So, you live in an apartment community, and you notice that you’ve got some new neighbors moving in. You want to do your part to increase community ties, so you decide to drop by and welcome the new residents to the complex. You also know that it is customary when doing so to bring a gift. But what kind of gift should you give?
We’ve all seen advertisements and heard commercials that offer unique suggestions on what to purchase for ‘the person who has everything.’ But what does that even mean? Well, it seems to be implying that there are people out there who already own everything that they could ever possibly need, and that for these people, your best bet when it comes to purchasing a gift for them it to find something so unconventional that they couldn’t possibly already own anything like it.
However, before you rush out and purchase something completely off-the-wall, consider that there may be a reason that your gift recipient doesn’t already own the unconventional gift in question: He or she doesn’t want it.
According to the National Retail Federation, approximately $55 billion in gifts are returned or exchanged in the United States every year. This would seem to indicate that a lot of us have absolutely no idea what we should be getting for the person who has everything, or even for the person who only has a few things. But once it becomes clear that plastic singing fish and motorized tie racks aren’t quite as appreciated as we might expect them to be, we’re left with a bit of a problem. What is it that people really want?
Of course, there’s no simple answer to that question. After all, everyone is a different person, and a gift that may make one recipient weep for joy, might only earn a forced smile and an insincere ‘thank-you’ from another. This issue becomes especially obvious when you’re giving a gift to someone you don’t already know. However, whether your gifting to a close friend or family member, or your giving a present to a new neighbor that you’ve never met, a good rule to follow is to try to give them something practical.
With that in mind, take a look at our list of seven practical housewarming gifts that your neighbor will really be able to use.
1. Anti-bacterial hand soap
It’s no secret that it’s important to wash hands regularly. After all, the amount of grime, dirt, germs, and bacteria that collects on our fingers and palms throughout the day is almost unfathomable. Your new neighbor will probably already have some soap carried over from their last residence, but you can surprise them with something better by investing in some nice, aromatic, anti-bacterial hand soap in a stylish dispenser. The gift won’t cost you more than a few dollars, and you can be sure that the soap will be put to immediate use.
2. Pre-printed envelopes
One aspect of moving that often goes overlooked, is the informing of friends and loved ones of the new address. This may be due to the fact that many new residents have yet to memorize the address themselves, and thus tend to unconsciously procrastinate when it comes to sending it out to others. Help your new neighbor on both counts, by making or ordering for them some pre-printed envelopes. These envelopes should feature the neighbor’s name and new address in the upper left-hand corner, and should be designed to look classy and professional (after all, they may want to use some of these envelopes for official business). Just remember, you’re going to need to do some homework to find out your new neighbor’s name before you can get these envelopes printed. Alternatively, you could leave off the name, and only print the address.
3. Rechargeable batteries
Batteries can be a real headache. They can be expensive to buy, difficult to dispose of, and are used in almost everything. And, there’s a good chance that someone who is still unpacking boxes might discover that they have a number of electronic devices that need power, but no available batteries to provide it. On the other hand, if you stop by with a gift of rechargeable batteries, you’ll be giving a gift that will keep on giving for months or years to come. Some of the most commonly used batteries for home devices are AA and AAA batteries, but you might consider giving some rechargeable 9V batteries instead, as these are commonly used in smoke detectors.
4. Paintbrushes and a gift card
One of the first things that many new residents want to do once they move in is repaint some of their interior walls. Of course, when it comes to rentals, this can be somewhat tricky. In most cases (but be sure to check with the property manager and the rental agreement), residents are allowed to paint interior walls, just as long as they repaint the walls the original color before moving out. If your new neighbor is interested in personalizing the color of their new home, then you can set them on the right path by purchasing them some nice paint brushes, and a giftcard to a local paint or hardware store.
5. Motion-activated trashcan
As your new neighbor unpacks, there’s a good chance that they’ll end up with more than their fair share of recyclable and non-recyclable trash, in the form of boxes, packing material, etc. Help with the cleanup effort by giving them a new trashcan, complete with a motion-activated lid. All they’ll have to do is wave a hand over the built-in sensor, and the lid will automatically open, allowing them to drop trash inside without having to get their hands dirty. This gift may be a little more expensive than some of the others on this list, but you can be sure that it is one that will be appreciated.
6. Hanging keyboard/mail organizer
They say that time is the most precious commodity that we have. You can give your new neighbor the gift of time by helping them stay organized, and a hanging keyboard and mail organizer may be the perfect way to do so. A stylish board with a few different hooks on which to hang keys, when coupled with a few slots for bills, personal correspondence, coupons/mailers, etc., will help your neighbor keep track of some very important things. And, with their keys and important documents all secure in one location, they’ll also be able to save themselves the time that they might have spent having to scour the apartment whenever something goes missing. Mail organizers with built-in key hooks can be purchased at various locations and online, or, if you have the tools and the talent, you can design and build one yourself.
7. Celebration in a box
No matter how you look at it, moving is a stressful endeavor. So, if you can find a way to relieve some of that stress, you’ll be giving a gift that helps sow the seeds of real friendship. So, get a nice looking box or container, and fill it with a few fun things to help your new neighbor unwind and celebrate their new residence. Favorite snacks and beverages, a movie or two, a board game, some giftcards to a local restaurant, or whatever other entertaining items you can think of can help finish off the move on a positive note. After all, your neighbor is starting a new life in a new apartment, and that’s certainly something worth celebrating.