths Nutty Wreath (picture) Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces Wreath Christmas Ball Ornament Wreaths Recycled CD's Christmas Wreath Easy Lace Christmas Wreath Grapevine Christmas Wreath Ornaments Angel Ornament Shell Ornaments Walnut Shell Ornament Ideas Quilted Ball Ornament Beaded Angel Ornaments God's Eye Ornaments Clay Pot Bell Ornaments Clothespin Ornaments Ideas for Clear Glass Ball Ornaments Decoupage Ornaments Styrofoam Ball Ornaments Gingerbread Christmas Ornaments Cinnamon Christmas Ornaments Cornstarch Christmas Ornaments Baker's Clay Christmas Ornaments More Christmas crafts at Craft Central Station The tradition of the Christmas stocking Christmas Links: Recycling Craft Ideas Santa Claus Light Bulb Ornament (picture) Mrs Claus Light Bulb Ornament (picture) Cardboard Tube Angel Soda Can Snowman Christmas Card Candy Holder Pop can Christmas tree -- Brown Paper Bag Reindeer Bleach Bottle Santa & Mrs. Santa Easy Christmas candle holders Wallpaper Jewelry and Kitchen Magnets Wallpaper Designer Candles Pop Bottle Snowman Cardboard Tube Wreath Egg Carton Christmas Bells Great Gifts in a Jar Cookies in a Jar using you own recipe Glendale's Pancake Mix Cornbread Mix Instant Spiced Tea Mix Hot Chocolate Mix Sand Art Brownie Mix Milk Bath Mix - great addition to a gift basket Holiday Recipes Sean's Pumpkin Soup - is this a dessert? Terri's Reindeer Sandwiches - Great for kids! Make Your Own Eggnog Percolated Cranberry Punch Christmas Wassail (spiced apple cider) Hot Mulled Cider Christmas Crunch Salad Ethel's Zucchini Loaf Candy and Confections Peanut Butter Cups Cream Cheese Candy Jingle Balls No-Bake Cookies Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Coffee Cake Christmas Tips Freshen up your linen for christmass - from our good friends at Craft Central Station Quickly Christmas Gift/Decorating Ideas - Need something quick? Need something cheap? Check here for small (but valuable!) ideas gathered from our recycling craft pages. Free Christmas Craft Supplies, Samples, Ideas & More - Free and postage only Christmas craft ideas, supplies, samples and more. Perfect for teachers, group leaders, parents, kids and adults. Make your gifts and stocking stuffers - free FREE! Offers from national craft manufacturers, designers, magazines and distributors. END CLICKTRADE: CHANGES PROHIBITED WITHOUT PERMISSION -- Formula for Fireproofing Christmas Trees Prolong the Life of Your Tree - Saw off the bottom of the trunk 1-2 inches and use a drill to bore a narrow hole up through the middle of the trunk. Fill the hole with cotton, tightly packed. Put the base in warm water as soon as possible. Warm water will melt the sap and allow the tree to drink more easily. It's been recommended to add one of these to the water as a preservative: a few tablespoons of glycerin, or a few tablespoons of sugar, a few crushed aspirins, or use one of the pre made"tree preserve" mixtures. Make Your Own Christmas Tree Snow Preserving Holly Leaves and Berries Christmas light storage - Wrap your lights around a paper towel tube to store them for next year. They won't tangle up as easily! Christmas ornament/decoration storage - Line egg carton cups with cotton, foam, or tissue paper and store small Christmas tree bulbs and ornaments in each cup. Christmas card recycling - Save Christmas cards and reuse them next year! Try these ideas... Christmas wrapping paper storage - Roll tightly, and stash bits and pieces of wrapping paper into the insides of cardboard tubes - if large enough, use for wrapping small packages next year, OR cut and fold and use for package tags. Home | Legal | Contact Us | Webmasters © 1998-2005 Make-Stuff. All rights reserved.