topic Re: Housewarming Gift in Community Chat

Housewarming Gift

Biftu — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 11:34:02 GMT

i have new neighbors who moved in next door. I have briefly spoken with them when they were moving boxes before the actual move. Should I bring them a small housewarming gift? If so, any ideas?

Re: Housewarming Gift

Sooner — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 11:40:00 GMT

@Biftu wrote:
i have new neighbors who moved in next door. I have briefly spoken with them when they were moving boxes before the actual move. Should I bring them a small housewarming gift? If so, any ideas?

@Biftu I think a greeting is enough. If they want to get to know you better, they will. And you might want to wait to see if you want to get chummy. . .

Re: Housewarming Gift

Iwantcoffee — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 11:42:23 GMT

I have never given a housewarming gift to new neighbors.

Re: Housewarming Gift

Desertdi — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 11:52:42 GMT

I would not even START gift-giving with neighbors. It might morph into birthday, anniversary, graduation, showers, weddings.....(and I'm sure I'm missing a few "occasions").

Re: Housewarming Gift

QVCkitty1 — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 12:01:54 GMT

If you do decide to give them a housewarming gift, I would give them a plant.

Re: Housewarming Gift

mspatmac — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 12:09:40 GMT

@Biftu

I think it's a lovely idea since they are next door. When I moved in my neighbor welcomed me with a small bouquet of flowers. We never became fast friends because we were at different points in our lives but it was a nice start to a pleasant relationship.

Re: Housewarming Gift

Shanus — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 12:19:06 GMT

@Biftu That's a friendly, welcoming gesture. I usually bake...either cupcakes or cookies if kids moved in or a cake, muffins or pie. I like to deliver it in a plate or muffin tin that's a "keeper" after they finish the goodies.

Re: Housewarming Gift

honeybeagle — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 12:20:02 GMT

Why ever hesitate to show kindness? Is there a good local bakery? Maybe some muffins and cookies. A pretty outdoor summer plant. I remember when I moved years ago and a neughbor behind me brougjt over a loaf of pumpkinbread. Kindness is not forgotten.

Re: Housewarming Gift

Pook — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 12:20:35 GMT

I always bring over something baked along with a gift certificate to a pizza place. It's a great ice breaker and does not mean you want to or have to become best friends!

Re: Housewarming Gift

cindyNC — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 12:37:37 GMT

The suggestions of a plant or gift certificate to a pizza place are great. These days it's never known what kind of allergies or special diets people are on, so the baked goods may be appreciated, but not eaten.

Re: Housewarming Gift

chrystaltree — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 13:15:02 GMT

Why????? I never heard of anyone giving a gift to new neighbors. I remember back in the day, we'd introduce ourselves and take a casserole or baked goods but people don't do that now. A friendly introduction is enough.

Re: Housewarming Gift

Jacie — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 13:20:33 GMT

That's generous of you.

I have only purchased gifts for really good friends or family who have purchased their first home. We just gave my niece an Nespresso Machine when she moved into her first home.

For people I have never met, a warm welcome to the neighbor seems sufficient to me.

Re: Housewarming Gift

Shanus — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 13:25:58 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
Why????? I never heard of anyone giving a gift to new neighbors. I remember back in the day, we'd introduce ourselves and take a casserole or baked goods but people don't do that now. A friendly introduction is enough.

@chrystaltree No one said you need to become great, close friends, but being firiendly to a new neighbor can't hurt and is welcoming to folks moving into a new home, new people, new location.

Our neighbor, who's been next door for 15 years, has our house key and alarm code for emergencies when we're away. We also exchange taking in each other's mail and packages when we're both on vacations.

Re: Housewarming Gift

proudlyfromNJ — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 13:28:53 GMT

I wouldn't but that's just me. Just to throw this out there, I know it's not common at all, but my BIL will not eat any food item out of someone else's kitchen. He's strange that way, but you never know. Use a bakery if you decide to do this.

Re: Housewarming Gift

Janey2 — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 13:34:38 GMT

@proudlyfromNJ I am with your BIL, I would never eat from someone else's kitchen if I do not know you. I do not know what is doing in that kitchen. As far as a gift, nope. Just a warm welcome to the neighborhood is enough.

Re: Housewarming Gift

gidgetgh — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 13:37:57 GMT

@Janey2 wrote:
@proudlyfromNJ I am with your BIL, I would never eat from someone else's kitchen if I do not know you. I do not know what is doing in that kitchen. As far as a gift, nope. Just a warm welcome to the neighborhood is enough.

@Janey2 @proudlyfromNJ - add me to that group.

Re: Housewarming Gift

San Antonio Gal — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 13:49:59 GMT

The house across the street from me just sold. They haven't moved in, but I'm just planning on saying hello. No gift.

Re: Housewarming Gift

San Antonio Gal — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 13:49:28 GMT

@gidgetgh wrote:
@Janey2 wrote:
@proudlyfromNJ I am with your BIL, I would never eat from someone else's kitchen if I do not know you. I do not know what is doing in that kitchen. As far as a gift, nope. Just a warm welcome to the neighborhood is enough.

@Janey2 @proudlyfromNJ - add me to that group.

Add me to the group.

Re: Housewarming Gift

sonson — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 13:51:12 GMT

When I moved to a new home in 1996, my neighbor across the street sent us a beautiful, huge fruit basket and signed it with her name and phone number, a welcome to the neighborhood gift. What a thoughtful, kind, generous gesture it was. We became best friends.

Re: Housewarming Gift

ThinkingOutLoud — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 14:05:16 GMT

Some of these responses astound me. Kind gestures never hurt.

Perfect time to share some flowers from the garden (in a jar they won't need to return) and include a note about the neighborhood facebook page, best Chinese take out in the area, upcoming community events, etc.