Yes, a plant is a considerate gift for a friend or family member who just moved into a new house. But you know what’s better? A whole lot of stuff. If you want to come up with a thoughtful, useful, and memorable gift for a new homebuyer, we’ve got some ideas.
1. Housecleaning services
Presumably, the house your loved ones are moving into is nice and clean when the moving truck arrives. But what is it going to look like after they’ve been emptying and breaking down boxes and walking in and out of every room multiple times? A certificate for housecleaning services a few days or a week out from their move-in will be a much-appreciated gift.
2. A home-cooked meal
In all the chaos of packing and moving and unpacking, it can be easy to forget to do “normal” daily things… like actually eat a meal. Show up with dinner and you’ll be a superstar. And don’t forget to bring serving pieces, disposable dishes and silverware, and a package of napkins since the kitchen boxes may not be unpacked yet.
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3. Groceries
Or, show up with groceries and stock the fridge right after everything is moved in and the electricity is turned on. Getting to the market may be a priority for them, but with so many other conflicting priorities, it may have fallen to the bottom of a long list.
4. A meal kit delivery service
If your new homebuyer friends or family members are busy professionals and/or parents, they’ll undoubtedly appreciate being able to simplify dinner. Blue Apron, Plated, and Hello Fresh all offer their own version of “a freshly prepped meal-in-a-box,” as Forbes calls them, and many of them have introductory specials you can get in on.
5. Help with unpacking
There’s nothing like the gift of time when it feels like the moving-out and moving-in process is never-ending.
6. Find landscapers
Super organized people may have already taken care of finding a landscaper in their new neighborhood, but, for many others, this is one of those things that can fall through the cracks, and the next thing you know, the HOA is sending you notices about your overgrown lawn. You can be a great friend by helping to find a landscaping service in their new neighborhood and setting up an appointment for the lawn to be cut just before or after the move, as needed.
7. Offer babysitting services
Sometimes, just making sure the kids are taken care of and entertained is all someone needs to get through a stressful event like moving.
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8. A move-in care package
Hit Target and put together an “essentials” bag full of things you know will come in handy the first few days/nights in the house. You can personalize to your friends’ and family’s tastes and include things like: a bottle of wine and disposable glasses, high-protein snacks like nuts and bars, toilet paper, Ibuprofin, and light bulbs and batteries.
9. A cleaning basket
A package of Swiffer floor cleaners. A box of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. A new broom. Dish and laundry detergent. A toilet plunger. A couple of bottles of cleaning spray and a few rolls of paper towels. They’re all the cleaning items your loved ones may not have thought to buy or bring with them (or may not know which box they’re in, if they did).
10. Gift cards
Not sure if you should go this route because it might feel impersonal? A gift card to Target, Home Depot, the local supermarket, or a hot new restaurant in their new neighborhood will always be appreciated, especially when those unexpected costs of moving to a new place start to catch up with your friends.