Our moms have been telling us this for years and now that we all live in our very own apartments we understand why. Few things are as exciting as securing a new place to live. It means new beginnings, career success, and the closure to what was probably a brutal apartment search. (Note: this last bit doesn’t apply to Suitey users!). It also means housewarming parties are bound to be a new fixture on your social schedule and we want to make sure you don’t show up empty handed!
Here are Suitey’s favorite cheap housewarming gift ideas of the moment:
Something to Drink: This one is a given. What good party doesn’t have good drinks? If you’re going to a dinner party, wine is probably the way to go. Holiday celebrations are usually a time to toast champagne. Buy some bottled beer for football on Sundays, or just bring a bottle of vodka to the Halloween pregame. In many instances, you’ll get to enjoy this gift with your host or hostess, but the gesture itself is a signal of thanks and appreciation. Remember, entertaining is stressful!
Something to Drink out of: Stemless Wine Glasses: Stemless wine glasses are a triumph. Why? Because they’re also just regular glasses. They possess the versatility to transcend your glassware needs and fill the void left behind by shattered wine glasses and eternally dirty dishes. Your host can enjoy a refreshing glass of water or a sumptuous glass of wine out of the same cup (hopefully not at the same time) without looking silly. They are often dishwasher safe, and usually come in small boxed sets and are priced around $25 for a set. Time to do away with the red wine in a coffee mug look. So Sophomore Year¦
Candles are this blogger’s favorite thing in the world. Within minutes, they add ambience, tranquility and delightful fragrance into a room (and who doesn’t need that in NYC?). What’s also great is that they tend to last a long time, which means your host or hostess will only have pleasant thoughts of you as they bask in candlelight after a long day at work. Candles are also doable at every budget. Urban Outfitters carries amazing options that are under $20 and have innovative fragrances and packaging. For more discerning tastes, this blogger loves candles from Diptyque. Or for something funky try Jonathan Adler!
Hand Towels: Since few of us city dwellers have luxuries like multiple bathrooms, we can all relate to how annoying it is when your friends trash yours during a party. A cute set of hand towels is an easy and stylish solution to the otherwise unsanitary realization that everyone’s been wiping their hands on your towels. Like stemless wine glasses, people often don’t realize how badly they needed hand towels until they receive them. Whether a striped linen for the summer months or a plush terry cloth for the winter, hand towels come in millions of patterns and can be very cheap.
Flowers are usually the first choice for every gifting category. For a housewarming, you’ll want to avoid an arrangement that dies in a week and opt for something a little more durable. What’s also great, is that flowers are not just for women! See below:
Succulents are tiny cactus plants with beautiful leaves and stems and are considered by many to have masculine qualities. A succulent is not girly or whimsical but it is definitely streamlined and chic and suitable for almost any decor. Most importantly, as a member of the cactus family, the succulent demands little to no attention and can last months. Succulents are sold by every florist and retailers like West Elm now carry them too. Or, if you’re up for it, walk on 28th Street in the Flower District where there are some beautiful and unique specimens.
For her, you should always get an orchid. Orchids are glamorous, sexy and sophisticated and go with everything. They come in many sizes and varieties and they can live for months with minimal watering. A great orchid can be expensive but is a very gracious gift. Alternatively, stores such as Whole Foods carry smaller ones starting around $20.
Thank you for reading Suitey’s picks for gracious housewarming gifts. Remember, don’t show up empty handed and always be a good house guest!
Next week, we will focus on entertaining in your own apartment. From guest selection to menu, decorations to drinks we’ll have you covered. And if our readers learn anything before then, they’ll show up with some awesome gifts!
Happy gifting,
Suitey
