Apartment Warming Gift Guide: Moving Time Means Party Time

The end of summer and beginning of fall seems to be the peak season of apartment warming parties. Once they are in full swing it can be time consuming to find the perfect gift. Yes, you can always go the bottle of wine route (we’ve all done it before), but if you are looking to step up your game this year there are great gifts available at all price points. Two things to keep in mind when shopping for apartment-warming gifts are:

1.      Keep It Small: The receiver of the gift is most likely still reeling from how many belongings they actually have after packing them into a moving van or better yet hauling them up several flights of, most likely, very narrow stairs. So try and steer clear of purchasing anything that can be used as furniture or is equal in size. You want to give them a gift that they will want to bring on their next move.

2.     Don’t Go For the Obvious: Choose a gift that is useful, but isn’t something the receiver would necessarily have on their initial shopping list. While your shopping, try to keep in the back of your mind that you want to give them the gift they never knew they needed until they have it. Plus, who wants to be the fourth person to gift a juicer?

Here is a selection of gift ideas that will hopefully inspire you, but also will not break the bank. You may even want a few for your own place!

$25 & UNDER

1// A new twist on giving a bottle of wine! This Sommelier 5-PC Wine Bottle Set from Z Gallerie not only looks great on a shelf, but houses everything one needs to enjoy their vino, including a corkscrew, wine pour, wine stopper, foil cutter and a wine ring all for under $20.

2// Just $10 each these porcelain typography trays from Nordstrom come in fun colors and patterns that you can pair up. They are perfect for small jewelry, keys, and other little odds and ends.

3// Everyone needs a slate cheese board and this one from HomeWetBar.com is only $24.95. Be sure to include a piece of chalk so they can label their favorite cheeses. Crate & Barrel has soapstone chalk that is perfect for writing in small spaces!

4// Fun salt and pepper shakers are always a great gift, as one can switch in a new pair easily and they make for great decorations. I have a feeling though that anyone who receives this shaker set from ModCloth will want to use them for a long time.

5// Not your average cocktail shaker, this one from Pier 1 Imports comes with how-to instructions written on the glass tumbler for Mai-Tai, Cosmopolitan, Tequila Sunrise and Long Island Tea drinks. Bartending made easy!

6// How can you not love this print from the DesignsByTenisha shop on Etsy! The print creates a silhouette of the state of your choice with its major cities. Personalize the print with the host/hostess’s name, their move-in date and a heart over the city they’re living in. Prints of countries are available as well!

7// A great serving tray is not only perfect for carrying drinks and snacks, but makes for an excellent accent piece. There are so many stylish trays available now in all different materials, colors and patterns, including this American Atelier Garden Lattice Tray from Bloomingdales on sale for only $12.49!

 

 

$50 & UNDER

 

 

1// How cute are these I Love New York napkins from Nicole Porter Design! They are a personalized gift at an affordable price—only $28 for a set of four. Visit her shop on Etsy to pick out the state your host or hostess will be living in.

2// This chic Bamboo Tasting Party Starter Set from Pier 1 Imports is a perfect gift for the friend that loves to host. The tray holds six mini glasses, 12 mini servers and six spoons. Hopefully this gift will get you invited back to try it out!

3// Pop! Pop! This little popcorn popper from C. Wonder makes up to four cups of popcorn in just a few minutes using hot air instead of oil. It is perfect for movie nights in their new digs and looks cute on the counter too.

4// For the new bachelor pad party these personalized Barley Pub Glasses from RedEnvelope will surely have the other gents jealous. Customize the set of four glasses with a name, year, city and state.

5// They may be little, but these adorable and practical Measuring Hedgies from Anthropologie will be coveted by all. The set of four are just so precious you may even want them for yourself!

6// A beautiful coffee table book is always a smart gift. The New York Times 36 Hours 150 Weekends in the USA & Canada from Biscuit Home is not only a wonderful, decorative piece, but will come in very handy for the host/hostess when planning weekend trips.

7// Perfect for a little snack or appetizer this set of four Rosanna porcelain plates from Nordstrom will add a punch of color to any new apartment and come in a cute box making them ready for gifting.

 

By