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Traditional Gifts For New Homeowners
Housewarming parties started in medieval times when they were held to, literally, warm the house as the new homeowners moved in. Neighbors would come with firewood and light up the hearth not only for warmth, but to chase off any bad spirits that might have been lurking about. While we have many creative housewarming gift options today, we thought it would be fun to take inspiration from historical housewarming gift traditions and reinterpret them for modern day. Use this gift list to inspire your unique gifts and housewarming gifts:- Bread
- Olive oil
- Honey
- Houseplant
- Knife
- Rice
- Wine
- Wood
- Salt
- Coin
- Pineapple
- Sugar
- Broom
- Candle
1. Bread
Bread is a common traditional housewarming gift. The gift of a loaf of bread is traditionally given with the blessing of “May your house never know hunger.” Personalize this gift idea even further by wrapping it in a custom tea towel. Or rather than giving a freshly baked loaf of bread as a housewarming gift, an electronic bread maker could be an updated option. Throw in a few bread-making ingredients to get their baking journey started, and you may even score a few brownie points.
2. Olive Oil
Olive oil blesses the new home and family with the meaning of “May you be blessed with health and well-being.” Olive oil tasting kits and balsamic vinegar make excellent additions for this housewarming gift that doubles as cute home decor. Combine the gift with a personalized card and it is sure to be adored.
3. Honey
Honey isn’t just a sweet addition to anyone’s household, it’s also a meaningful housewarming present. The gift of honey means “May you always enjoy the sweetness of life.” Make your gift extra special by packaging it in a sustainable and personalized mason jar.
4. Houseplant
Help your friends and family add a bit of style and nature to their new space with a bit of plant life. A gifted houseplant means, “May your home always have life.” Houseplants are great housewarming gifts because of their ability to brighten up any space while controlling the indoor climate to keep your loved ones comfy year-round.
5. Knife
A gift of knives blesses the new house owners that their home “may always be protected from intruders.” However, some other cultures may see a lone knife as a bad sign, so you may want to consider adding a cutting board or cooking aprons to the gift set.
6. Rice
Rice is a home staple, making it an excellent housewarming gift. It means, “May the love in your home multiply.” Present this gift in a personalized glass jar for something the house owners are sure to love.
7. Housewarming Wine
Wine remains one of the most classic housewarming traditions. Whether it’s their favorite label or simple something you think they’d like, they’re sure to appreciate this gift. The meaning of “May you always have joy and never go thirsty” also looks great printed on a set of wine glasses for the new homeowners.
8. Wood
A gift of wood means “May your home have stability, harmony, and peace.” Great gift ideas include kitchen supplies, wooden baskets or bowls, or even personalized wood wall art. Wood often makes for great decorative gift ideas. Bonus: if you’re searching for anniversary gifts by year, wood is the traditional gift of choice for fifth-year anniversary gifts.
9. Traditional Salt Housewarming
Salt is an extremely traditional housewarming gift, and it’s useful in every household. Salt symbolizes the blessing of “May there always be flavor and spice in your life.” You can also gift herbs and spices with this present idea.
10. Coin
The gift of coin comes with the blessing of “May you receive luck and good fortune.” It’s also a great idea to gift coins with something practical or personalized for their home, such as a custom keepsake box.
11. Pineapple
Pineapple housewarming gifts originated in colonial times as a way to say “May you enjoy good cheer, warmth, and celebration.” Consider delivering this gift along with kitchen supplies or a nice basket.
12. Sugar
Gifts of sugar are used to symbolize “May your life will always be filled with sweetness.” As an added treat, consider creating a personalized glass jar or personalized mug with the homeowners’ names to hold the sugar. Alternatively, you can gift a sugar scrub.
13. Broom
Brooms are an old, traditional gift for homeowners that symbolizes the blessing, “May your home always be clean.” It’s always used as a blessing to help ward off bad spirits from the home.
14. Personalized Candle
Candles make a great housewarming gift for almost anyone. They also carry the meaning, “May you always have light through the darkest of times.” Customize a special candle set for the homeowners to light and warm the house.
Housewarming Traditions
The following poems and blessings are perfect additions for any traditional housewarming gift. Check out the traditional sayings below and pick your favorite to attach to a personalized gift or to include in a card.Housewarming Poem and Blessing
“May God grant you always
A sunbeam to warm you
A moonbeam to charm you
A sheltering angel so nothing can harm you
Laughter to cheer you
Faithful friends near you
And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you.”
Irish House Toast
“May joy and peace surround you,
Contentment latch your door;
And happiness be with you now,
And bless you evermore.”
Irish Home Blessing
“God bless the corners of this house and be the lintel blessed.
And bless the hearth and bless the board and bless each place of rest.
Bless each door that opens wide to strangers and to kin.
And bless each crystal windowpane that lets the sunshine in.
And bless the rooftree overhead and every sturdy wall.
The peace of man, the peace of God, the peace of love to all.”
Housewarming Blessings
“And thus you shall greet him: ‘Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have.” – 1 Samuel 25:6
“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” – Proverbs 24:3-4
A Traditional Housewarming
“Bread, so you never go hungry.
Wine, so your life is always sweet.
Salt, so there is always spice in your life.
And a Candle, so you always have light.”
