Housewarming Gift Baskets to Celebrate a New Start

The best housewarming gifts help someone settle into a new space without cluttering it up. Moving is chaotic, expensive, and exhausting—what people need most is either practical help or a reason to pause and celebrate.

Think about what stage they're in. Are boxes still everywhere? Something consumable like gourmet food housewarming gifts (check out our gourmet snack baskets) or the Coffee Break gift basket gives them fuel without adding to the unpacking pile.

Also, think about your relationship with the homeowner: Real estate agents might consider a different kind of housewarming gift sent on their closing day. In contrast, coworkers, close friends or family members might prefer to mark the new chapter around moving day.

Are they mostly settled and ready to entertain? Then a celebratory wine and gourmet treat basket or Perfect Night In entertaining essentials will help them christen the new place. The worst housewarming gifts are decorative items that don't match their style or bulky things they now have to find space for.

Both have their place, and the right answer depends on your relationship and what you know about their situation. Practical gifts—cleaning supplies, tools, kitchen basics—are genuinely useful but can feel impersonal unless you know they need them, their taste and exactly what they need.

Celebratory gifts like champagne and treats, a savory gourmet basket, or delicious sweet treats acknowledge the milestone without making assumptions about what they still need to buy. If you're close enough to know what's missing, practical works. If not, a celebratory housewarming basket is safer. You can also split the difference with home gift baskets like Pasta Night or Salad Bowl—useful but not purely functional.

If a friend or family member is downsizing, it means they've already gotten rid of stuff—more stuff is the last thing they want. Focus on new home gift baskets that feature consumables or experiences, not objects that take up space.

Gourmet food gifts, wine and tasty treats, or tea and chocolate work well because they disappear. Avoid bulky kitchen items, decorative pieces, or anything that suggests they need to fill the new (smaller) space. That said, a cheerful accent like a faux flower arrangement is a great housewarming gift that will enhance their new space without adding clutter.

Yes. Housewarming gifts aren't about ownership—they're about celebrating a new home, whether that's a purchased house, a condo, or a rental apartment. Moving is a milestone regardless of whether there's a mortgage involved.

Choose the perfect gift that work for any living situation, whether it's a new condo, a rental, dorm or a family home. Gourmet treats, wine or champagne gifts, or games and entertaining gifts all make sense. Avoid anything too permanent or renovation-focused if it's a rental. The point is acknowledging their new space and the fresh start it represents, not the real estate transaction.

Housewarming parties call for something you can bring in hand—wine gifts are a perfect choice, and a gift box basket goes a little further than just swinging by the liquor store. Savory snack and treats gifts, or luxury chocolate and gourmet items work well. All the gourmet treats in our gift baskets will be savored by host and other attendees alike! Remember: You're showing up to celebrate, so the gift should feel festive and immediate.

If you're giving a gift after they've settled, you have more flexibility. You might choose something more substantial like University or Forest Hill or coordinate with others on a group gift. Post-move gifts can also be more tailored once you've seen the new place and know what might actually be useful or appropriate.

Yes. Steer clear of anything fragile that might break in transit or while they're still unpacking. Avoid large decorative items unless you know their style extremely well—nothing's worse than receiving art or furniture that doesn't fit your aesthetic and now you're stuck with it.

Also skip anything that creates immediate obligation: plants that need daily watering (they're already overwhelmed), pets (obviously), or food that needs refrigeration right away if they're mid-move. Stick with items that enhance their settling-in process rather than complicating it. Shelf-stable gourmet baskets, wine or champagne gifts, or chocolate and treats are safe bets.

When you don't know their style, layout, or what they need, consumables are your safest option. You can't go wrong with yummy treats, like a gourmet food basket or wine and snacks. Faux flowers also make beautiful gifts that work for any space and any aesthetic.

Avoid anything decorative, furniture-adjacent, or tied to a specific room setup. Even well-meaning gifts like kitchen tools or bathroom accessories can miss the mark if you don't know what they already have or what fits the space. When in doubt, choose something they'll enjoy rather than something they'll have to find a home for.

Absolutely. There's no expiration date on sending warm wishes to someone in a new home. In fact, waiting a bit means they're more settled and can actually appreciate the gesture rather than dealing with it mid-chaos.

Late housewarming gifts like a gourmet basket or a beautiful basket of wine and treats can be framed as "hope you're loving the new place" rather than "congrats on moving." If anything, sending such great gifts after the dust settles shows you were thinking of them beyond the immediate move frenzy.

Yes! We deliver across both countries, so you can send housewarming gifts to friends, family, or colleagues regardless of where they're located. For long-distance moves or when you can't attend a housewarming in person, this makes it easy to celebrate their new home even from far away.

If you're ordering from outside North America, you can still ship to Canadian and US addresses—useful for congratulating friends or family after an international move.

Yes—we offer same-day delivery within Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area when you order by 10:00 am EST, Monday to Friday. This is particularly helpful when you've just heard about a move or been invited to a last-minute housewarming.

For orders outside the GTA or with more lead time, standard delivery options are available across Canada and the USA. If you're planning ahead, ordering early ensures your gift arrives exactly when you want it to.