Shopping·14 min read

23 Foolproof Housewarming Gifts Under $50

Hoya plants, wineglasses, Brightland honey duo
Design: theSkimm | Photos: The Bouqs. Co, JILLMO/Amazon, Brightland
February 1, 2023

This post was originally published in February 2022 and has been updated.

Products you buy through our links may earn us a commission. Oh, and if something's out of stock, oops, it was there (and all prices were accurate) at time of publication.

New space, who dis? Nothing says ‘congrats on the new digs’ quite like a present that's actually useful. Because yes, it’s the thought that counts, but after weeks of unpacking and decluttering, they’ll probably want items that aren’t gonna make their ‘toss’ pile even higher. So we rounded up some foolproof housewarming gifts under $50 — whether your bestie is upgrading to their first solo apartment or your cousin just became a homeowner. We’ve got everything from personalized decor items to cute but functional gifts they’ll be so glad you brought over. 

Ban.do

A tool kit that isn’t an eyesore…

Helping them be prepared = the gift that keeps on giving. This handy zippered pouch comes with a 10-foot tape measure, a claw hammer with four mini screwdrivers that nest inside the handle, and a regular-sized screwdriver with a reversible head. Who can fix it? They can now — all thanks to you. ($34.95, Ban.do)

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Urban Outfitters

Polaroid coasters to zhuzh up their coffee table…

Custom gifts for the win. This glass and ceramic set is an easy way to add a personal touch to their home, without the heavy lifting. Add in a roughly 3-inch by 3-inch photo and wipe clean. Shake it…($20, Urban Outfitters)

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Uncommon goods shortbread cookies
Uncommon Goods

Customizable shortbread cookies if sweet treats are their thing…

If they’re specific about home decor and you’re worried about finding something that vibes with their design taste, why not opt for something they can literally taste instead? You can add a message (there’s room for more than just their name or ‘congrats’), and they’ll get 24 insanely delish vanilla cookies sent right to their doorstep. Or order them to your house, wrap them up all pretty, and bring ’em with you when you check out their new space for the first time. Yum. ($38, Uncommon Goods)

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Custom house portrait
Just Artin’ Around via Etsy

A custom portrait of their house…

Because home is where the heart is. And you’ve got a lotta love for your pals. Whether it’s the house they just said goodbye to or an image of their new humble abode, they’ll absolutely love this custom watercolor. Just upload a photo, pick your size, and voilà. Psst…need some help finding the perfect frame? Here ya go. ($44.99+, Just Artin’ Around via Etsy)

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Homesick new home candle
Amazon

A ‘new home’ candle they can have on display during Zoom calls…

Juuuuust in case any of their co-workers forgot they recently upgraded their digs. This one from one of our fave candle brands smells like jasmine, cedarwood, lime, and sandalwood. It’ll burn for 60 to 80 hours and has an all-natural soy wax blend and a cotton wick. Psst…if gifting candles is your love language, check out more of our faves here. ($26.60, Amazon)

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Wineglasses
Amazon

Wineglasses so they can celebrate in style…

Pop the vino. This pair of shatterproof, copper-coated stemmed wineglasses are the full package. They’re made of stainless steel, so they’re durable and shouldn’t break too easily. Plus, they keep drinks nice and cool. Choose from rose gold or silver — and get ready to cheers to them. ($27.99+/2 pack, Amazon)

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Brightland honey duo
Brightland

Artisanal honey from one of the buzziest food brands around…

Nothing says ‘sweet vibes in your new home’ like some honey from Brightland. Your lucky giftee will get two jars of 100% pure, raw unfiltered honey — one from California, one from Hawaii — in recyclable glass containers. They can drizzle it on the snack(s) of their choosing, plus the bottles are pretty enough to leave out on the counter. Delish. ($42/2 pack, Brightland)

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Personalized cutting board
Amazon

A personalized cutting board they’ll cherish for years…

This sustainably sourced gift is one they’ll use over and over again. It’s free of chemicals, stains, and lacquers, aka you can rest easy knowing the boards are 100% food-safe. It’s got a number of engraving styles to choose from so you can find one that’ll match their style. Chop to it. ($25+, Amazon)

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Oui the People

A bath soak so they can relax in their new tub…

This one from Oui the People will help them take the edge off after a hectic day of decluttering and organizing. It has bergamot essential oils from Italy, detoxifying ingredients to help boost calming effects, and organic aloe that’ll make their skin soft. Relaxation station, here they come. ($28, Oui the People)

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A custom return-address stamp
Saralukecreative via Etsy

A custom return-address stamp…

For the sentimental ones in your life, or for your friend who has a drawer full of stationery. You can personalize it with their name and new address, and choose from a ton of fun colors. Before you know it they’ll be stamping everything they can get their hands on. ($24.95+, Saralukecreative via Etsy)

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Wine cork holder
Amazon

A metal wine cork holder to zhuzh up their new kitchen…

They can use it to display corks that are especially meaningful to them — or just add to it every time they pop open a new bottle. The monogram letter is handmade with durable metal and painted with a glossy black finish that’ll grab any visitor’s eye. Plus, they can mount it on the wall or display it on a counter. ($31.95+, Amazon)

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Docking station
Amazon

A personalized docking station for their valuables…

No lost keys or missing phone here. Since moving can be chaotic, gifting your pal a stylish way to stay organized will be much appreciated. This wooden station looks great on any entry table or kitchen counter and is compatible with iPhones, iPads, and tablets. It’s designed to hold everything from their keys and glasses to their wallet and phone so they won’t have to go searching through all their boxes just to get out the door. You can choose your wood stain, font style, and the custom text you want on it. Handy and visually appealing? We love to see it. ($29.94+, Amazon)

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Heart-shaped aromatic toilet bombs
Uncommon Goods

Heart-shaped aromatic toilet bombs…

If you want something that’s playful and functional, look no further. These nontoxic, biodegradable, and septic-safe lil’ guys will ensure your bestie’s new bathroom stays smelling fresh. Your giftee will just need to drop a few glittery tablets in the bowl before they go, and the oils will create a fizzy fragrant reaction that’ll keep odor to a minimum. Plus, they’ll even help keep their toilet cleaner, thanks to the baking soda and citric acid in ’em. Sometimes it’s the practical, funny gifts that make the best ones. ($15, Uncommon Goods)

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A Sriracha seasoning set
Amazon

A seasoning set that’ll elevate their cooking…

Whether they’re a beginner looking to take advantage of their new space or they’re a seasoned (see what we did there?) chef who loves to pack the heat, you can’t go wrong with this spice kit. They’ll get six delicious blends ranging from raspberry chipotle to chile margarita. Now you just gotta hope they invite you over for dinner. ($39.95, Amazon)

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A personalized welcome mat
YourWeddingPlace via Etsy

A personalized welcome mat…

Cozy up their front door situation with this handmade fiber option. Choose a size, choose your text, and voilá. You’ve spiced things up and added a little charm to their home. Hats off to ya. ($14.99+, YourWeddingPlace via Etsy)

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Blueland cleaning kit
Blueland

An eco-friendly cleaning kit that’ll be their new BFF…

Cleaning? All day, every day while in a new space? Groundbreaking. This eco-friendly kit will make their big list of things to scrub a little less miserable. They’ll get a multisurface cleaner, a bathroom cleaner, a glass and mirror cleaner, and foaming hand soap, all of which come in a reusable bottle. So once you purchase this starter set for them, they’ll just need to replenish with tablets in the future. Nice. ($39, Blueland)

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Hoya plants
The Bouqs Co.

Heart-shaped hoya plants to add some green to their space…

Instant joy alert. You can’t go wrong with gifting this set of easy-to-care-for hoyas. The two babes come potted in cement planters with pink rocks and are safe for pets. If you’re worried about your pals keeping them alive, don’t stress. They’re pretty easy to care for — they just need direct sunlight and a watering every two to three weeks. Grow, get it. ($49/2 pack, The Bouqs Co.)

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Acrylic cake stand and cover
Amazon

An acrylic cake stand and cover…

Category is: items your friends have always wanted but haven’t pulled the trigger on. This dishwasher-safe, multifunctional serving platter makes the ideal tabletop centerpiece. It not only looks great displayed on any kitchen surface but can be used in a variety of ways. Think: punch bowl, chips and salsa plate, salad-bowl server, and of course, cake stand. So whether you bring along a special dessert that says ‘mazel’ or you just want to wrap the stand up nicely, your giftee will be delighted by this kitchen score. ($24.99, Amazon)

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A felt letter board
Amazon

A felt letter board they can update each day…

Inspirational quotes have entered the chat. They’ll get letters (in a variety of fonts and sizes), numbers, special characters, and even emojis to add to their board. Whether they’re the type to put up a motivational message and prop it up near their WFH setup, or they just want to add their last name and hang it up near the family room wall, we have a feeling they’ll love it. It’s also a great gift for your friends with kids — it gives them a project they can work on and can help make the transition into their new room fun and easy. ($21.99+, Amazon)

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Housewarming cards
InsteadofAshes via Etsy

The perfect card if you’re better with words…

Buying a gift isn’t always in the budget (we get it). Enter: this handmade housewarming card instead. Fill it with some heartfelt thoughts and it’s as good as, if not better, than anything you could have bought. ($5.50, InsteadofAshes via Etsy)

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The Sill

The cutest at-home garden set…

So they can have fresh herbs at home. Whether they’re plant parents, love to cook, or you just wanna bring a gift that’ll make them smile, you can’t go wrong with this self-watering grow kit. It comes with three frosted jars containing mint, rosemary, and basil. Inside, there’s a special system that’ll easily deliver water and nutrients to each herb’s roots. All they have to do is add water and place in a sunny window. Genius. ($39, The Sill)

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A personalized letter opener
Aandlengraving via Etsy

A personalized letter opener…

Choose your font and a fun message (or just their names) for this gold-plated handmade opener. It’s the perfect classy item to celebrate their new location. Plus, it’s probably something they don’t already own. Now all you gotta do is write them some letters. ($29.99, Aandlengraving via Etsy)

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Modern dominoes set
Nordstrom

A modern dominoes set…

If playing games is one of your favorite things to do together, we highly rec stocking their new cabinets with this geometric-patterned set of dominoes from the MoMA. The vibrant colors are eye-catching so when they’re not using them, they’ll love having them out on display. Psst…if puzzles and games are kind of their thing, we rounded up some more of our favorites you can shop right here. ($46, Nordstrom)

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