The beginning of a new year is always an exciting time. Most people feel fresh and rejuvenated, ready for a brand new season. Perhaps you have friends and family who are taking this time to move into a brand new home too.
Before you go shopping for the perfect housewarming gift, however, it may be a good idea to know what you should not give.
In some cultures, certain gifts are considered to bring bad luck:
Knives and scissors
Sharp objects such as knives and scissors are unlucky gifts, as it is thought to sever the relationship between the giver and the recipient.
Black and white colours
Be mindful of the colour of the gift you’re considering. Black is believed to be of bad luck across cultures, as it is known widely as the colour of death. White, while believed to be of purity to some, also represents death and funeral to others.
Mirrors
Throughout much of Asia, mirrors are a terrible idea for gifts as they are believed to attract malicious spirits. On top of that, they are easily broken, and breaking mirrors is widely seen as a bad omen.
Clocks
Clocks and watches are frowned upon as gifts in the Chinese culture, because the phrase ‘giving a clock’ sounds exactly like the Chinese words for ‘attending a funeral’. It also implies that the recipients is ‘running out of time’, which is especially ominous for older people.
Housewarming gift ideas that will never go wrong
Now that you know the gifts to avoid, what are some options that will delight your hostess no matter their culture?
Food
One of the best ways to a person’s heart is definitely through their stomach. As most people love to eat (really, who doesn’t??), showing up at a housewarming party with a delicious home-made cake or a dish of lasagna will put you in the good books immediately. A bottle of wine and a beautifully curated hamper of snacks would be lovely too!
Air fresheners
Much like perfume, air fresheners are always a great gift idea. Scented candles and reed diffusers are some of the popular choices, as they are not only useful, but they often give a luxurious touch with their gorgeous packaging. An important tip to remember though: Keep to gentle fragrances instead of over-the-top scents unless you know the recipient’s taste extremely well.
Homeware
Help your friends settle into the new but slightly unfamiliar place by giving them lovingly selected home décor items! Not only will your gifts add a creative or fun touch to their home, but it will also be a reminder of your friendship as they enter into a new phase of their lives!
Gift cards
Another fail-proof idea: gift cards. They are extremely useful especially when you have totally no clue as to what you should get. Gift cards also perfect because it allows your recipient to choose their own favourite item, which in a way also means that your gift will always be loved and be used.
Some interesting housewarming traditions and superstitions
Whether or not you’re a superstitious person, there are some housewarming rituals or practices that have been followed for so long that they become somewhat of a tradition. Here are some of them:
Light a candle
Fire is often a strong symbolism for strength and purity, and it also represents good. As such, when you light a candle on the first night of living in your home, it symbolically blesses the home and casts out darkness, warding off evil spirits.
Bring bread and salt
Some believe that the first items to be brought into a home should be a loaf of bread and a jar of salt. Bread, to symbolise that the inhabitants will never go hungry, and salt, to give them a life full of flavour.
Ring a bell
For those who practise feng shui, it is believed that ringing a Tibetan space clearing bell in the home can help remove stagnant or dying ‘qi’ (energy).
Boil milk and rice
According to Vasthu Sastra Indian tradition, milk and rice, which signifies purity and long life, are boiled until it overflows the pot in the east direction to bring good luck and prosperity.
Now that you know the do’s and don’ts, check out these amazing ideas before you head off to your housewarming party:
The Wild Imagination Lamp (Blue) has a whimsical scene printed on fabric, and is a beautiful addition to any child’s room!
The Mini Pick-Up Truck (Red) Garden Planter allows you to display plants in a stunning, handmade planter designed by Aaron Jackson.
The European Tour (Nuremburg) Large Lamp is hand-made from glass and a layer of clay, allowing the electric light bulb to illuminate and radiate the magnificent colours and patterns.
Give a little birdie family a new cosy home with this vibrant Bird Palace. Recycled and handcrafted, this bird house will make any garden come alive!
Bring the most chic gift with Mrs Darcy’s Jasper Candle (Tangerine Blossom + Ylang Ylang). Part of a new crystal candle collection, it looks and smells lovely.
You are now armed with the right knowledge and great gift ideas to be one of the best invitees to a housewarming party. In fact, you can shop right from your home on our website and take your pick from a huge range of candles, diffusers and homeware!
