Housewarming gift????

[bluefish81]

Ok, so recently one of my good college friends and sorority sisters moved back to Iowa. She and her husband just bought a house and have finally settled in and this weekend are throwing their housewarming party. Growing up I can remember my parents giving people housewarming gifts. However, I've honestly never been to a housewarming party as most of my friends are just starting to buy houses. Should I bring a gift? What type of gift would be appropriate?

[honeychile]

I would definitely bring something. If they haven't been married more than 3 years, most places will still have them on their bridal registry files, so that's one way to go. Others could be (but are certainly not limited to!):

-A good bottle of wine.
-A "New Home" Christmas Ornament (Lenox makes really beautiful ones; I've taken them).
-"Something special" for the pantry that you know they like, but wouldn't necessarily buy for themselves.
-If you know their bathroom colors, some disposable guest towels and a holder for them.
-Garden tools, if they lived in an apartment before.
-Gift card to Home Depot or Loew's or whatever.

Just bear in mind that it's expensive to furnish a whole house, all at the same time, and you'll be on the right track!

[trojangal]

Cosign!! Especially the bottle of wine. Some folks like to build up a wine collection for entertaining.

Another neat gift is a basket of gourment cooking items. Williams Sonoma has some really great stuff and so does Bed, Bath, and Beyond, or Linens and Things. When my friends buy a house, I usually make them up a little basket of their favorites. It might include dippig oil, gourment pasta and sauce,..just fun things they might enjoy in the kitchen. And I always try to do the basket in the color of their kitchen.

Good luck!

[AOIIsilver]

Gift card to Home Depot or Loew's or whatever.

Co-sign. A Wal-mart giftcard is wonderful. There are ALWAYS things to redo in a home....
Silver

[kddani]

one of my friends are her husband are moving into their first house this weekend. My roommate and I are probably going to get them a welcome mat from Pottery Barn and have it personalized with their name on it.

[mmcat]

ditto on the wine...
also a possible is a nice vase or casserole dish.

[AOIIBrandi]

Plants, candles, picture frames. I love the basket ideas, those are always my favorites to give or receive.

[aephi alum]

You can't go wrong with a bottle of wine (well... unless they don't drink). Depending on how much you want to spend, you could also get a small wine rack (like a 6-bottle wine rack).

honeychile's idea of picking up a copy of their bridal registry and choosing something from it is a good idea, if there are items that they're still missing and that are in your price range.

Another idea is a plant. Since it's getting on towards winter, choose something that will thrive indoors. Maybe a spider plant - those things are impossible to kill. I'd suggest your sorority's flower, but I don't think pansies would do too well indoors.

[bluefish81]

Thanks to everyone for all of these wonderful ideas!