We all have friends who’ve relocated, peaced out from city life altogether, or, in many cases, decided that they could no longer deal with having three roommates who were all still going on Tinder dates and touching everything in the kitchen with their grubby hands. Those friends took the plunge and got their own places, and depending on our own living situations, we are either wonderfully happy for them or crushingly jealous. But you know what’s a nice thing to do for someone you really like? Get ‘em a housewarming present. It may seem old-timey to search for the best housewarming gifts, but maybe this is one of those good old-timey things, like splitting a big hot fudge sundae.
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No matter who your newly re-homed bud is, we know exactly what to get them, whether they’re a plant-obsessed nut, a wannabe sommelier, or just someone who deserves some nice hand soap. Read on for 27 housewarming gifts to congratulate a friend for spreading their wings.You may be asking, What in god’s name is a match cloche? The simplest answer is that it’s an attractive glass vessel filled with matches that you can put on the back of your toilet, for reasons that we hope we don’t need to explain. It makes a great housewarming gift because it’s the kind of thing you might feel kind of dumb spending $34 on for yourself, but will deeply appreciate in times of need.Whether your friend is a really big stoner or a massive candle-head—they’ll both love the understated chic Pebble Match Strike from Houseplant. It looks like two stones perfectly balanced on top of each other, and either way, it holds the key to a moment of zen.A bougie candle is pretty much the default when it comes to housewarming and hosting gifts, and for good reason—everyone enjoys a pleasant room-filling scent. But if you’re gonna shell out anywhere from $40-100 dollars on a container of wax, it should be of a certain quality. For a smoky-spicy-sweet option that sets a sultry mood, Boy Smells’ Hinoki Fantôme is one of our indisputable faves, with its synthesis of wood resin, cardamom, and jasmine.
Cloche-ing in
Not all candles are created equal
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For a relaxing olfactory trip to a countryside spa, we cannot get enough of this Midnight Soak candle from Audo (formerly MENU). It has base notes of cedarwood, moss, and white musk; mid notes of geranium, rose, and hay; and top notes of fig, lavandin grosso, and bitter orange.Finally, a bathroom that's only covered in YOUR hair, toothpaste, and soap scum, and no one else's! There is a true sense of relief that comes along with having your own space for the first time. Snazzy towels can really jazz up a powder room, but many first-time solo apartment dwellers are so overwhelmed with getting settled that they don't have the time or money to hunt down some cool ones. We've got a few ideas, though...
Diptyque makes a scented taper candle that is basically the whole kit and caboodle. Who needs candle sticks and tapers? The ingenious luxury candle brand has combined the drama of a candlestick with the scent impact of a votive in all of their most-popular scents.Now for a bit of comedic relief: There’s no denying that sometimes, the world feels like a dumpster fire, but let your friend know this will all be fine by giving them a literal dumpster candle they can light on fire. You know, as a cute little way to remind themselves that things could always be worse!
Really groovy towels
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If your pal is living alone for the first time and needs to purchase the essentials, this incredibly luxe Missoni set includes a bath towel and a nice-sized hand towel for under $150. Just make sure he has a backup towel, in case he actually manages to get someone to stay the night. Not all toilet brushes are created equal. Some are gross and cheap-looking, and some look like delightfully oversized cherries that will make even the job of scrubbing the bowl a little less Sisyphysian and a little more enjoyable. An underrated staple of the room. We like this one by artist Lorien Stern. Sure, it’s a little pricey for a housewarming gift—but maybe you really like this person (or the person doing the housewarming is you). If you drink at home, you probably recognize by now that frequently breaking fragile stemware is just a reality of existence, whether they get knocked off the coffee table or snap in half mid-wash in the sink. We’re over the whole delicate thing; it’s fine in restaurants, but at home, it’s nice to mix things up a bit.There are so many rad, unbreakable wine glasses out there for every space cadet, but this set looks especially Ina Garten-worthy (without the Hamptons-level price tag). They’re made from super-durable BPA-free recycled plastic and can withstand both extreme temps and the dishwasher without cracking. They look eerily similar to glass, and we are digging the colored options for fall.
Speaking of powder rooms…
A rug you can stare at for hours
Unbreakable wine glasses
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Wine glasses with “study abroad” energy
Cocktail glass, champagne flute, you name it
Don’t just bring any bottle of alcohol
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A corkscrew without some stupid company’s name on the side
Nice big scissors
Fancy soap for a fancy new place
So nice, it’s called “hand wash”
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Soap can be fun
A jar opener
Pan’s labyrinth
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Upgrade their morning cup of joe
A spicy throw pillow
They’ve got bare walls
No one is expecting a really fancy broom
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They still watch saltbae videos
If all else fails, go with a plant
The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the stuff featured in this story.