A gift for the home is a perfect gift when you don’t want to get too personal. But don’t be so presumptuous to think that you know which sofa or coffee table someone would like. Stick with gifts that can go anywhere.
When buying gifts for the home, it’s important to choose something that you know the recipient will like, as they’ll probably feel as though they have to display it, at least when you come to visit. So be careful!
See if any of our ideas will help when you’re shopping for a gift for a special occasion.
- A Floral Arrangement or Plant
You can buy a plant almost anywhere—a grocery store, a home repair store, a nursery. And even if your recipient doesn’t have a green thumb, a healthy plant will last several months and bring a fresh look to any room. Choose a pot, or pass along one that you have, that is decorative in the style of the home. If you’re feeling artistic, find a container and some good-looking artificial flower stems and put together a floral arrangement for a hallway, bedroom, or other private space. Choose colors and textures that will coordinate with the color scheme (be sure to check before you buy) of its intended resting place. - Candles and Candle Holders
There’s really nothing like a collection of scented candles to add to the atmosphere of a room and bring a welcoming, romantic ambiance to the space. Find some simple or beautiful candle holders at a decorating store or discount home store and select colored, scented tapers with a fragrance that you love. But beware: if you love floral and your intended recipient likes fruity, set aside your personal taste and go with what they’d like. You could even offer a suggestion as to where you think the candles could go. - Room Spray
If you’re on a tight budget, shop for a spray room fragrance in decorative packaging. For about $10 you can offer a gift of scent to any man or woman. And it doesn’t have to go just in the bathroom! A spritz of nice fragrance in a bedroom can be soothing at night. Or a quick spray in a kitchen will freshen things up. - A Mohair Throw
I went on a trip to Ireland last year and bought a beautiful mohair blanket to give as a gift. It would have been perfect for almost anyone, but I kept it! And I love it. Who wouldn’t? A soft, luxurious lap blanket, throw, or comforter is a great gift that will be used by almost anyone. And if you choose carefully, it will enhance the room and be a reminder of how generous you are. - A Lamp
A small lamp in a kitchen or bathroom counter or on a bookshelf adds ambiance and warmth to a room. It can even serve as a night light in a bedroom. Find a lamp that won’t take up too much space, can take a low wattage light bulb, and will coordinate with the decorating scheme of the room. - A Mirror or Picture
If you have a photograph of a special occasion you shared, you should think about getting a beautiful frame and give it as a gift. It will be a reminder of the time you spent together. Or a small piece of artwork or needlework would be much appreciated. Again, choose something that will find a perfect home, with coordinated style and colors for the space. A mirror in an interesting frame is also a nice gift, as it is neutral. A small framed mirror on a plate stand or a mirror to hang in a particular place on a wall is a thoughtful idea. - Small TV/ Radio/CD Player
I have a small TV at my desk, and love the simple distraction it provides when I’m working. It would also be perfect on a kitchen counter or in the bathroom. Nothing fancy! There are under-cabinet models that combine a TV, AM/FM radio, and CD player into one small piece that hangs from an upper cabinet in the kitchen. It’s an extravagant gift, but one that will undoubtedly be appreciated almost every day. - A Power Drill
I received a variable speed reversing cordless drill one Christmas, and I use it almost weekly. What a luxury and convenience! It may not seem very exciting or something that will add beauty to a home, but it does! Any time I want to install something on a wall, drill a hole to thread electrical wire through, install a window blind, or tighten a loose screw, out comes the drill. I love it! It didn’t take long to get used to and I don’t know what I’d do without it!
The next time you need to buy a house gift for someone, think about our ideas. Would one of them be the ideal gift to give for this special occasion?