Functional gifts that will warm the home and hearts of your friends.
Visiting a friend’s new home is always fun, but thinking about what to buy for a housewarming gift can get tricky, especially if you want to ensure that it’s something they’ll end up using.
Whether you’re buying it yourself or rallying a group of mutual friends to chip in, here are some housewarming gift ideas to consider.
P.S. You might even benefit from some of them!
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Under $30
1. Homeware Designed by Local Artists | From $15.90
What makes us Singaporean? Living in HDB flats, hawker food, and eastern medications we grew up with (like Pipagao that Zayn Malik dubbed “honey from China”) - just to name a few.
Far from kitschy, the cushion covers, door mats and more by local design studio wheniwasfour very accurately capture this sense of nationalism and nostalgia. And since home is where the heart is, their products make for appropriate (and inexpensive) housewarming gifts in Singapore.
2. Reed Diffuser for Hotel-Like Scents | From $16.91
If your friends love the smell of hotels, then they’ll love these reed diffusers. With scents inspired by hotels like the Ritz-Carlton (English Country Inn) and Marriott (Maldives Villa), these diffusers by Pristine Aroma are an affordable way to replicate the luxurious vibe that these hotels have.
3. Singapore-Themed Card Game | $21.90
Here’s a tip if you love going to your friends’ homes: get them board/card games for their housewarming so they’ll invite you over again to play.
Not sure which to get? Try Hawker Wars by SYNT Studio (the people behind The Singaporean Dream) if you’re looking for yet another uniquely Singaporean housewarming gift!
Under $50
4. Matcha Tea Set | $39.81
Matcha has become extremely popular in recent times, with more and more people making it at home to curb price increases at cafes. If you’ve got any matcha-loving friends, getting them a matcha tea set is a no-brainer.
5. Xiaomi Smart Lamp | $46.90
From adjustable colours and brightness levels, this smart lamp has numerous features packed into its tiny frame. As it’s Wi-Fi-enabled, it can be controlled directly from the smartphone, or by voice assistants like Alexa if your friend has them.
6. Aesop Hand Wash | $49
View this project by The Local INN.terior 新家室
Soap isn’t the first thing you’d think about when it comes to decor, but with its iconic minimalist bottle design, Aesop’s hand wash has become a ‘statement piece’ in modern homes (even hotels). While it is rather pricey for a hand wash, it’s not out-of-the-ordinary in terms of a gift value, which makes it a good gift because it’s something that everyone would probably want, but are unlikely to buy for themselves!
Under $100
7. Xiaomi Dust Mite Vacuum | from $57.90
Beyond the visible dust bunnies and hair on surfaces like beds and sofas, this vacuum works hard and fast to target dust mites with high-frequency beating (10,000 times per minute) and dehumidifying/sterilising functions. It’s high time to gift your friend a sound, allergen-free sleep!
Watch our review of the Xiaomi Dust Mite Vacuum here.
8. Charcuterie Board | $75.69
Once upon a time, cheeseboards used to be a boujee culinary concept that only the high-SES enjoyed (at least here in Singapore). These days, though, they’ve become somewhat ubiquitous and a mainstay at gatherings.
In other words, if your friend loves cheese and/or hosting, you can be sure that any charcuterie board you give them won’t go to waste.
9. Ninja Blast Portable Blender | $99
With homes getting smaller, countertop space in kitchens has also become extremely precious. So, rather than buying your friend a bulky blender, get this portable one by Ninja which takes up little space and can be used as a bottle for protein shakes/smoothies on the go as well.
Under $200
10. Cooling Bedsheets for Singapore’s Warm Weather | Varying Prices
No one likes waking up drenched in perspiration. And while it’s not feasible to gift your friends air conditioning units, you can give them a set of ultra-comfy, cooling and moisture-wicking bedsheets made of bamboo, linen, TENCELTM and the like.
11. Bruno Compact Hotplate | From $203*
This one’s another good housewarming gift idea for those who like to host. Bruno hotplates serve multiple purposes in that they come with a flat plate for regular grilling and a takoyaki plate. Apart from cooking, it also has a food-warming setting so that your dishes won’t get cold throughout the entire meal.
*While the price listed as at time of publication is $203 and just over the $200 budget, Bruno’s official store on Shopee frequently has this on sale under $200.
Explore: 8 Kitchen Appliances to Level Up Your Party Hosting Game
12. Super Short Throw Smart Projector | $199
These days, any home can turn into a ‘cinema’ - all you need is a good projector.
This one by Aerglo boasts a super short throw, which means you don’t need a lot of space between the projector and screen/wall for a wide view. Plus, it’s compatible with streaming services like Netflix, and so compact you can easily store it in a cabinet when not in use.
And did we mention that it supports ceiling projection for those who love to watch movies while lying in bed? You’re welcome.
Hey there — just so you know, all products listed in this article are independently curated by us. By clicking and purchasing from Shopee links, you will help to support our research and work by allowing us to earn a share of sales — here's a big thank you in advance! Do note that prices listed are accurate as of 6 December 2024.
This article was originally published on 7 October 2021 and last updated on 6 December 2024
Get your housewarming gifts today!
Whether you have a big budget or not, these practical housewarming gifts will almost certainly be a hit among your friends. Plus, with their stylish designs, you really can’t go wrong with any of them.
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