My boss and his girlfriend are having an open house party. I want to get them a thoughtful but inexpensive gift and know nothing of their decor. Doubtful they need anything. I was thinking about nice wine or martini sets, but they have all that and more. Any ideas?

a bottle of wine
a home made treat in a pretty basket
a plant

A bird house.

It doesn't have to match any decor....then they can welcome a "new family" to a new home too!!!

I would bring a nice big flowering plant...maybe one that they could plant in their yard after the flowers were gone.

The traditional gift for a new home is a loaf of bread (something from a specialty bakery, of course) and salt (I'd buy a small jar of specialty salt from a health food store - our local one has a salt that is $16 an ounce!) If you like you can throw it into a nice basket with a few kitchen towels (or miracle clothes) and a jar of jam.

Personally, I wouldn't be too into attending the party since this is a house the guy is buying this his girlfriend. I can't get to excited about a couple doing all the house-playing but not actually getting married.

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

I have never heard of this.....where did you find this info.....wondering what I am missing here (I have never received bread or salt, let alone both)

Plant
Seasonal wreath
Scented candle
Welcome mat
Vase
Picture frame
Wine

Huh, I can't help but be slightly offended after reading this....


Anyways, on to the question...

As far as gifts- food is always a good gift for people who "have it all." You could try searching for a local area winery to see if you could pick up something a bit less common. If it were me I'd probably add a homemade biscuit mix (not plain though) and savory jam to accompany it, with a decorated butter knife and tea towel in the basket.

There is a Jewish tradition of giving bread (you'll never be hungry), salt (good luck) and a broom (sweep worries away) as a gift for new home. I'm not Jewish personally, but we have a lot of Jewish friends and that's where I heard about it.

I've heard of a Italian tradition too...with sugar (for sweetness in life) and wine (you'll never be thirsty). So it may be something that is common in a lot of different European cultures.

It's kinda interesting!

I googled:

Housewarming: Preteen Health Information

Housewarming party etiquette - Germany

Welcome To Your New Home - A House Warming For Good Luck

That seems a little judgemental since you don't even know the couple or anything about their relationship.