Moving into a new home is one of the most exciting things you can do!
Although packing, moving, and unboxing your belongings can feel like an exhausting chore, the effort is worth it for the hopeful promise of a new beginning.
When your family and friends move into a new house, it’s only natural to want to make sure they start off on the right food by dropping off a housewarming gift or two.
We’ve outlined some of the best housewarming gifts and the local businesses where you can find them around Pittsburgh—something that could come in handy if any of your family, friends, or neighbors move this summer.
7 Outstanding Housewarming Gift Ideas You Can Find In Pittsburgh
Some great housewarming gift ideas include:
1. Breads and Pastries
Fresh-baked bread is a traditional housewarming gift, and everyone loves a sweet baked treat!
For something local and delectable, head to Dylamato’s Market in Hazelwood. This neighborhood favorite is popular for partnering with locally-owned businesses to provide a variety of tasty and healthy treats. Be sure to check out their sweets and Mancini’s bread!
Of course, you could always visit Grandview Bakery in Mount Washington for a variety of gorgeous, hand-crafted treats—and then you can stop on Grandview Avenue to look out over the city!
2. Beer and Wine
When it comes to wine, you’ll find Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores scattered throughout Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods.
When it comes to beer and liquor, though, you have plenty of interesting options!
For your friends who enjoy a good rum, head to Maggie’s Farm in the Strip District for their award-winning beverages.
For your friends who enjoy beer, visit Hough’s Taproom in Greenfield. While they have an enormous, ever-rotating selection of bottles and cans, they also let you brew your own beer!
3. Coffees and Teas
There’s nothing like waking up for the first time in the excitement of your new home and enjoying a steaming mug of your favorite coffee or tea.
A great place to start your search for tea is Dobrá Tea in Squirrel Hill. At the corner of Murray Avenue and Beacon Street, you’ll find an enormous variety of delicious loose leaf teas!
For a variety of coffees and teas, visit Allegheny Coffee & Tea Exchange in the Strip District. The Allegheny Coffee & Tea Exchange offers a variety of gourmet coffees and teas from all over the world.
4. Cookware and Kitchen Machinery
A new kitchen deserves new cookware!
One option: Head to Glassworks in Shadyside on Walnut Street. Packed with ornate dishware, artsy cutlery, and hundreds of great gifts, you’ll find plenty of ideas here.
Another option: In The Kitchen in the Strip District. Billing itself as “Pittsburgh’s Home for Housewares,” In The Kitchen carries everything from professional-quality knives to ornate, hand-made jars.
5. A Beautiful Bouquet and Other Plants
A fragrant bouquet or nice, hardy house plant can provide a beautiful, earthy touch to a new home (we even used to give plants to clients to celebrate closing on a new house).
A few places you can visit:
Gidas Flowers in Oakland - Nestled within the busiest section of Forbes Avenue in Oakland is Gidas Flowers, a locally-owned flower shop that’s been in operation for nearly 100 years!
Squirrel Hill Flower Shop in Squirrel Hill - You’ll find the Squirrel Hill Flower Shop (and a wide variety of bouquets) near Forbes and Murray.
City Grows in Lawrenceville - Tucked away on Butler Street in Lawrenceville, you’ll find rows and rows of cute plants in City Grows!
6. Board Games and Puzzles
Board games and puzzles are a great way to spend time together in a new home, and Games Unlimited in Squirrel Hill has a ton of great options! I’ve had to pull Ted out of here a few times, so you know it’s a great place to poke around!
S.W. Randall Toyes and Giftes in Downtown Pittsburgh is packed with unique games and clever gift ideas, so you’re bound to find something for even the most unique homeowner!
If you’d like something off the beaten path, try Kobold’s Keep in Etna. Kobold’s Keep keeps a variety of comic books, video games, and more on hand, so you’ll find something for everyone!
7. Slippers and Towels
A new pair of fuzzy slippers, a fresh set of bath towels, or an adorable set of hand towels—these are all great picks for a new home owner!
If you’d like to avoid the big box stores, try Feathers in Shadyside for wall-to-wall options on towels, robes, and even rugs!
Have any other great housewarming gift ideas? We’d love to hear them! Contact us at theblocks@blocksintheburgh.com.
Cheers,
Julie & Ted