A few of my go-to items for the host, hostess, or newly-moved
There are so many ways to thank a host or hostess or to congratulate a friend on their new home. A handwritten note is a must, of course, after a dinner party, get-together, or weekend spent as a guest (my guide to selecting stationery is here).
Here are a some of my go-to hosting and housewarming gifts…
For the new homeowner
A bottle of Veuve, rose (you can’t beat a good one by Whispering Angel or Decoy), or your special bubbly of choice, and a full bunch of your friend’s favorite blooms are a wonderful gift. You might even bring along a few disposable champagne flutes (here and here) in case they haven’t unpacked those yet.
If your friend is still moving in, a gift certificate to UberEats, Seamless, Galley, or a similar service is a thoughtful gesture since cooking dinner is probably the last thing on their mind. Even better? Bring them a healthy dinner – on disposable dinnerware.
Bring your friend a few homemade brownies or a loaf of homemade bread wrapped in a tea towel tied together with kitchen twine. You can also do an assortment of smaller items, like a linen tea towel, chic bottle opener, and a few craft beers. The sky’s the limit here – and this is a great way to find something unique from their new neighborhood. One of our chic friends did this when we moved into our neighborhood and it was a warm welcome we’ll never forget.
A lovely candle also says “welcome home.” It’s a wonderful luxury that’s often an afterthought, especially as you’re looking to projects ahead with a new home. I prefer Jo Malone in either their bestselling Lime Basil and Mandarin or Orange Blossom. You can always count on a citrus scent to please nearly everyone’s palette, according to mom. I love the Wood Sage and Sea Salt or the Pomegranate Noir candle for men. I also love this Grapefruit scent by Nest. It was a housewarming gift I received from a dear friend and, while the candle itself is long gone, the scent remains one of my favorites. A candle also makes a perfect gift for the host or hostess.
For the host or hostess
Find out their preferred wine or drink of choice before the event. Hop to your nearest home decor boutique for a chic little wine bag for the hostess (like this one here, here, or here). For the host, I lean towards a wine bag out of linen, madras, or a good tartan in the winter (don’t the holidays make this so much easier?). This nautical chart wine bag and this lighthouse diagram bag are also recent favorites of mine. Remember that you can always forgo the wine bag and find a good wired ribbon to tie a bow around the neck of the bottle instead.
Bring a bunch of blooms that match the host or hostess’s decor. If you know their dining room is bright white with yellow accents, find blossoms of a complementary color. The same goes for their decor for the evening. If he or she is setting the table with soft purples and blues, an orange bouquet might be a bit out of place. Insta Stories often give this away, so be sure and check theirs first!
Always try to bring a vase if you’re bringing flowers to the host or hostess. It’s not a must, but it does make it easier on them so that they can continue on with what they’re doing (greeting guests or putting a finishing touch on the first course) instead of stopping to find something to put the blooms into to preserve them.
If this gifting guide was helpful, check out my earlier post on registry gifting for baby and bridal showers. Happy gifting!
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