Moving home is one of the most stressful things that you can do. The boxes, the hassle, the seemingly never-ending fees—it’s an ordeal. If your friends or family are moving home, the least you can do is buy them a little housewarming gift to welcome them and give them something to smile about.
Who knows, maybe it’ll get you out of removal duties!
Take a look at the following gifts, all of which are perfect for new homeowners. And because we’re all about patios and outdoor furniture here at Seven Summers, we’re focusing on the furniture and accessories that will bring their outdoor spaces to life.
After all, when the move is over and done with and the chaos of the day/week has finished, what’s better than chilling on the patio and enjoying a few drinks?
1. A Firepit or Fire Table
A firepit is an ultimate centerpiece for a backyard space. It will bring that yard to life, making it welcoming during those chilly evenings.
Firepits serve a double purpose, providing both heat and light. They are also available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles, ensuring there is something for every budget.
If you’re willing to splash the cash and buy an unforgettable gift to make your friends the envy of their neighbors, you can opt for a Fire Table, such as the SummerSide Fire Table, available in our online store. These pieces combine function and style. They’re tables and bars, but they also have a firepit in the middle. It’s protected by glass so it won’t burn your hands, food, or drinks, but it’s still close enough to benefit from the heat and light.
On the other end of the scale, you have simple bowl firepits. These cheaper options are often made from steel, with simple bowls to contain the fire and legs to keep them upright.
All options are functional, and all of them will bring a smile to the homeowner’s face. What’s more, you don’t need to worry about someone else buying them the same gift, as larger yards have space for multiple firepits.
2. A Wreath
A wreath is a great way to add a splash of color to a home. It’s also inexpensive but thoughtful enough to look like you made an effort. They can hang it on any door or wall, and while wreaths are often associated with the holidays, they’re good for any time of year.
3. An Outdoor Dining Set
An outdoor furniture set can help your friends to transform their patios, effectively giving them an extra room.
It’s the perfect gift, and they’ll think about you every time they’re relaxing on their new chairs and eating from their new patio table.
The best sets might be out of reach if you’re looking for a less expensive and cheerful gift, but there are always alternatives. And if you can’t afford the full collection, you can always just buy them a small table, chair, or accessory.
4. Welcome Signs and Welcome Mats
A welcome mat for the door or a welcome sign for the wall is a cheap and useful gift. It’s decorative, but it’s also the furniture equivalent of wide-open arms and a welcoming smile.
If your friends have a cheeky sense of humor, you can even get a funny mat or sign to match, just don’t overdo it. “Joke” signs are hilarious when you first see them, and they’ll get a laugh from the recipient when they open their gift, but that hilarity fades quickly.
5. Picnic Towels and Throws
Picnic towels are the ideal substitute for complete patio furniture sets. They are also romantic—what’s cozier than enjoying a few nibbles on a picnic towel in your new living room or on your new patio?
A picnic towel is basically just a hard-wearing towel. It’s made for outdoor use and is usually thick and durable.
As for a throw, it’s often made from softer materials and is designed to be draped over furniture. If you’re buying a throw to be used outdoors, make sure it’s made for this purpose, otherwise, it may be too absorbent and thin and won’t survive the cold and the rain.
6. Storage Seats
Storage seats, ottomans—these pieces of furniture can serve a purpose in every home and yard.
A new homeowner will quickly find themselves buried under boxes, books, clothes, and other possessions. They’ll need places to store everything, and they’ll also need places for themselves and their guests to sit.
Storage seats kill two birds with one stone because as every homeowner can attest, you always seem to have too much junk and not enough seating.
7. Tool Sets
A tool set is not quite an outdoor-themed gift, but it can be. It will also be very useful for someone who has just moved into a new house.
Whether the house is new or old, there will be lots of little issues to fix. Faucets need tightening, doors need securing, and they may also have locks, lights, furniture, hooks, shelves, and appliances to install.
It can even be used to upgrade their outdoor space, whether they’re fitting tables and chairs, building firepits and sheds, or just doing some general maintenance.
If it’s the recipient’s first house and they’re not typically very handy, there’s a good chance they won’t have a tool set. Of course, you should check first, lest you drop a small fortune on a toolset that they don’t need/already have.
8. Bird Feeders
Bird feeders are affordable gifts for animal lovers. They’re decorative and functional, and they’ll give your friends an excuse to welcome all the local birdlife into their gardens.
Any old bird feeder won’t suffice, though. Look for bird feeders that are resistant to squirrels so that the little guys don’t steal all of the food, make a mess of your patio, and attract other rodents.
Birdhouses are another good option, and for much the same reason. They’ll encourage flocks of feathered friends to visit their garden and ensure it is filled with the joyous sound of bird song.
9. Melamine Dish Sets
Melamine dinner sets are tough, hard-wearing, and great for outdoor use. They also touch upon a price point that’s not cheap, but not quite expensive, either. You can get a complete set for less than $200, and there are some cheaper options available for under $100.
If that’s too much but you still like the idea, you can opt for a few plates or service bowls instead. There are some beautifully designed pieces out there, and even a single bowl can be an impressive gift if you choose carefully.
Serving jugs and sets of glasses are also a great gift. They’ll encourage the recipient to throw yard parties and ensure they’re not short of serving options when all of their guests appear.
10. Scented Candles
You can never have too many candles, especially when you’re moving into a new home. Candles aren’t just helpful during blackouts, and when your better half forgets to pay the electricity bill. They also help to create a cozy and romantic setting, which is just what you need when you’re preparing for the first night in your new home.
Whether you’re enjoying a couple of glasses of wine in your new living room or sipping hot chocolate on the patio, a few scented candles will provide the perfect backdrop.
Scented candles add a welcoming warmth to cold and unfurnished rooms, and they’ll come in handy during those housewarming parties and dinner parties.
11. Outdoor Plants
If the new homeowner is green-fingered, consider buying them some plants or seeds to liven up their garden. Unless they are buying a house from a fellow gardener, they will have a clear canvas on which they can work, and a few plants, bulbs, or seeds can help them with that.
Pay attention to the climate and focus on attractive or productive plants (such as exotic flowers, fruits, and vegetables) that work well within that climate. After all, you want to show that you put some thought into the gift and didn’t just grab the cheapest pack of seeds that you saw.
If they are not very green-fingered, a few houseplants or cacti will suffice. These plants are usually very low maintenance, can be kept indoors or outdoors, and add a splash of greenery to the home or garden.
Summary: Don’t Forget the Wine!
Finally, don’t forget to buy a bottle of wine/whiskey/rum/champagne, or whatever else they drink. Most homeowners celebrate moving into their new abodes with a glass or two of their favorite tipples, and you’ll save them a lot of time by gifting them the bottles.To be a little more original, simply add some chips, cheeses, or other foodstuffs, put everything in a nice gift bag/box, and deliver it with a smile! If you’re lucky, they will invite you to join them for a drink and a bite to eat in their new home.