6 Housewarming Gift Ideas To Welcome New Neighbors

If you’ve noticed the ‘For Sale’ sign in the yard next door has finally gone and been replaced with a moving truck, it’s about time to introduce yourself to your new neighbors! 

Beyond creating important community ties, a friendly watchful neighbor can be an amazing person to have in your corner. If you are leaving an empty home behind to go on vacation, it’s great to know someone has your back if they see a strange car in your drive. 

Foster a great neighbor to neighbor relationship from the get go by introducing yourself—and come bearing gifts! 

Here are our top six favorite housewarming gifts:

1. Baked Goods

A basket of cookies, a cake or a loaf of freshly baked bread is a great way to let a new neighbor know they are welcome. The extra effort to make something yourself shows forethought and will surely be appreciated. Be sure to keep the recipe simple and avoid using nuts or peanut butter in case of allergies. 

2. Neighborhood Guide

A practical gift that would definitely come in handy is a little guidance about the neighborhood. Gather up local take-out menus, a neighborhood event calendar, important phone numbers for town agencies, garbage collection times, etc. Include a hand-written note to give it a personalized touch. 

3. Kid Care Package

Notice some little ones running around on their lawn? Moving is difficult on its own, but adding kids to the mix poses an extra challenge. Create a care package with age-appropriate kid items like coloring book, crayons, puzzles and snacks to keep them busy while their parents handle moving in and unpacking. 

4. Easy-to-Freeze Casserole

It’s hard to find all your needed kitchen items when they’re packed away in boxes. And even if you can, who has the time to cook in the middle of a move? A thoughtful gesture for your new neighbor would be to bring them a casserole that they can eat on move-in day or freeze for later. Be sure to put it in a dish that they won’t have to worry about returning. 

5. Houseplant

A bit of greenery can bring a lot of life to a new home, which explains why they’re often chosen for housewarming gifts. Try to pick a plant that is not toxic or apt to trigger allergies. Personalize the gift with a pretty container and a handwritten note.

6. Cleaning Gift Basket

Sometimes people leave behind cleaning items for the convenience of not having to pack them or for fear of spillage on the way to their new home. Most everyone will want to tidy up their new home before unpacking, which makes cleaning items a great practical choice for a new neighbor. Consider using eco-friendly cleaning products for your gift basket and including some locally crafted soap from the Chattanooga Market.