Housewarming gift

I got invited to a housewarming, and even though I will be totally anxious, I decided to go! But now I need to get a gift, any suggestions? I met this person this semester in college (Summer '09), we don't know each other very well, only got to talking the last few classes, but we seem to get along quite well.

Also, as much as I would like to be the classy lady who brings a bottle of wine, I'm not old enough to buy the liquor yet. :/

Depends on how daring you want to be (and how much it would bother you to pick something they don't want)

If you're feeling conservative, get them a gift card to Bad Beth and Beyond (she's really really bad.)

If you feel like taking a chance, get her something she could use that isn't too personal like a flower vase or a small picture frame.

do you know thier colors?  you can bring dish towels in a basket...or even better in a bundt pan or something...with a fancy cake mix or something...

or almost anything from Harry and Davids

Also along the gift-card line, you could choose one from a home-improvement store.  People moving into a new home always need some sort of tool or another.

I like Kae's idea of the bundt pan and cake mix, if you know the person enjoys cooking.  Not many people buy themselves bundt pans, but they're great to have, so make a fun gift.

Who is this person? How old? Do you know about any of his/her tastes.. in such things as music, hobbies, etc? Is this an active person, layed back, does he/she read? (if so what kinds of books).

Anything ideal would go from something of personal consumption, such as you mentioned, wine, chocolates, even a home made pie or cake (though that reminds me to those 80's american movies).

Any large coffee table book would be good too. What does he/she study? Anything relating to art, arcitecture, design in general, or those typical TIMES in pictures are great since anyone who visits can simply pick one up and look at the pretty pictures.

Plants are nice too, yet you need to be careful in considering if this may be more of a burden to this person seeing as he/she will have to contantly be watering it.

But alas.. wine is generally the easiest and most assuredly enjoyed by everyone gift. It still surprises how stickt americans are with alcohol laws. But im sure there can be a way to obtain it. Older siblings? friends? parents?

Hm. Well.. Recently... I actually gave my sister a wreath for her door for a housewarming gift. She loved it. Wreaths and door decorations can hang both inside your home and outdoors.  It's possible to make them yourself if you know the person well for a personal touch or browse. There are a variety of unique designs for all seasons. Some people have little posts outside on their porch for flags too. Hanging a wreath on your door is a quick/easy way to decorate your home and neighborhood. In addition it's sending out a warm welcome to visitors. I don't know if this would suit her personality or not. Lol!

Just a friendly suggestion. :) 

btw: They even have crafty wreaths with different college themes. They probably even have the decorative flags in your college theme as well. Depending upon her age/taste that may be more suitable than traditional styles.

You could get her flowers. They'll look pretty in her new place, they don't require much maintenance, and hey, if she doesn't like 'em, they'll be dead in a week anyways. And she can keep the vase if she likes it.

Of course, I've never been to a house warming, so I dunno...

I am a huge fan of flowers - fresh flowers make a house / apt very warm and inviting. Buy an inexpensive vase and put fresh flowers in it, then the vase is their gift to keep. You could upgrade to more expensive if you want to or have the means. A nice vase like this one or this one would go with just about any decor and you could also get different shapes or sizes to fit your price range. (That first link just happens to be the first housewarming gift I ever received when I lived on my own, and it's still a great vase I use all the time - and I remember the person who gave it to me -- it was like 15 years ago). You could also do a smaller version, like a bud vase, with just one or two flowers in it instead.

Get her a basket full of non-toxic cleaning products, like from Method or Watkins or Mrs. Meyers.  They're useful and they smell great and if you arrange it right, it'll be purdy too.

what about a plant?  Isn't that the old-school standard?  Maybe a hanging plant for the porch (if they have one!) or something they could put in a corner or on a coffee table or in a window?

i like plants.  what can i say.

If you're going to do a vase, go to Michael's and pick up the vase and the stones for about 1/2 what you'd pay at Crate and Barrell.  Flowers are always classic, so are teapots, tea sets, spice sets, etc.

Depending on the age of the person it might change what you decide to get.  A strawberry pot with herbs and potting soil is nice, so is the kitchen herb planter from Trader Joe's.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I am liking the non-toxic cleaning products and coffee table book. They both seem practical. She is 21 for what it matters, atheist, and really into mathematics.

Make them a gift basket, with a box of movie theater butter popcorn, m&ms, and a $10 gift card for blockbuster. You can also throw in some other candies or maybe a big bottle of coke.

Maybe it's a little corny, but this was my favourite house warming gift.

Original Post by splitrail:

Maybe it's a little corny, but this was my favourite house warming gift.

Same, actually.

The person who got us that did well. :D

(actually, ours doesn't look quite like that, but it's got the same saying)

Original Post by splitrail:

Maybe it's a little corny, but this was my favourite house warming gift.

 Mine says Nice Underwear.  My mother detests it, says I'm tacky. 

My favorite bachlorette housewarming present was an inexpensive, single serving rice cooker/steamer.  It was about 20$, I think, and I could cook just enough rice and a small chicken breast or porkchop at the same time.

But that's more for someone you know well; the other suggestions are more practical for an acquaintance.

Original Post by runesplendor:

Original Post by splitrail:

Maybe it's a little corny, but this was my favourite house warming gift.

 Mine says Nice Underwear.  My mother detests it, says I'm tacky. 

 

 I have a new want!

You could always get her a Crock-Pot. Slow Cookers are a fantastic addition to any kitchen. I use mine!

Original Post by splitrail:

Maybe it's a little corny, but this was my favourite house warming gift.

 Me too! I <3 corny stuff like this.