15 Thoughtful Housewarming Gift Ideas for Best Friend They’ll Cherish Forever
Moving into a new house or your first home is a milestone. As someone who loves giving gifts, I’ve realized the best presents are the ones that are personal, unique, cool, or even a little unusual—but also affordable and easy to enjoy. In this post, I’ll share 15 housewarming gift ideas for best friend that blend thoughtfulness and fun, plus tips on how to choose the best gift for that homeowner in your life. I’ll even include some of my favorite Amazon finds. (Yes, I tested them out so you don’t have to!)
This post may contain affiliate links at no extra cost to you. Please read our full disclosure here to find out more.
How to Choose the Best Housewarming Gift for Your Best Friend
- Consider Their Personality & Style — Are they minimalist, maximalist, fun-loving, artistic? What décor vibe do they love?
- Think About Their Home Situation — First home vs. rental vs. being a landlord, small apartment vs. large house. Landlord rules matter for things like nails-in-walls décor or outdoor items.
- Set a Budget — You don’t need to break the bank. Simple and affordable doesn’t mean boring.
- Add a Personal Touch — Customization, engraved names, or something related to inside jokes make it more than a gift—it’s a memory.
- Prioritize Usefulness + Sentiment — Gorgeous yet impractical items often get tossed aside. Balance beauty with function.
15 Thoughtful Housewarming Gift Ideas for Best Friend
1. Personalized “Home Sweet Home” Sign
A custom wooden sign, maybe with their name or move-in date, says “you belong here.” It’s unique and gives their new house a warm, welcoming feel.
2. Cozy Basket of Move-In Essentials
This is one of my favorite “first home” basket ideas: towels, candles, maybe a fancy soap, chocolate, some snacks. It’s both simple and thoughtful, and baskets are always a win because they package up caring & usefulness together.
3. DIY Scented Candles or Handmade Decor
If you’re crafty, a diy gift shows extra love. I once made soy candles with custom scents for my friend who loves lavender & chamomile—every time she lights it, she smells memories of that housewarming night.
4. Unique Indoor Plants or Succulent Arrangements
Plants are cool, unusual, and bring life to a bare room. Succulents are especially low-maintenance—good for a busy homeowner or someone who’s not into high maintenance décor.
5. Custom Doormat with Their Family Name or Address
It gives off that “home sweet home” vibe and is also super personal. Plus, it works even in rentals (just wipe it off now and then!).
6. Cheese Board Set
A stylish board, some utensils—perfect for hosting, or for nights in. This kind of fun gift is something they might not splurge on themselves, but will use often.
7. Thoughtful Recipe Book for New Homeowners
Especially if your friend is moving into their first house and loves cooking. Pair it with a few ingredients or spice jars to make it even more personal.
8. Cool Smart-Home Gadgets
Think smart plugs, smart lights, a digital assistant. Makes life easier when they’re dealing with all the chaos of a move in.
9. Personalized Kitchen Towels or Aprons
Simple, personal, and they get used all the time. I gave my best friend aprons with her nickname embroidered. She loved seeing it during her first dinner party in her new house.
10. Fun Game Night Basket
Board games, card games, snacks, cozy blanket. Great for breaking in the home with laughter.
11. Unique Artwork or Wall Prints
An unusual art print can become a conversation starter. If possible, pick something that aligns with their aesthetic or matches something they already own.
12. DIY Housewarming Gift Basket with Homemade Treats
Bake something, make jams, cookies—包 them in jars or pretty packaging. The edible + homemade = super heartwarming.
13. Custom Key Holder or Organizer
Especially useful if they’re a new homeowner juggling keys. A key rack, a stylish tray—practical and thoughtful.
14. Affordable Scent Diffuser or Essential Oil Set
After all the moving boxes, nothing feels better than a scent that says “welcome home.” These are usually easy and fairly affordable.
15. Personalized Welcome Mat for Landlord-Friendly Homes
If they’re renting, something non permanent but still personal—like a welcome mat, removable wall decals, or temporary décor.
Mid-Article: Top Amazon Recommendations
While writing this post, I ordered several items to test them out—I wanted to see what feels really special, what packaging looks nice, what actually holds up in a new home’s chaos. Here are three Amazon picks that passed my test, and that I’d be proud to gift (or receive myself).
⭐ Product Recommendation #1: House Warming Gifts New Home 11-Piece Basket Set
This set includes 11 pieces: bamboo serving board, hand towels, decorative coasters, scented candle, honey spoon, and more. What's lovely is the “Home Sweet Home” engraving on the board, which elevates it from just “useful items” to something sentimental. The coasters protect surfaces; the scented candle helps ease the stress of moving; the wine bag adds a celebratory touch. It’s perfect for a friend who’s just moved and needs a mix of practical & feel-good.
If you want a ready-made basket full of thoughtful items that look great together, click here to view this gift set on Amazon—it ships fast, nicely packaged, and gets tons of positive reviews.
⭐ Product Recommendation #2: ChefSofi Cheese Board Charcuterie Set
This acacia wood cheese board is gorgeous and practical. It even has a built-in drawer that holds stainless steel knives, plus small ceramic bowls for jams or nuts. I gave something similar to a friend who loves entertaining, and she said it made her feel more put-together hosting her first dinner party in her first home. It’s “unique” but still totally usable.
Want to give a gift that looks luxe but doesn’t cost a fortune? check out this cheese board set on Amazon—it’s a crowd-pleaser and it's one of those gifts people keep on display.
⭐ Product Recommendation #3: Vancasso Bonita Pasta Bowls (Set of 6)
Pretty, colorful, and so well made. These bowls are dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe. I picked them up myself and was surprised how vibrant the colors are but still tasteful—not cheesy. Perfect for someone who moved into a new house and needs affordable, durable pieces that bring joy daily.
If you want a gift that’s both useful and cheerful, grab this set of pasta bowls on Amazon—they’ll bring color to their table every time they use them.
Fun & Unusual Gift Basket Themes to Try
Creating themed baskets is one of my favorite parts of gift-giving. Here are a few themes that blend fun, unique, and thoughtful:
- Coffee Lovers Basket: Beautiful mugs, fancy beans, flavored syrups.
- Spa Day Basket: Bath bombs, plush robe, soothing oils, candles.
- Movie Night Basket: Popcorn, cozy blanket, snacks, maybe a streaming gift card.
Easy DIY Gift Ideas That Impress
- Hand-painted mugs or glasses — pick up plain ones, add quotes or their name.
- Homemade jam or cookies in jars — package with pretty ribbon.
- Custom photo collage or framed pictures — moments of friendship + their new place.
Tips for Giving Your Gift
- Consider giving it on move-in day or during their housewarming party—either works, depending on what’s easier.
- Wrapping matters: even a simple gift feels more precious with nice paper, ribbon, or a handwritten note.
- Include a card that says something like, “May this new house always feel like home” or “Home Sweet Home begins here.”
Conclusion
At the end of the day, housewarming gift ideas for best friend are all about showing that you see them, you support them, and you want their new house to be a place of comfort, joy, and memories. Whether you go for something unique, personal, cool, fun, or even a little unexpected, the best gifts are the ones chosen with heart. Use the ideas above, mix in your own memory or inside joke, and I promise your friend will cherish whatever you pick—for both their first home or any home after. Happy gifting!