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Great Housewarming Gifts for Apartment Dwellers
Buying a friend that perfect housewarming gift for their new apartment can be tricky, as chances are they don’t have a lot of space to spare. And you run the risk of buying something for their home that doesn’t go with their style. Here’s how to buy a great housewarming gift.
Let them pick out their gift
You don’t always have to give a physical item to help your friend settle into her new place. Consider giving them something easier to use that will definitely fit their style: gift certificates. Practically every store these days sells them, and there’s a reason why: they’re easy to buy, easy to use and incredibly versatile. You can gift them a set amount from a major retail outlet, a movie theater or even a restaurant to help them eat until they unpack their dishes. They pick out what they like, and you don’t run the risk of cluttering up their new apartment.
One “buyer beware” warning, however: before you buy a gift certificate, check the rules. Don’t buy one that has an expiration date, and don’t buy one that charges a fee if it’s not used after a certain date.
Skip the surprise and ask
It may seem a little tacky to ask a friend what they’d like for a housewarming gift, but it beats buying something they don’t like. They may have a general idea of something they need — bath towels? a new toaster? — or they might even have a specific housewarming registry. Some stores allow new residents have a gift registry. Ask, and save yourself some effort.
Help them stock up
If you help them pack, move or unpack, then you might have a good idea what your friend has in the way of possessions. Take notes of anything they were forced to give away, things that broke or things they seem to be missing. Help them realize a fully stocked kitchen, for instance, by buying them a spice gift package. Many retailers like Target and Overstock.com have Web pages with housewarming gift ideas that you can sort by price or category.
Add some life
Houseplants are almost always a good housewarming gift choice, because they add color to a room and help oxygenate the place. If you get the chance first to see the new apartment, check out the lighting before buying a plant to choose one that’s right for your friend.
Get creative
No one ever said you have to buy someone a housewarming present. You can always think outside of the wrapped box and come up with some other welcome housewarming gift ideas. Make up a coupon book good for favors like putting together furniture, or hanging photos, or any other number of tasks someone in a new apartment might need help with. Or just offer to help your friend unpack.
You can also put together a gift basket full of their favorite smaller items like lotions or candy, or stock it full of silly inexpensive games to break the tension when they’re tired of unpacking their new apartment. If they’re new to the area, load them up with a map of their new home, some coupons to some local shopping outlets and a restaurant guide to get them started.
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