Gifts for a Housewarming Party
Sue is a mother and grandmother living in sunny Malaysia. Like many Malaysians, she is passionate about food.
Housewarming Gifts to Celebrate A New Home
What housewarming party gifts do you bring when invited to help celebrate this happy occasion? The celebration of a new home is very exciting as it is another milestone for that person or family.
I remember my first housewarming party and showing off our new home to family and friends. Everyone wanted a guided tour around the house. The housewarming wishes from our friends and family were much appreciated and proudly displayed in our new home.
Here are some suggestions of housewarming gifts you can bring along.
Housewarming Traditions
Celebration of a new home
Whether it is a brand new home or a renovated home, housewarming is where the owners want to share in that joy with their friends and family. Each culture have their own traditions to celebrate this joyous occasion. The tradition of different housewarming gifts may have changed over the years but the reason for it remains the same. Friends and family are happy for the the owners of the home where this is held.
Blessing for the New Home
The tradition of bringing new neighbors together has its origin in Russia. A villager named Boris and his wife had given a loaf of bread for good health and a pinch of salt for long life to the Russian dignitaries who had visited their village. The gift was well received and the village folk were in cheers as a new tradition was started.
In Indian tradition, the housewarming ceremony is celebrated on the full moon day. Prayers are offered to Lord Ganesha to remove all the negativity from the house.
Bluebirds To Bless The New Home
Traditional housewarming gift
In the past, bluebirds were given as a traditional housewarming gift to bless a new home with happiness and good luck. Many cultures hold similar beliefs regarding the bluebird. It is widely accepted as a symbol of cheerfulness, happiness, prosperity, hearth and home, new birth, good health and many other positive sentiments.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
As long as there are bluebirds, there will be miracles and a way to find happiness
Bluebird Of Happiness Blessing - A symbol of happiness, prosperity and good health
In Europe, bluebird mythology is found in the fairy tale, The Blue Bird by Madame d' Aulnoy (1650-1705). The story tells of how King Charming is transformed into a bluebird who is the love interest of a young princess and helps her trials. In Russia, the bluebird is a symbol of hope.
The bluebird is a sacred bird to many Native American tribes. According to the Cochiti tribe, the first born son of sun was named Bluebird. The Bluebird Song is sung among the Navajo to remind the people to wake at dawn and greet the sun.
Traditional Housewarming Gifts
Over the centuries some of the traditional housewarming gifts may seem peculiar to us today but they held great significance to the people back then. The gifts range from salt, sugar to brooms, each with its own special meaning and symbol.
Gift and its Significance
Bread - You will never go hungry
Broom - Sweep away the evil; Your house will always be clean
Candle - You will always have light
Coin - Bring good fortune for the year
Honey - Represents the sweetness of life
Knife - Protect against intruders
Olive Oil - Health, light and keep your husband faithful
Penny - Keep the friend from ever being at the end of the knife
Plant - You will aways have life
Rice - Sign of fertility
Salt - Represents life's tears. Salt placed at the threshold of the doors and windows will bring good luck
Toilet Paper - Represents the hope that all problems with the new home will be easily resolved
Wine - Never go thirsty
Wood - Your life and home will always have stability, harmony and peace
Other traditional housewarming gifts can range from lucky bamboo stalks, crystals, bonsai trees and charms. Chinese housewarming gifts include "golden rice bowls" and rectangular Rosewood tray.
Bonsai tree brings good luck and happiness
Asian Elephant Desk Lamps - Good luck lamp to bless the new home
Elephants have a positive symbolic meaning all over the world and are considered a symbol of good luck with its trunk in an upright position. They are also symbols of intelligence, power, loyalty and wisdom. Figures of elephants placed outside the house should always face the doorway to ensure good luck to the household.
The origin of the elephant lucky charm can be found in the Hindu religion. Ganesha is the elephant headed Hindu god of wisdom,literature and worldly success. He decides between failure or success. Its sheer size means he can go through the thickest forest, uprooting and tearing down the thickest trees that hinder his way.
Courtesy of Good Luck Creations
Lucky Bamboo Plant - Spiral Tower
Create an atmosphere of positive energy and beauty
Lucky Bamboo Plant - Spiral Tower
- Lucky bamboo plants have the ability to grow quickly as well as show innate resilience and strength thus represent luck an success.
- Require low maintenance
- Comes with a free bottle of Green Green Fertilizer to keep your Lucky Bamboo happy and healthy
- Comes in the black ceramic footed vase with black river rock.
Lucky bamboo plants
© 2010 Sue Mah
