Top Ten Gift Ideas for the New Homeowner

Buying a new house is always an exciting and chaotic time. The new homeowner can't wait to get settled in, but it usually takes a little while to get all those boxes unpacked. When they are done unpacking, and sometimes before, they start noticing the little things they need to make their new house a home. That's where you come in. Remember, the big gifts are great, but it's the little ones that really matter. Here is my list of ideas to give to that special new homeowner in your life.

10. FOOD SAVER BOWLS
By the time they are done unpacking, they will probably realize they are missing half the lids to the saver bowls they already own. Nevermind, the fact that the ones they do have are probably stained and wilted from the microwave. These bowls come in handy in more than just the kitchen. They can take a couple to the garage to hold screws, use them in the bathroom for hair accessories, and even in the laundry room for loose buttons and change. They can make organizing a little bit easier, which is exactly what the new homeowner needs.

9. CAMERA OR FILM
Ok, so the camera is probably not going to be super cheap, but it makes a great gift for a new homeowner. They can record their first memories in their new house on film. It's always neat to look back at pictures from when you first moved in and see how much things have changed. If they already own a good camera, get them some film, or a new memory card if they own a digital camera.

8. CANDLES
Candles are a great way to freshen up any area. Ask your friend what his/her favorite scents are, then buy a couple for the main rooms in their house. Not only will their new place smell great, but it will also have a more peaceful feeling. You could also buy them a candle warmer. The warmers come in a variety of different styles and seem to make the candles last quite a bit longer.

7. RUGS
Rugs make great gifts for the new homeowner for more than one reason. One reason is that they can liven up a dull room by adding a splash of color to the floor. The main reason I believe rugs make excellent gifts for the new owner, is that they keep your house a little cleaner for a little longer. Placing a rug at each entrance can really save that beautiful new carpet and the new homeowner's peace of mind.

6. TOWELS
In my opinion, you can never have enough towels. Towels are fairly inexpensive and come in a huge variety of colors and designs. You can buy either bath or kitchen towels. It is a pretty good idea to buy these in neutral colors, because the owner may not know what colors they will be decorating with yet.

5. PICTURE FRAMES
Noone wants to look at dull walls for very long, it tends to get depressing. A good way to add life to a room, is to add pictures. Most people have pictures tucked away in a file or drawer, but tend to leave them there. They kind of get forgotten. If you buy them picture frames, they can finally showcase their wonderful pieces. Picture frames come in so many different sizes, shapes, colors, and materials. Keep the homeowner's interests in mind when choosing the frame. If they have alot of woodwork in their house, or seems somewhat country, maybe they would like all wood frames. If their house is a bit more contemporary, maybe you should go with a black frame, or a sleek stainless steel one. Just for fun, you could frame an old picture of you and the homeowner, or a memory the two of you shared together.

4. DECORATING MAGAZINES OR BOOKS
Many new homeowners face the dilemma of not knowing what to do with their lovely new home. They want to add that special little touch that let's everyone know it is their home. There are so many decorating magazines and books out right now to help them along. They are full of tips and ideas to spruce your home up. Your biggest problem will be deciding which one to buy. If you can't decide, buy a few and make a gift basket.

3. CLEANING SUPPLIES
Anytime you move into a new house, the first thing you want to do is clean it. Even if you move into a brand new home, it is still wise to give everything a good scrubbing. Many people forget to buy cleaning supplies when they first move in. Here are a few things I would add to the list: broom, dust pan, mop, mop bucket, spray cleaner, bleach, mopping liquid, magic eraser, sponges, scrub brush, paper towels, toilet cleaner, and window cleaner, You could even use the mop bucket as the gift basket. Just fill it up with the supplies, add a bow, and you're done!

2. GIFT CARDS
Gift cards sound like a boring gift, but you really can't go wrong with them. When you buy a gift card, you know the recipient will like what they get. You don't have to worry about getting the right color, or getting them something they already have. You could get them a gift card from a variety of stores. If you think they might want to decorate, or remodel a little, get them a gift card from one of the big home stores like, The Home Depot or Lowes. You could even get them one from the local grocery store to help them stock up on food. Which, leads me to my number one gift idea for a new homeowner.

1. FOOD
When they first move into their new place, they will be lucky to find the toilet paper, let alone a frying pan. They probably won't feel much like cooking anyway. Especially, after working so hard trying to put their house in order. If they have just started moving in, I would suggest buying them super easy stuff to make. Focus mainly on microwavable foods if they don't mind them. You could even just buy them food that has already been prepared. If they are settled in enough to know where everything is, food is still a great idea. It is always a great feeling to know that your cabinets and fridge are full of food. You could buy them any sort of food, ranging from canned vegetables to hamburger meat. If you keep the homeowners likes and dislikes in mine, this is definately a gift they will be sure to love.

Well, there you have it, my top ten gift ideas that I'm sure most new homeowners would appreciate. If you feel like these gifts are just not enough, do something that would ensure that they will love you forever, help them move.