The short answer: a housewarming gift should be easy to live with. A potted plant or a small succulent garden is the classic choice, because it grows with the new home and needs very little care. A bright bouquet in a vase is a lovely welcome for a party or a first visit, and a gift basket works well when you would rather send something to share.
Here is how to choose, what to avoid, and what to write on the card.
Why plants make the best housewarming gifts
A plant is the one gift that settles in with the new owners. It fills an empty corner, softens a bare windowsill and keeps going long after the boxes are unpacked. Many people keep a housewarming plant for years and remember who gave it to them.
Look for a plant that is forgiving. New homeowners are busy, and they are still learning where the light falls in each room. A plant that copes with a missed watering or a darker corner will thrive while they settle in, and it will still look good when friends start dropping by.
- Orchids. A phalaenopsis orchid is elegant and needs water only about once a week. The White Orchid Planter arrives in a glass vase or ceramic pot with river rocks and moss, ready to display. See all our orchids.
- Succulent gardens. Compact, tidy and very low care, they suit a condo, a kitchen counter or a home office. The Succulent Garden Boat is a cheerful pick.
- Planter gardens. Several plants in one container make a bigger statement for a house with room to fill. Browse our plants and succulents for orchid and green planter gardens.
When flowers are the better choice
Cut flowers make a wonderful first impression, and they are perfect if you are invited to a housewarming party, because they brighten the room on the day. Choose an arrangement that arrives in a vase or a basket, so your hosts do not have to hunt for a vase in boxes they have not unpacked yet.
Cheerful mixed colours suit the occasion well. Our best sellers are a good place to start, and our flowers and gifts under $60 show that a thoughtful gift does not have to cost a lot.
Gift baskets for sharing
A gift basket is a practical housewarming present, especially for a family or for friends who are hosting a lot of visitors. A fruit basket or a basket of treats gives them something to offer guests in the first busy weeks. Browse our gift baskets. Gift baskets are made to order and need at least one day's notice, so plan a little ahead.
Matching the gift to the home
- A condo or first apartment. Space is tight and light can be limited, so a small succulent garden or a single orchid fits best. Both sit happily on a windowsill or a kitchen counter.
- A family house. A planter garden or a generous basket suits a bigger space, and a gift basket of treats is welcome when the whole family is busy unpacking.
- Parents or grandparents downsizing. Moving from a long-time family home can be bittersweet. A soft, pretty bouquet or a plant for their new balcony or windowsill is a gentle way to say you are thinking of them.
- A new office or shop. A plant for the reception desk or a bright arrangement for the opening day makes a thoughtful congratulations from clients or neighbours.
What to avoid
- Very large plants, unless you know the home has space for them.
- Loose bouquets with no vase, since the vases may still be packed.
- Plants that need fussy care, if the new owners are not keen gardeners.
- Strong fragrances, if you are not sure of the household's tastes.
What to write on the card
A short, warm message is all you need:
- "Congratulations on your new home. Wishing you many happy years here."
- "Welcome home! May this little plant grow along with all your new memories."
- "To new beginnings and many happy gatherings. Love from all of us."
Every order from us includes a free handwritten card.
Timing your gift
There is no wrong time to send a housewarming gift. Sending in the first week or two is lovely, but a plant that arrives a month later, once the move is behind them, can be just as welcome. If you are going to a housewarming party, send flowers the day of the party or the day before, so they are already on display when guests arrive.
Ordering from Mystic Flowers
Every bouquet, basket and planter is prepared in our Mississauga studio. We deliver across the GTA, we offer same-day delivery of fresh flowers, and delivery is free on orders over $50. Questions about a gift for a new home? Call us at 905-677-9999.