5 Unique Housewarming Gift Ideas (Tea Towels Included!)

Moving into a new home is exciting—but let’s be real, finding the perfect housewarming gift can be less than thrilling. Skip the generic bottle of wine and gift something they'll actually love. Whether your best friend, sister, or mom is setting up her first apartment or finally moved into her dream home, here are five unique housewarming gift ideas that hit the sweet spot of thoughtful, useful, and stylish. Yes, tea towels are involved. 

1. A Set of Beautiful, Functional Tea Towels

Let’s start with the obvious: tea towels are the unsung hero of the kitchen. They dry dishes, double as decor, and somehow make wiping up spills feel... classy?

Our Gingiber flour sack tea towels are soft, absorbent, and come in the kind of charming, giftable designs that say “I have my life together now.” They make the perfect gift for moms, newlyweds, or your best girlfriend who just got the keys to her first home. Bonus: they’re machine washable and made to last. Gift one, or bundle a few together with ribbon for an easy gift that looks like a million bucks.

💡 Pro Tip: Pair a tea towel with a wooden spoon or a handwritten recipe for extra points.

Shop our tea towel collection for the perfect housewarming gift!

2. A Candle That Feels Like a Warm Hug

Let’s face it: most candles are either overpowering or smell like your grandma’s potpourri collection. The perfect housewarming gift is a hand-poured candle with a soft, inviting scent—think citrus and sage, warm woods, or soft florals.

This is a great gift for women who love cozy spaces—whether she’s a homebody, an entertainer, or someone who just needs a little self-care moment in her new place. Look for candles in minimalist jars that double as decor.

Pair It With: A cozy blanket or bath salts for the ultimate relaxation gift set.

Shop our Citrus Nectar Candle or our Blanket collection!

3. A Plant That Even a Beginner Can Keep Alive

A little greenery instantly makes a home feel more lived-in. But not everyone has a green thumb, which is why low-maintenance plants like pothos, snake plants, or ZZ plants make the perfect housewarming gift.

A cute plant is a great gift for your wife, mom, or best friend who wants to add personality to her space without the stress of constant care. Pair it with a stylish planter that matches her aesthetic, and you’ve got a winning gift.

Gift It With: A watering can or plant mister to complete the set.

4. A Go-To Cookbook That’s Actually Fun to Use

For the friend who loves to cook (or the one who’s trying to love cooking), a cookbook filled with easy, delicious meals is a thoughtful and useful gift.

Think beyond the usual coffee table cookbooks and look for something practical and inspiring—whether it's a comfort food classic or a modern take on weeknight dinners. This is an especially great gift idea for moms who love whipping up something homemade. My personal favorite is anything by The Half-Baked Harvest!

Bonus Idea: Mark a couple of your favorite recipes with sticky notes before gifting!

5. A Personalized Gift Basket (That Doesn’t Feel Cheesy)

A curated basket of small, thoughtful gifts is a perfect way to make her feel at home. Skip the generic pre-made ones and create something tailored to her personality.

Fill a cute woven basket with:

• A Gingiber tea towel
• A locally made jam or honey
• A cute dish brush or bottle opener
• A handwritten card

This is a perfect housewarming gift for a new homeowner, newlywed, or best friend who just moved across the country. It feels personal and luxurious without breaking the bank.

The Takeaway

Housewarming gifts don’t need to be expensive or complicated—they just need to feel thoughtful and useful. A tea towel might seem simple, but the right one (ahem, ours) adds a pop of personality to any kitchen.

Next time your mom, wife, or best friend gets the keys to a new place, skip the wine and gift something that says “Welcome home” in a more lasting way.

💡 Want to grab a tea towel (or five) for your next gift? Shop our bestsellers here →

Looking for more thoughtful gifting ideas? Check out our Mother's Day Gift Guide!