Homewarming Gift Ideas

Ecxentrique SG

Been invited to one next week.. thinking of wat to give..

my friend has been staying in this flat of his with his spouse for quite some time already.. but only recently settle down and ready to invite pple.. been told that they almost have everything.. but dun want to turn up empty handed..

appreciate any kind advice or suggestions for interesting gifts or something out of the ordinary.. just throw your ideas out here..

budget .. hopefully not more than 200 (4 others sharing)

thanks in advance.. Wink

just to add.. hopefully something appropriate.. someone suggested ang paos.. hmmm.. i have nv seen that being given before.. so won't think its appropriate.. but then i have not been to much of these house warming parties..

skeujin SG

if they have been stayg ther for some time then i belive they have most of wat is nessacary.

bring them some nice wine of alcohol for wich they can njoy n entertain with.

Rhonda SG

Hmm... hopefully, you know one of them well enough to know what they're really into, then you can perhaps purchase something that's of interest to one, or better still, both of them?

Usually, my friends and I just go up to the couple and ask what we could get for them. But of course, that only works for those who aren't ultra-conservative cause the very very 'Chinese' folks would get offended by that. (You'd be surprised, I had one ex-colleague who did take offence to that! Razz Rolling Eyes )

If all else fails, and you don't really wanna bao an ang bao, then get them a gift voucher from a department store like Tangs or Takashimaya where there's a household dept. Wink

Ecxentrique SG

yup.. dat thought did cross my mind also.. but wonder if it will look queer and not fit with their decor.. esp if its just the only glass bottle of wine there...

Ecxentrique SG

Where would you recommend for the vouchers? Are there any more unique ones? I was told that they have all the electronics.. so harvey norman and the likes would be out.. courts.. hmmm.. nt really that exceptional.. any more classy ones.. probably sometihing like ikea.. but ikea is big.. was told also that there are others like ikea.. but more niche type.. any ideas?

skeujin SG

piang ay u have $200. can get a few bottle lah... else go w shopping vouchers.

Rhonda SG

I'd just go for Takashimaya, cause they have a lot of depts there and I'm sure they can find SOMETHING there! Laughing

They have stuff for display (eg. Lalique figurines) to both budget and expensive top-of-the-range cutlery and crockery, cooking utensils, selected household appliances, upholstery, bedsheets, towels, etc etc etc! Surely, the couple can find SOMETHING! Wink

Rhonda SG

Not everyone would appreciate alcohol wor! Razz

skeujin SG

home owners may not drink bt its good to have around for entertaining guests...

the Bear SG

for the cult leader, just give her choya... Twisted Evil

for others, give them something nice like a nice terracotta aromatherapy oil burner with a couple of nice essential oils Wink

ditzy SG

I doubt anyone enjoys a nice mug of turpentine. Laughing

Robinson's gift vouchers. Valid for a year. Change given back in vouchers and cash under $5.

nightzip SG

yup, best vouchers or court vouchers, else a DVD player or microwave oven.

Cheap enough for 4 person to share. Very Happy

the Bear SG

oi! DVD player only $56.90 at Giant Laughing

BufPuf SG

ikea vouchers?

Kuali Baba SG

Are CD racks still relevant? Or a nice wicker clothes basket?

choco B SG

For every gift that you can come up with, there are pros & cons.. Some of us (uuh actually I think all of us LOL) are picky about things e.g. Cd rack must hold X number of discs , covered / doors, in preferred color (black, silver, maple) , material (steel, wood, etc) to go with theme of living room etcetc. Clothes basket, I don't like wicker / cane because fabric easily gets caught in it & your garmet is ruined. Laughing You get the idea.

Thus I prefer ang pows (crass? never, IMO! :p) or gift vouchers.

elindra SG

I love nothing better than gift vouchers for my home (in fact been telling my friends when I have my house warming, please give me vouchers)

This way, I can buy stuff we need and not end up with something I"ll never use. Btw, I like Takashimaya, Tangs and Robinson vouchers Laughing

Ecxentrique SG

seems like vouchers are quite favoured..

Rhonda SG

That's sooo true!!

It's only natural that we'd be picky about our furniture and household appliances. Afterall, we're the ones who'll have to live with them! Laughing

I'm also very picky when it comes to things like CD racks! Razz

I think gift vouchers are still the best option. Wink