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Housewarming Gift Checklist
What to bring to a housewarming, from asking for the host's list to choosing a gift room by room.
A real, editable checklist below — tick, tap a line to rewrite, drag to reorder.
Tick the circles, tap any line to change it, drag the dots to reorder.
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Happy Giftlist's advice is that hosts share a wishlist, so ask the host for theirs before you buy anything. Without a list, guests tend to fall back on candles, wine and kitchen things the host already has. This checklist runs in order: the list and your budget first, then gifts room by room, then the day itself. Happy Giftlist suggests prices from about 10 euros up to a few hundred, with group gifts for bigger items. It assumes you're bringing a gift and leaves out party food and decorations. Happy Giftlist suggests hosts thank every guest as they arrive, so you'll be welcome either way.
Why these items are on the list
- Check the invitation for a list link. Happy Giftlist advises hosts to put the link in the invitation itself, so look there first.
- Ask the host what's still needed. No link? Ask. Guests are relieved to get a list, and the host skips duplicates.
- Order online if you're far away. One forum thread describes online lists that let out-of-state friends and relatives order.
- Pick a price tier. Happy Giftlist suggests prices from about 10 euros to a few hundred, so budgets all fit.
- Chip in on a bigger gift. Happy Giftlist says friends happily chip in on a lawnmower or proper coffee machine together.
- Cast-iron pan. Happy Giftlist names a cast-iron pan among its kitchen examples; check the host's list first.
- Decent kettle. Happy Giftlist also names a decent kettle for the kitchen; the host's list shows whether it's needed.
- Bread knife or salad spinner. Happy Giftlist names both for the kitchen, so pick whichever the host hasn't ticked off.
- Baskets for the hallway. Happy Giftlist's storage examples include baskets for the hallway, drawer dividers and a shoe rack.
- Drawer dividers. Another of Happy Giftlist's storage examples; check it's on the host's list before you buy.
- Shoe rack. Happy Giftlist's example is a shoe rack that fits under the stairs, so check the space.
- Throw blanket. Happy Giftlist's comfort examples include two throw blankets, so a pair may suit the host.
- Sofa cushions. Happy Giftlist also names cushions for the sofa; ask the host about colours if there's no list.
- Set of bath towels. Happy Giftlist lists a set of proper bath towels among its comfort examples.
- Terracotta pots. One of Happy Giftlist's outside examples, and a good fit for a balcony or garden.
- Trowel and secateurs. Another of Happy Giftlist's outside examples, alongside the terracotta pots.
- Two folding chairs. Happy Giftlist suggests two folding chairs for the balcony; they fold away when not needed.
- Handy toolkit. Happy Giftlist lists a toolkit under 'the unglamorous', alongside a step ladder and the right light bulbs.
- Step ladder. Happy Giftlist also puts a step ladder under 'the unglamorous', next to the toolkit.
- Box of the right light bulbs. Happy Giftlist says the right light bulbs, so ask the host which fittings they have.
- A bottle for the host. Happy Giftlist advises hosts to thank everyone, whether they brought a list item, something else or a bottle.
- Add your gift to the notebook. Happy Giftlist suggests a notebook by the gifts, where guests write what they brought for easy thank-yous.
Tick it on your phone as plans firm up, and send the shortlist to anyone chipping in so two people don't buy the same thing.
When to use it
Use it once the invitation arrives, before you've asked the host what the new place still needs.