25 *Actually* Thoughtful Gifts for New Homeowners, According to Etiquette Experts
Moving is always a huge event, and when you finally get to the step of buying your own home, it’s even more reason to celebrate! Whether upgrading to a larger space from your long-time apartment or keeping the same square footage, it’s a chance to celebrate yourself or someone special on this exciting milestone. If […]
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Moving is always a huge event, and when you finally get to the step of buying your own home, it’s even more reason to celebrate! Whether upgrading to a larger space from your long-time apartment or keeping the same square footage, it’s a chance to celebrate yourself or someone special on this exciting milestone. If you’re searching for a gift for a new homeowner and want some out-of-the-box ideas, we spoke with etiquette experts who helped us compile this gift guide for new homeowners.
Best Gift Ideas for New Homeowners at a Glance
Best Overall: FreshDirect, $79
Most Affordable Flatware Gift: Better Homes & Gardens River 20-Piece Gold Stainless Steel Flatware Set, $20
Best Gift for the Bathroom: Threshold x Target 3pc Luxe Coordinate Bath Bundle Set, $25
Best Kitchen Gift: Hearth & Hand KitchenAid Artisan 10-Speed Stand Mixer, $350 (originally $450)
Best Small Gift Set: Karma Gifts Tea Towel & Cutting Board Gift Set, $14 (originally $20)
Best Diffuser Gift: Nest Grapefruit Reed Diffuser, $62
Best Basket Gift: Picnic Time Parisian Picnic Basket, $64 (originally $99)
Best Towel Set: Parachute 2+2 Soft Rib Bath Bundle, $177 (originally $186)
Best Cocktail Shaker Gift: Gbuxska Glass Cocktail Shaker Set, $10 (originally $15)
Best Gift for Wine-Loving New Homeowners: Mark & Graham Scalloped Marble Wine Chiller, $69
What Are the Most Common Gifts for New Homeowners?
According to Nick Leighton, an etiquette expert and co-host of the weekly podcast, “Were You Raised By Wolves?” the most common gifts for new homeowners are often practical things like kitchenware, gift baskets, and home improvement tools. “Anything thoughtful that might help someone ease into their new space is usually a good bet,” he says.
Etiquette expert Jo Hayes also echoes that home goods are the best gift to wrap up, but she adds to think about gifting a fancy hand soap, a vase, a bottle of wine, and candles. “Target is your best friend when it comes to gifts for new homeowners,” Hayes shares. “Plenty of homewares, gardening equipment, and plants and flowers at reasonable prices.”
Don’t forget the wrapping! “Small items tastefully arranged in a basket is a classic approach,” Leighton explains. “However, traditional wrapping paper or gift bags will also work. Consider using furoshiki, traditional Japanese wrapping cloths for a particularly chic and environmentally friendly approach.”
Experts in This Article
Nick Leighton: An etiquette expert and co-host of the weekly podcast, “Were You Raised By Wolves?”
Jo Hayes: An etiquette expert and consultant and the founder of EtiquetteExpert.Org. Hayes is the only university-qualified etiquette expert in the world, having completed a Masters research thesis on etiquette and modern manners.
Ahead, see and shop 25 of the best gift ideas for new homeowners.
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. FreshDirect and Walmart are SheKnows sponsors, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
BEST OVERALL
FreshDirect
As new homeowners are adjusting to their new space, it’s essential to ensure they have meals to eat while they settle in. FreshDirect offers a solution by delivering groceries to their doorstep. And what could be more thoughtful than a six-month membership, which offers unlimited deliveries and no delivery fees, to provide them with a sense of comfort during this transition? This membership truly is a gift that keeps on giving. Note: This service is only available in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut—check to make sure your giftee lives in one of the FreshDirect delivery areas before ordering!
BEST GIFT FOR THE BATHROOM
Threshold x Target 3pc Luxe Coordinate Bath Bundle Set
This three-piece set from Threshold is a nice gift for a new homeowner. It instantly turns any bathroom into a luxurious space — all for $25!
BEST KITCHEN GIFT
Hearth & Hand KitchenAid Artisan 10-Speed Stand Mixer
Although pricey, this mixer sure does look pretty on a countertop. Plus, it’s a great helping hand in the kitchen. It features ten speeds that make whipping up recipes a breeze.
MOST AFFORDABLE FLATWARE GIFT
Better Homes & Gardens River 20-Piece Gold Stainless Steel Flatware Set
The Better Homes & Gardens River 20-Piece Gold Stainless Steel Flatware Set is an affordable gift, too. It’s $20 for 20 pieces of gorgeous cutlery — that’s just $1 apiece!
BEST SMALL GIFT SET
Karma Gifts Tea Towel & Cutting Board Gift Set
This pretty cutting board and towel gift set makes an adorable, customizable touch for a new homeowner. The towel can be purchased with the giftee’s initial.
BEST DIFFUSER GIFT
Nest Grapefruit Reed Diffuser
Nest fragrances are the best to have in your home — they smell divine and permeate the entire house. Plus, they look pretty on display.
BEST BASKET GIFT
Picnic Time Parisian Picnic Basket
This Parisian basket can serve as their weekly farmer’s market bag or as a display piece in the kitchen or the entryway table.
BEST TOWEL SET
Parachute 2+2 Soft Rib Bath Bundle
This rib towel bath bundle from Parachute is so soft, you’ll want to grab one for yourself. It has a luxurious rib design and vibrant colors.
BEST COCKTAIL SHAKER GIFT
Gbuxska Glass Cocktail Shaker Set
Create a gift basket for a new homeowner, and make sure that it includes an eye-catching cocktail shaker. No home is complete without tools to whip up refreshing drinks. Right now, you can get this thick, clear glass cocktail shaker for only $10!
BEST GIFT FOR WINE-LOVING NEW HOMEOWNERS
Mark & Graham Scalloped Marble Wine Chiller
Grand millennials will go crazy over this scalloped marble wine chiller! It’s hand-carved from hand-carved from marble and can be engraved for an additional charge.
Voluspa Cherry Gloss Classic Candle
Voluspa candles are another must-have for any home. “It’s the perfect classic,” a Nordstrom shopper said. “This product is absolutely flawless. From the exquisite packaging to the container design, every aspect is perfection. And let’s not forget about the delightful citrus and fruity scent — it’s simply heavenly!”
Anthropologie Dog Lamp
The Anthropologie Dog Lamp is one of the most sought-after home decor pieces. It’s made from polyresin with an antique gold finish and includes a fabric shade and a white cloth-covered cord.
Rifle Paper Co. Essentials Card Box
This card box contains greeting cards for every occasion. Each card features a beautiful garden party blue pattern and gold foil accents. You get 15 cards that are made for birthdays, thank yous, and more. There are also foil-stamped dividers to keep them organized. And when you’re out of cards, you can refill them with new packs of cards.
Via Carota Build Your Own Bar Bundle
The Build Your Own Bar Bundle from Via Carota is a thoughtful gift for a longtime friend who is a new homeowner. You select three expertly crafted ready-to-pour cocktails—browse between Old Fashionos, martinis, negronis, and more.
Caraway Cookware Set
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a kitchen newbie, the Caraway Cookware Set is a versatile choice. The pans, made with non-toxic materials that are free from heavy metals, PFAs, and more. The set’s versatility is a key feature, as it can be used for a wide range of cooking needs. The set features 12 non-stick pans, making it a comprehensive solution for all your cooking requirements.
Grown Alchemist Hand Wash in Cedarwood
Elevate their hand wash in their new home and replace it with the Grown Alchemist Hand Wash in Cedarwood. Trust us when we say this fragrance is the best. The wash features notes of lavender, ylang-ylang, vanilla, tangerine, and clary cedarwood oils.
Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom Gift Bag Set
Moving is stressful, so help a new homeowner unwind and relax with this nostalgic Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom gift bag set.
Courant Catch: 3 Essentials Tray
The Courant Catch: 3 Essentials Tray provides one place to charge your phone, hold jewelry and keys so you never lose anything in between unpacking.
MacKenzie Childs Enamel Utensil Holder
The MacKenzie Childs Enamel Utensil Holder boasts a brand’s classic print that the giftee will have for years to come.
Williams Sonoma Blue & White Ceramic Herb Tray with Pots, Set of 3
How pretty is this herb tray? Each one comes in Williams Sonoma’s Ming-style porcelain planters, all hand-painted in traditional blue and white.
Pura 4
The Pura 4 diffuses clean scents throughout the home. It allows you to customize and set your fragrance levels to your liking, controllable from the Puura app. All scents are separately.
Chamberlain Coffee Transparent Tumbler
Celebrate a move with a new coffee tumbler! The Chamberlain Coffee Transparent Tumbler holds 24 ounces of your favorite drinks so you can move around without spilling it throughout the home.
Serena & Lily Morro Porcelain Vase
The Serena & Lily Morro Porcelain Vases are an easy thoughtful gift for a new homeowner. They come in various sizes, but right now, you can score the small vase for just $38!
Bissell AeroSlim Lithium Ion Cordless Handheld Vacuum
Bissell’s cordless handheld vacuum makes cleaning smaller spaces in a new home a breeze. Most use it in the workspaces and in the refrigerate to pick up crumbs and dust.
Better Homes & Gardens Chunky Knit Charcoal Throw
Throws can cost over $50, but you can gift this affordable $20 throw blanket from BHG, which is the best dupe for Pottery Barn’s blankets.
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