Home > Living > Gifting > 16 Unique Housewarming Gift Ideas You Haven’t Thought of

16 Unique Housewarming Gift Ideas You Haven’t Thought of

unique housewarming gifts

This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive commission for purchases made through these links. Price at time of publish date may change.

Finding the best housewarming gift ideas can feel surprisingly tricky. You want something thoughtful that actually earns a spot in their new place, but still useful enough to make everyday life a little easier. Whether you are heading to a laid-back gathering or a full housewarming party, the right present helps your hosts settle in with style.

Typical gifts include a bottle of wine, a scented candle, or a sweet treat, but there are plenty of variations that feel a little more special. Most people spend between $25 and $75, choosing something meaningful rather than extravagant. A gift is always appropriate for a housewarming party, and a little token is appreciated the first time you see the space. The only exception is moving day or a quick drop-in, when your time (or hands) is more valuable than anything wrapped. With all that in mind, we’ve found 15 housewarming gifts that are thoughtful, useful, and just unexpected enough to feel unique.

01

Sweets Tin Jewelry Box

Anthropologie

$34.00

Bringing a tin of cookies is a classic housewarming move, but showing up with a jewelry box that looks like one is far more fun. This sweet little keepsake adds instant personality to a new space and gives bracelets, rings, and tiny treasures a charming new home of their own.

02

iambuniStudio Custom Dog Portrait

Etsy

$41.52

This custom pet portrait is a housewarming gift that instantly warms up a new space. It turns a beloved pet into display-worthy art and adds a personal touch that makes the home feel lived in from day one. Thoughtful, playful, and completely unique, it is the kind of gift people remember.

03

Match Striker Bouquet

Uncommon Goods

$48.00

Finally, a bouquet that doesn’t need watering! This playful striker setup keeps matches within reach and makes lighting a candle feel like a big event. Perfect for a housewarming when you want something both pretty and practical.

04

Ceramic Butter Dish

Uncommon Goods

$48.00

This ceramic butter dish looks exactly like a stick of butter, right down to the playful details—which makes it a quick conversation starter in any new kitchen. It’s practical enough for everyday use yet cheeky enough to feel like a surprising delight whenever it’s pulled out.

05

The Jane Austen Gift Set: A Puffin In Bloom 3-Book Collection

Amazon

$37.01

This trio of Jane Austen classics comes dressed in Rifle Paper Co.’s gorgeous floral covers, which means their new bookshelf gets a glow-up in style and taste. It’s a witty, charming gift for anyone who wants their reading habit to look as good as it feels.

06

Marie Blue with Gold Rim Coupe Glasses, Set of 6

CB2

$74.00

​​These blue coupe glasses bring a little glamour to any space, with a gold rim that turns each pour into a chic celebration. They look great on an open shelf and even better in action, especially if you volunteer to be the resident bartender for the night. It is a gift and a party trick all in one.

07

Piecework Puzzles Après Ski 1000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle

Nordstrom

$40.00

Fondue, cocktails, and full alpine energy come packed into this 1,000 piece puzzle, making it an fun vibe-setter for a new living room. It invites cozy nights in, sparks good conversation, and turns a quiet evening into a low-stakes competition that everyone can join.

08

Maldon Sea Salt Flakes

Amazon

$15.00

Great cooks know this is the ultimate flakey sea salt—the kind that makes even simple dishes something special with its clean, delicate crunch. Gifting a whole bucket feels like hitting the seasoning jackpot, the kind of pantry upgrade that makes meals a little more gourmet.

09

Mignon Resin Spreaders, Set of 6

Anthropologie

$36.00

These colorful resin spreaders level up any cheese or snack board, and bring a dose of personality to the party. Each one has its own pattern, so they feel equally playful and chic. Pair them with a few of your host’s favorite cheeses and you suddenly look like the guest who really knows what they’re doing.

10

Scalloped Leather Keychain

Mark & Graham

$29.00

Nothing says “welcome home” quite like giving their brand new keys something stylish to hang out on. This scalloped leather keychain comes personalized with the hosts initials and is playful, polished, and just fancy enough to make them remember to take their keys every time they leave.

11

Wiggle Doormat

West Elm

$49.00

A whimsical wiggle doormat is basically an instant mood lifter. This playful coir design announces that fun people live here and it also happens to catch dirt like a champ. Consider it their new front door’s first personality trait.

12

Emile Henry Candy Rose Madeleine Loaf Pan

Crate & Barrel

$62.95

Show up to the housewarming with a loaf of fresh banana bread in this pan that’s anything but ordinary. The candy-rose color and funky scalloped shape turn even the most basic baked good into something they will want to brag about. It is practical enough to use but cool enough to earn you first dibs on whatever they bake next.

13

Furbo 360° Dog Camera

Amazon

$210.00

A new place can be exciting for humans but a little confusing for pets, so this smart camera quickly earns hero status. It lets your hosts check in, chat, and even launch treats to their furry sidekick while they are out. A gift that makes settling in easier for the whole household.

14

Krista Marie Young Checkered Oven Mitt

West Elm

$75.00

A chic oven mitt is never the thing you splurge on for yourself, which is exactly why it makes such a great gift. This checkered version from West Elm adds personality to a new kitchen and makes even rushed weeknight dinners feel a little more fun.

15

ArtifaqtDesign Heirloom Tomato Beeswax Candles

Etsy

$24.00

Giving someone a candle is a conventional move, but giving them an heirloom tomato candle is the kind of surprise they will talk about long after the boxes are unpacked. It is quirky, cheerful, and guaranteed to earn a prime spot on the counter before they even plug in the toaster.

16

Gurgle Glug Jug The Bubble Jug

Amazon

$39.95

Give their dinner party carafe an unexpected twist with this fish shaped ceramic pitcher that lets out a cheerful gurgle every time it pours. It works as a water jug, a conversation starter, and a quirky little wink of personality that brightens a new space.

Cool Experience Gift Ideas for the Adventurous Person on Your List

What’s better than gifting memories that’ll last a lifetime?

Read More

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Thumbnail

Erica Finamore

Erica Finamore is a writer and editor with more than ten years of experience telling stories about homes, travel, food, and everyday living. Most recently, she was the Home & Travel Director at Real Simple, where she shaped design features, curated gift guides, and helped bring the brand’s annual showhouse to life. She’s also worked with HGTV Magazine, Food Network Magazine, and InStyle. When she’s not writing about inspiring spaces or dreamy destinations, she’s probably out walking her dachshund, Leslie Knope, or scrolling Facebook Marketplace for vintage art finds.

⚖️ How We Choose What to Recommend

Love This Item?