The word "love" is laid out of a red thread. The house is a symbol of housewarming.

Whether you’ve been invited to a friend’s housewarming party, a small dinner party at a family member’s new home, or you want to welcome your new neighbors to the neighborhood, housewarming gifts are a wonderful gesture. At Foster Van Lines, we’re particularly fond of the tradition, after watching thousands of our customers receive housewarming gifts of all kinds over the years.

From thoughtful items to the most unconventional ones and everything in-between—our Bay Area movers have seen it all. To help you find inspiration for making a lasting impression on your favorite new homeowners, consider the following tips for choosing a brilliant housewarming gift from our team at Foster Van Lines.

Focus on Simple, Sweet, and Appreciated Gifts

One of the simplest, sweetest gifts we’ve seen over and over again is a longstanding American tradition, and it’s just as popular as a housewarming gift now as it was back when Foster Van Lines was founded in the 1940s. Warm, homemade, and oh-so-satisfying, this gift is a winner—especially after a long and exhausting week of moving a long-distance.

Have you guessed it yet?

The answer is the old-fashioned pie—perhaps the most quintessential housewarming gift around, and quite possibly, one of the most appreciated as well. If we’re being perfectly honest, however, we have noticed that more and more pies in recent years are store-bought and not homemade—although this never seems to make it less appreciated.

Give the Gift of a Nutritious Meal

While a pie, or even a pizza or frozen lasagna, can be a wonderful gift for new homeowners on or around moving day, these types of gifts might not be appropriate for those who haven’t had a chance to settle in. If you’re invited to a more formal event—like a housewarming party for a co-worker or a large gathering in the brand-new home of a friend—hot or frozen foods might not be the best choice for the occasion.

If that’s the case, and you’re still into the idea of giving food, consider a food subscription box service. Meal service companies like Blue Apron and Hello Fresh have become quite popular in recent years by offering high-quality, nutritious meals, recipe kits, and more right to your doorstep. Bottles of wine are also a fantastic housewarming gift for friends, family, co-workers, and anyone else that’s over the legal drinking age.

Help Them Freshen their Home With Scented Candles and Incense

If you’re not interested in giving food or drinks as a housewarming gift, we have another option for you. Air fresheners—whether they’re scented candles, sprays, potpourri, or incense—can be a wonderful gift that’s useful, decorative, and pleasurable, all at once.

Unless you know the homeowner’s taste extremely well, don’t bother looking for distinct, bright designs or over-the-top scents. Stick to neutral, earth-toned packaging for the air fresheners you choose, as well as smooth and gentle fragrances instead of sharp, strong ones.

Remember the Beauty of the Gift Card

As boring and bland as it may be, the gift card is highly useful and always welcome—although they are also one of the most underrated housewarming gifts of all. Gift cards can be a lifesaver for those that are running late, out of ideas, or simply hoping to give a gift that will actually get used and not stashed away in a corner or re-gifted at the next possible moment.

If you’re afraid that a gift card might seem impersonal, you can always make the effort to find a store that the homeowner might particularly enjoy. For instance, consider getting a gift card to a small, unknown antique shop for an antique collector or a fashionable boutique you’ve seen that you’re certain they’ll love. If you’re still drawing a blank, have no fear—a gift card from the Pottery Barn, Home Depot, or Lowe’s is sure to be well-appreciated.

Since 1941, Foster Van Lines has grown from a humble cottage industry service company to one of the most respected moving companies in the area, and our local movers know that small details—like a thoughtful housewarming gift—can make all the difference in a pleasant moving experience. If you’d like more information about our superior moving services, give our expert Bay Area movers a call today, or fill out our online form to request a free, in-home price quote.