The rule for housewarming gifts: buy the thing they'll use every week, not the thing that fills a gift bag. Under $100, that means one well-made piece instead of a bundle of filler. Here are six handmade options that pass the test, with prices, plus how to pick between them.
1. A serving board with presence - $99
Every household ends up with a board that lives on the counter - for cheese, bread, Saturday pancakes. Our 16-inch Handmade Wood Serving Board is carved by artisans in Guatemala's Peten region from sustainably harvested, certified wood, in Mahogany or Blonde Cedar. It is the single most-used gift on this list, and it comes out at every gathering they host from now on. (Our wooden board care guide makes a nice note to tuck in with it.)
2. A set of coasters that read as objects - $69
Coasters are the rare gift that lands in the sweet spot: always needed, rarely bought for oneself. The Piso Coasters are a bold terrazzo set of four, Fair Trade Certified and handcrafted in India. When they're not under a glass, they stack into a small design object on the coffee table. For more ways to style one, see our coffee table decor ideas.
3. Handmade mezcal cups - $36
Small, handmade, and instantly in rotation for an evening pour. Our mezcal cups come from our ceramicists in Guadalajara: local terracotta clay, glazed only on the inside, so the outside keeps the raw tones of the kiln. Add a good bottle and a copy of how to drink mezcal and the gift is complete. They work just as well for espresso.
4. A brass incense holder - $69
A thin brass bar and a white marble sphere: the Anka Incense Holder is one small object that makes a shelf or side table look finished. It's the kind of piece nobody buys themselves, which is exactly what makes it a good gift.
5. A small sculptural vase - $49 to $79
A small vase earns its place fast: one stem from the corner store and the room looks tended. The Harappan Belly Vase ($49, in black, terracotta or off-white) and the semi-circular Half Polo Vase ($79) both look good empty too, which matters in a home that is still being unpacked. More ideas in how to style a vase without flowers.
6. A candle snuffer - $69
A sturdy brass-finish stem and a solid white marble holder: the Anka Candle Snuffer turns a daily habit into a small ritual, and it outlasts every candle they'll ever own. Pair it with one good candle and the gift is done.
How to choose between them
Match the gift to the home's stage. Just moved in with empty shelves: the board or the vase. Already furnished: the coasters, cups or snuffer. For someone who cooks, the board; for someone who hosts, the cups and coasters; for someone who reads on the couch every night, the incense holder or snuffer.
And when they ask where it came from, every piece here has an answer: a named maker and a real workshop. You'll find that story on each product page in our handmade serveware, vases and candle and incense holder collections. Not sure what makes a piece worth giving? Our guide to handmade serveware covers what to check before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
How much should you spend on a housewarming gift?
Most people spend $30 to $100. Under $100, one well-made piece they will actually use - a serving board, a set of coasters, a small vase - lands better than a basket of smaller things.
What is a good housewarming gift for someone who has everything?
Something handmade and slightly unexpected: a sculptural vase, a brass incense holder or a pair of mezcal cups. They probably own a cutting board; they probably don't own one made by a small workshop in Guatemala.
Should a housewarming gift be practical?
Ideally both practical and good-looking. The gifts people remember are the ones they use every week and like seeing on the counter.
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