The right housewarming gift depends on where your friends are in the move. A couple holding fresh BTO keys to an empty flat will use a toolbox long before a vase, and a family planning a party needs something for the table. Find their stage below, then check the customs and the home fragrance tips before you wrap anything.
What to give at each stage of the move
- They just got the keys. The BTO, HDB resale flat or condo is still empty, and weekends go to measuring up and meeting contractors. The colour scheme is probably still undecided, so hold the decor. A good toolbox gets used at once, and so does dinner after a long site visit.
- They are renovating. The flat is all dust and deadlines, and they may still be living with parents or renting. Help beats objects at this stage. Pay for a post-renovation clean, or give up a Saturday to help them pack.
- They have moved in. Now the gaps show, from bin liners to the extension cord nobody packed. It is also the moment for home fragrance, because there is finally a clean shelf to put it on.
- They are hosting a housewarming. Bring something for the table that suits the hosts, and ask before buying anything big. Our personalised gifts guide has keepsake ideas with real thought behind them.
Customs worth knowing, and what to skip
Singapore families mark a new home in different ways, and plenty skip the rituals. As TheSmartLocal's guide to home blessing customs describes, some Chinese families roll a pineapple through the house, because in Hokkien its name sounds like "prosperity". If they do, offering to bring the pineapple is a kind touch. Some Hindu families boil milk until it overflows, as a sign of abundance. If you are not sure which customs the hosts keep, ask.
- No clocks or knives. In Chinese gift etiquette, clocks are linked with death and sharp objects with cutting ties, according to AsiaOne's guide to gifting across cultures. Families who follow it may not want the wall clock or the knife set.
- No alcohol for Muslim hosts. Leave the wine at home for a practising Muslim, and pick halal-certified treats instead, as the same guide suggests.
- No cowhide for Hindu hosts. The cow is sacred in Hinduism, the guide notes, so skip goods made from cowhide.
- No dried flowers, for some. In feng shui, dried flowers represent death, The Honeycombers notes. For a family that follows feng shui closely, a candle may sit better than anything made with dried botanicals.
Home fragrance that suits a small flat
Scent carries in a compact home, so a light blend usually suits better than a strong one. A reed diffuser needs no flame or socket, which means it can sit on a shoe cabinet even while the flat is still full of boxes.
A candle needs a little more thought. Give it with something heat-safe to stand on, such as a glass or ceramic plate that sits under it and catches drips.
Candle safety in a new home. Never leave a burning candle unattended. Keep it on a heat-safe surface, away from curtains, children and pets. If the windows are open and the fan is on, move the candle out of the breeze.
If you would rather make the gift, visit their new place first so you know the room it is for. In our Botanical Reed Diffuser workshop you mix a fragrance and arrange dried botanicals and crystals in a glass bottle with reed sticks. The reed diffuser workshop guide explains how a session runs.
Where are they in the move?
Tap their stage and we will suggest a starting point.
Pick an option above.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good housewarming gift in Singapore?
One that fits the stage of the move. Before they move in, practical help beats decor. Once they have unpacked, home fragrance or something for the table gets used and noticed.
What should you not give as a housewarming gift?
It depends on the family. Those who follow Chinese gift customs may avoid clocks and knives. Skip alcohol for practising Muslims and cowhide for Hindu hosts, and ask if you are unsure.
Is a reed diffuser or a candle better for a new home?
A reed diffuser needs no flame, so it suits a flat full of boxes or a home with young children and pets. A candle works too, as long as it stands on a heat-safe plate and is never left burning unattended.