What to Bring to Someone's House for the First Time? (2023)

Last Updated on September 25, 2023 by Kimberlee Johnson

When you’re invited to a colleague or friend’s house for the first time, you get excited to see their place and hang out. But since it’s your first time, it would be best to bring a gift.

It would be a nice gesture or good etiquette to give a small gift or bring food they might like. So, read on if you’re looking for what to bring to someone’s house for the first time.

Table of Contents

Top 10 Gifts You Can Bring to Someone’s Home for the First Time

1. Bottle of Wine

Giving a bottle of wine is like giving value to your bond and friendship. “Wine and friends are a great blend,” people say. It means that wine and friends, together, can become a perfect combination.

Check the bottle and be thoughtful in choosing rather than grabbing the first bottle you see at the store.

Wine is a decent choice when you are uncertain about what to bring as a gift. Since it’s a perfect drink for many occasions like dinner parties, it can also be one of the perfect hostess gifts if you’re visiting someone’s house. Also, what should you say when giving a gift?

2. Cheese Board

Cheese boards are something you can give as housewarming gifts for first-time homeowners or at a fancy dinner party with your relatives. You can personalize a cheese board, engrave it and give it to your friend or relative.

It would be ideal to bring gifts that can be useful in the house. It would be better if the host or recipient were a cheese enthusiast, too.

But what should you bring to Easter dinner as a guest?

3. Chocolates

Gifting chocolate has a lot of meanings. It was said to be a strong symbol of caring, love, passion, and even a happy life [1].

It can undoubtedly make the hosts smile, creating positive vibes and moods. Not only does chocolate have antioxidants that can boost mood and raise endorphins in the brain, but it’s a sweet and very likable food.

No matter what chocolate type or flavor you prefer, chocolates are naturally tempting and appealing without any help. But what should you wear to a housewarming party?

4. Tin of Cookies

Gifting a tin of cookies will surely bring happiness to your host and other guests in the house. When buying presents like this, you can pick the flavors hosts usually like or purchase something depending on your budget.

You can make it extra special by baking it yourself so guests can enjoy it too! Homemade food may be a present they look forward to receiving.

Read: How Much To Give Priest For A House Blessing

5. Potted Plant

A potted indoor plant can also be an option, aside from the usual food at a dinner party occasion or a simple home visit.

Some say giving presents like plants demonstrates their care about the recipient’s health because the plant’s vibrance and color can be uplifting and do wonders in your mood.

It can also go with home room decorations and make a bizarre housewarming gift. Make sure to pick your host’s taste or style for the pot to fit in the house.

But if the host doesn’t have enough space inside the house, you should consider getting an outdoor plant.

Read: How To Tell Someone Not To Bring Their Dog To Your House

6. Fruit Basket

A fruit basket is an ideal and perfect gift to family in-laws, relatives, and friends over a weekend stay. It would also be ideal for occasions like birthdays and anniversaries or a housewarming gift on your first visit.

This fruit basket is a brilliant gift, especially for those you know who have everything they need. [2]. Also, putting a personal handwritten note like a thank you note to the host or hostess can make them feel appreciated.

Read: Things To Wear To A Retirement Party

7. Scented Candles

Among other gifts, these scented candles are more efficient and economical because they’re affordable. A well-balanced, fragrant, scented candle can do wonders for your mood, calm your mind, and help you reminisce happy thoughts.

It would be a very nice gesture to add labels and note cards to the decorative bag since it can be too simple.

Also Read: Do You Light A Candle For The Second Night Of Passover?

8. Painting

Gifting paintings can express your everlasting love, vow, and how much you treasure that host, family, or loved ones. When thinking of buying a gift for your close friends, it would be best to bring a gift that will last long.

With that, painting is one of the valuable gift ideas you may give to a loved one or a close friend. It will also hold emotional worth, just like a custom picture frame.

You might also want to read about what gifts to give someone from India here.

9. Flowers

Flowers are one of the hostess gift ideas you can search for. It has always been a lovely gift to every person on every occasion, especially anniversaries.

If you visit someone’s home for the first time, you can put the flowers in a simple vase or a mason jar along with greeting cards. Please take a few extra minutes to make it more presentable.

But what are the perfect housewarming gifts for a couple who has everything?

10. Dish Towels and Oven Mitts

Consider towels and kitchen fabrics, such gifts as dish towels and oven mitts, as a birthday, holiday, or even housewarming gift.

If the host loves cooking, baking, or experimenting in the kitchen, these dish towels and oven mitts are a good gift. Both dish towels and oven mitts will be within your budget because they’re affordable too.

Read:

Things to Consider

Age

The recipient can’t use the gift given since it’s not age-appropriate, and the present might be useless for them, so consider the age.

Gender

In today’s society, many are open about their sexual orientation, masculinity, femininity, and neutrality. The gifts also affect society’s gender role expectations, so gender orientation should be considered when giving.

If you want to be sure with your hostess gift without asking that person, you might consider giving food, a memorable meal, or neutral items.

Check out these polite ways to inform someone they can’t stay here at your house.

Relationship

We all know that gift-giving is one way of showing appreciation. You can increase your budget and go overboard if the host is a good friend, colleague, or close family member.

Giving gifts affects our relationship with others, like establishing and forming a connection with them. Also, it can be a point of resolution and hope in a relationship if you’re not on good terms with a friend or someone.

But how much should you spend on a housewarming present?

FAQs

Are there any gift taboos when visiting someone’s home?

Yes, there are gift taboos to consider when visiting someone’s home. In some countries like China, gifting someone a watch, sharp objects, and a handkerchief is taboo.

Find out the superstition about giving a watch here.

Is it rude to show up empty-handed?

Yes, it is rude to show up empty-handed. It’s not a decent impression to show up empty-handed, plus it doesn’t have to be all expensive. The thought of inviting you to their occasions is a form of their gift to you; you might somehow return the courtesy by bringing anything, even a small one.

But what are some excuses you can make to spend the night away from home?

Conclusion

In gift-giving etiquettes, always bring a hostess gift to a house you’ve never visited. Try considering the person’s interest, what type of occasion or party, and their culture and religion.

If you don’t know what to give, you can consider neutral gifts or food gifts such as wine, chocolate, cookies, or a fruit basket.

Nowadays, most hosts don’t expect this. But, in whatever case, it is a sign of courtesy and respect to give a gift to someone’s house for the first time.

References:

https://discover.hubpages.com/relationships/Meaning-Chocolate-Gift-Symbolic-Passion-Life
https://www.streetdirectory.com/food_editorials/health_food/fruits/why_fruit_baskets_make_a_good_gift.html

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Kimberlee Johnson

Kimberlee Johnson is a preschool teacher and a mom of 3. She puts a lot of thought into gift-buying and gift-giving as she believes that each gift should tell a story. She enjoys scrapbooking and watching the History Channel. Learn more about us here or you can email us [email protected].