Over on my personal blog today, I’m hosting an online housewarming party for a friend of mine who just moved to Florida. Like any internet savvy woman, she’s made an Amazon Wish List for herself so that we all have loads of ideas of things to buy for her new house.
If only ever party invitation we got came with a link to an Amazon Wish List!
Alas, no. More often than not we have to use our own noggins and try to guess what would make the perfect gift for someone else’s new home.
10 Housewarming Gift Ideas:
Alora Ambience Reed Diffuser
The rental company that manages my friend’s new home used these amazing reed diffusers. It was the very first thing we noticed when we walked into the house.
The verde scent smells like fresh cut grass and makes you feel like you’re standing in a clean home on a crisp spring day.
It’s to die for.
It’s also expensive as hell and not the kind of thing most people would buy for themselves. Even in my own home I stick with Bath & Bodyworks Wallflower units. I’m ashamed to say this – but these smell much better than anything I’ve ever used before.
Available online from Alora Ambiance.
Cookbook Holder
I recently bought one of these for my own home after seeing one in my sister-in-law’s kitchen.
It’s one of those little luxuries that a lot of women don’t think about buying for themselves, which makes it a great gift.
It’s also a practical gift for someone who loves to cook. This makes life in the kitchen so much easier when you no longer have to anchor down the pages of your cookbook with bowls and utensils while you try to follow a recipe.
Cast Iron Cookbook Holder available at Target and Amazon
Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker
Do you remember making homemade ice cream as a kid? We used to take turns working the crank and adding the salt. It took hours, but made the best soft serve ice cream you can imagine.
This does the job in about 30 minutes with no cranking.
I’m especially fond of the ice cream maker because I try to eat low carb and it’s very difficult to find truly low carb ice cream in grocery stores. However, you can very easily make your own at home with your own ice cream maker.
Cuisinart 1-1/2-Quart Automatic Ice Cream Maker available on Amazon
3 Tiered Dessert Stand
I actually do not have one of these and I wish I did.
I love entertaining. Every time I’ve moved into a new home, one of the first things I’ve done is imagined myself having friends and family over for dinner parties and casual get togethers.
This is the kind of gift where you don’t have to worry about matching their style or existing kitchen decor. Go with something neutral, like this silver version.
And don’t worry if your new homeowners don’t bake! Each tier can hold anything you’d put on a plate – whether that’s a cake or finger sandwiches (which I saw done in a tea room recently).
3 TIER DESSERT STAND available at Amazon
Wilton Armetale Chip and Dip Bowl
Again with the gifts for entertaining.
And this? Is so much cooler than a plastic bowl that looks like a sombrero.
This is one of those gifts that will last forever and get used constantly. And every time it makes an appearance, the lucky recipient of this gift will get compliments – and think of you.
And isn’t that what makes the perfect gift?
Wilton Armetale Chip and Dip Bowl available on Amazon
Stainless Steel Tabletop Wine Cooler
If a guest brings red wine, your ready to serve.
But what happens if they bring white wine? Or, if they are like me, and they keep white wine in a wine rack and forget to put it in the refrigerator ahead of time so that it can be properly chilled?
Normally I offer to throw a few ice cubes in m guests’ glasses and am met with groans and massive eye rolling. If I had a tabletop wine cooler, I’d be all set and the wine would flow freely – and properly chilled – all night long!
This is a great alternative to a wine refrigerator if you have a friend moving into a small space.
Stainless-Steel Tabletop Wine Cooler available on Amazon
RedEnvelope Appetizer Set
This is, again, exactly the kind of thing that you never buy for yourself and only wish you had when you are serving olives and mixed nuts out of butter tubs you washed out for just this occasion.
Don’t tell me I’m the only one.
This set is not only functional, but beautiful. And when you’re buying something for someone else, it’s nice to go for more than just function.
cubist appetizer serving set available on Amazon
Wispy Floral 16 piece set from Mikasa
Perhaps it says something about my class of friends that very few people I know have real dishes or matching dishes.
This is a beautiful, simple pattern from Mikasa that is perfect for everyday use.
The set includes 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, 4 bowls and 4 mugs.
And the best part? It’s only $59.99. That’s a great deal for high quality dishes sure to make anyone feel like a grown up.
Not, you know, like that’s an issue for anyone. I’m sure.
Wispy Floral 16 piece set available from Mikasa
Mikasa Vase
Every home should have a beautiful place to put flowers.
More specifically, every woman should have a beautiful crystal vase to display the flowers her loved ones give to her.
I like this design because it’s versatile. It’s not overly intricate, so it will work with even the most casual or contemporary home decor. But it’s still absolutely a touch of something special.
It’s also on clearance for less than $30. JACKPOT!
Mikasa Vase available online from Mikasa – $29.99 Clearance
Monogram Wine Stopper
I get sentimental about my name when I’m embracing a new home. I don’t know what it is, but I am excited about putting my name on my mailbox – and anything else that will hold still long enough for me to claim it as my own.
This bottle stopper runs along the same vein as other gifts in the “entertainment” category – but it has a special personalized touch that makes it uniquely their own.
I think you can also get away with this when someone gets married. That’s the only other time I can think of when people become so enthralled with the idea of stamping their name – or at the very least their initials – on everything.
And this is much classier than taking a label maker to the wine cork.
Monogram Wine Stopper available from Wild Orchid
Posted in top holiday gifts Tagged: amazon, cooking, for the home, gift guides, gifts for women, holiday gift ideas, holiday gifts, housewarming gift ideas, kitchen gadgets, kitchens, mikasa, personalized, things to buy her, utensils, wild orchid
That reed diffuser does smell awesome. I might have to get one. Maybe. Can’t decide.
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Man, I’m telling you…that Alora stuff should be less expensive so everyone can enjoy it!
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I love the cook book holder and the dishes. Even if you aren’t using them, they are still pretty.
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I first came across the reed diffusers in Italy. Love them. I have a couple of small ones in my bathrooms. One, from Bed, Bath & Beyond, is OK. The other is from Pottery Barn and is really nice. It’s possibly a cheaper solution.
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I would move just so you’d buy me that wine cooling thing. Keep this in mind for future reference.
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Pottery Barn usually has a good selection of reed diffusers (you know that you have to flip the reeds when they start to dry out)and come in two sizes.
The Bath and Body Works Wallflowers come in about 30 different scents and burn much cleaner than the ones you find in the grocery store.
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Ah and you know what, everyone would be excited about the Ice Cream Maker.
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I got a wine stopper as one of my gifts for being a bridesmaid.
Problem is, I never have leftover wine!
Who, me? Drink too much?!
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I love a cookbook holder! (hint).
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Have you ever tried any Caldrea products? I highly recommend. Super nice candles, cleaning products, lotions…. oh my. You will love.
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AHEM, you might know someone who’s moving to GA who could use some of these things too! Just saying
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We have that ice cream maker. It rules.
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