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What to Give - What Not to Give

Start a Tradition
Pass along one of your own family traditions, such as bringing an iron cricket on the hearth for good luck, a wreath to symbolize hospitality, or a guest book to record events and celebrations.

Give the Gift of Memories
Bring a photo album of your special times together. On the last page leave a space for a photo of their new home and write: "To be continued..." This can be an inexpensive gift that will be treasured now and in the future.

Transform the Ordinary
Flowering plants, green plants, plant baskets, or fresh flower arrangements can be a pretty ordinary gift -- or they can be spectacular . Choose, make, or order something really lush and gorgeous, decorated with bows, balloons, or ornaments, and placed in a beautiful container.

One Big Beautiful
... take your pick: vase, bowl, basket, cache pot, coffee table book, pitcher, or tray. Most people can use another one of these. Choose simple classic shapes and colors, or make it something special for a current holiday such as a blue bowl decorated with white stars for July 4th or a vase etched with little hearts for a housewarming close to Valentine's Day.
The Bad

Scraggly plants
Never give a plant or floral arrangement that looks like it has seen better days. This can be an additional problem in very hot or very cold weather too, since fresh greens can wilt quickly in temperature extremes. And never give a plant to someone who will have no interest in looking after it.

Pets
Never give something so personal as a pet, unless you know for a fact that this would be a welcome gift. Pets will demand a time and care commitment that many people are too busy to give.

Food
Be careful with food gifts. Candy will be all wrong for someone watching calories, while fresh fruit will be wasted if the recipients have an out of town trip coming up. Only when you know the person well can appropriate food items be chosen that will be welcomed.

Don't Ignore Their Taste
Perhaps you love antiques but your friends love contemporary. Don't force your preferences on them with an unwelcome gift of something only you think they "should" like. Chances are the gift will be a dud. Better to go with something "ordinary" than to strike out completely.

Recycled Gifts
Don't ever (repeat after me) -- don't ever give a gift that you've already received yourself, then rewrapped for someone else. It's tacky, and eventually someone will probably figure out what happened, then everyone will be embarassed.
Gift Sources

• Where to Find Gifts
  Use these sites as possibilities for great Housewarming Gift Sources.

• Throwing a Housewarming Party
  About's Entertaining Guide, Donna Pilato, has planning and menu suggestions for a terrific Housewarming Party.
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