Housewarming Gifts for Every Stage of Life: College, First Homes & More
Hi friends!
If you are in my immediate circle then you know I absolutely love gift giving, and if you’ve been around my website for awhile you might have picked up on that as well. I love giving a gift and making people feel special. I think when someone changes where they are living that is one of the biggest life changes whether it’s a sibling heading off to college, a friend moving into their first apartment, or a new neighbor settling into the cul-de-sac, an intentional and thoughtful housewarming gift can really make them feel seen and special during their big life change. It is so fun to tailor it to who you are shopping for and it’s one of my favorite ways to celebrate people I love making these gifts practical, pretty, and full of personality. I wanted to share a few different creative gift basket ideas that are tailored to different life stages. I really feel like I have something for everyone so whether you love a good themed basket and need help down to the type of vessel to give your gift or if you just want a couple of ideas to add to something you have already started creating, this list has you covered.
Happy reading!
🎓 1. College Dorm Survival Basket
Perfect for: In my mind, this is perfect for high school grads, college freshmen, or really anyone who is moving into their first dorm room. This time of student’s lives is so huge and having things that make them comfortable being away from home for the first time can go a long way with helping them to settle into their new lives. Gifting someone a dorm survival basket can be fun(for you and them) and functional which is a great way to gift things that will actually get used.
What to Include:
Reusable water bottle, think Owala or Stanley.. usually your gift recipient will have mentioned a preference at some point in the past!
Easy dorm snacks
Command hooks for their walls
Presentation Tip: Use a laundry basket or storage bin as the “basket” for a gift that doubles as dorm storage.
🏠 2. First Apartment Essentials Basket
Perfect for: I think this gift is mostly geared to post-grad movers, newly independent adults, or really anyone who is starting out in a fresh in a new space. A first apartment is a huge milestone for people and it often comes with a long, long shopping list of things they feel overwhelmed by. This basket focuses on the little things that make settling in a little easier and hopefully checks some things off the list they have created giving them money to buy other fun things that they might not have been able to get before.
What to Include:
Reusable shopping bag (there are some at HomeGoods for less than $1!
Gift card to a local grocery store or home shop so they can make their own choices!
Presentation Tip: Use a mixing bowl, dish rack, or a decorative basket as a base so they can use that as well! It’s practical and cute!
🧹 3. Cleaning Supplies Basket
Perfect for: First-time homeowners, newlyweds, or anyone who just moved in. This can really be a good idea for anyone you know! First of all, cleaning supplies are not cheap by any means and when someone moves into a new space, they are either overwhelmed by the products they might need or on the other hand can be overwhelmed and not know where to start. I know that a basket of cleaning supplies may not be glamorous, but they are always appreciated! A cute but still practical and well-stocked cleaning basket makes a super useful gift.
What to Include:
Pro Tip: Color-coordinate your supplies for a visually pleasing look—think neutrals, pastels, or a fresh green-and-white theme.
🏡 4. New Neighbor Welcome Basket
Perfect for: This type of gift is for welcoming someone to your neighborhood or building! In my opinion, nothing makes a person feel welcomed or says “we’re glad you’re here” like a thoughtful and put together housewarming basket. For this basket you will want to add a little personality but mostly things that are local to give them a sense of the area they are moving to.
What to Include:
Local snacks or baked goods
Handwritten note sharing some of your nearby favorites, think things like your favorite coffee shops or the best place to get sushi or other types of takeout. Think about the places you wish you knew about when you first moved to the area! This note could also include a mobile pet groomer if they have pets or a handyman that you use if they need one or anything else of that sort.
A magnet with emergency contact numbers
A small houseplant (my go to is a snake plant) or a succulent
Bonus Idea: If you feel comfortable, you can also include your name and phone number just as a friendly introduction or if they need help with smoothing or have a question. This is totally up to you though!
🛋️ 5. Cozy Home Decor Basket
Perfect for: Housewarmings, holiday gifts, or just-because gestures. This basket is in this housewarming blog post but this basket can be given to anyone really at anytime. It’s all about creating a cozy type of basket to gift to someone who just moved into a new space or someone who loves to decorate, maybe even a new mom-to-be who is totally in nesting mode.
What to Include:
Style Tip: Stick to a neutral or seasonal palette that you know matches their own vibe to give the basket a cohesive and Pinterest-worthy look!
💡 Bonus Basket Ideas to Try
💆♀️ Self-Care Basket
Face masks
Bath bombs or salts
Cozy socks
Herbal tea
Journal + pen
🍝 Pasta Night Basket
Box of pasta
Jar of sauce
Parmesan cheese
Cute wooden spoon
Kitchen towels
🐾 Pet Parent Basket
Dog or cat treats
Toys
Poop bags or lint roller
Pet bed
Dog bones
🛒 Where to Shop for Basket Supplies
Target – for cute, affordable basics and who doesn’t love wandering the aisles?!
Dollar Tree – surprisingly you can find so many goodies here, think things like fillers, storage bins, and small tools, even snacks!
HomeGoods or TJ Maxx – no need to elaborate on this one, these store have all things candles, blankets, and homey touches!
Amazon – for fast and customizable finds, plus they pretty much have a never ending supply of options!
Etsy – for personalized items and themed basket tags, I can always find the perfect addition to any gift on Etsy!
🧺 Tips for Assembling the Perfect Gift Basket
Choose a reusable base:
Storage bins, decretive baskets, mixing bowls, or trays make your gift even more useful.
Stick to a theme or color palette:
This gives the basket a polished and cohesive feel.
Add filler:
Shredded paper, towels, or tissue paper give the basket some structure.
Add a note or card:
A little card to share with the gift recipient is always a good idea!
You can even add in a gift card if you want to add a little something extra to the basket!
Whether it’s a major milestone in someone you love’s life or a simple “welcome to the neighborhood” kind gesture, I think that gift baskets are such a fun and thoughtful way to celebrate someone. They really are so customizable, can be made personal, and always appreciated by whoever is receiving the gift. I hope these ideas give you a jumpstart for the next time you are throwing a gift together! If you have any questions at all or anything to add you can comment below or send me an email at hello@emmatarynjones.com and I will get back to you as soon as I can!
Happy gifting!