I am looking for some frugal but thoughtful house warming ideas. I will be visiting some friends who just moved into brand new homes (sooo envious!). I am not sure of their decorating styles or home colors and don't want to show up with something "tacky". And I have very limited DIY craft skils. Any suggestions?
Thanks!

Without knowing your friends it's hard to say, but some fairly traditional housewarming gifts are bottles of wine (if they drink) you could pair it with glasses if you wanted to go a bit fancier or a wine bucket to chill it. Or lots of people do house plants, but I don't know if they're "house plant" type people. Or you could do some monogrammed hand towels for their visitor bathroom. Really I don't think it matters that much as I'm sure they'll just appreciate the gesture of you thinking of them regardless of what it is.

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A houseplant is a traditional gift. There are some varieties that are almost impossible to kill -- trust me, I've tried -- in case your friends don't have green thumbs. Mums, although technically not houseplants, are pretty at this time of year. Maybe an aloe plant or some kind of herb for someone who spends a lot of time cooking.

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~Jeweled

I've done small gift cards to the home improvement centers for friends and family that are moving into a new house. I put a card with it that says something along the line of "to help with the home repairs that go along with owning a house". I've never had anyone move into a brand new house though, just a new to them house. I would think that you could still use it to buy flowers, plants or even curtain hangers though.

A gift card to take out would also be nice with a card along the lines of "dinner for you after a long day or unpacking/organizing".

I've done gift cards for amounts as small as $10 - it all depends on how well you know them and what your personal finances are. When we moved into our house we were grateful to anyone that gave us anything and were thinking of us. My mom bought us a planter and filled it for us, but it depends on seasons and where you live if you could do that.

One of my friends asked me and my kids to come over to go swimming one day.. and she was taking pics of all the kids... nothing new. About a week later I had my housewarming party and she had taken close-ups all of 3 of my kids with big smiles on their faces, turned them into 8x10 black and white prints and put them each in a black frame. They were our housewarming gift! They are sitting on my mantel.. and were my FAVORITE gift! Easy, cheap, and sentimental! I thought it was an AWESOME idea!!! Sneaky too. lol

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Those new Glade scented oil candle trio's are very nice. They would go with about any decor. Maybe that and something else.

My sister got a small tree from her in laws when they moved into their last house! They were able to plant it outside and watch it grow over the years! She was actually sad to leave the tree when she moved out!

Obviously some trees are pretty big, but you can get a bush or something too!

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Stay at home mom to my 3 boys... ages 5, 3 & 1!

I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

I like to buy Bath n Body soaps when they are on sale for these types of gifts. I can usually catch their 5 for 15 dollars sale. They are really good for any occasion. You can also find other great gift ideas there. Seems like they always have something on clearance. Then you won't have to worry about decor.

Have you seen those "Diaper Cakes" at baby showers? How about a "Toilet Paper Cake"?

Sandra

This was posted on another site.

Instead of diapers, you would use kitchen towels or wash cloths...you roll each one up and tie it with a rubber band. Then tie all of the towels together on each layer to make a tier. Make each layer as large as you want, do two or three tiers. You are supposed to put a wooden dowel in the middle, but I used a wrapping paper cardboard roll. You could also put an apron in the middle, instead. Then, after you've made all your tiers, you can tie ribbon around it to match the towels, or to go with the theme you are going with. You can then stick in things like wooden spoons, measuring spoons, or differnt kitchen utensils for added usefulness and decoration.

Sandra