The 21 Most Thoughtful Housewarming Gifts For Men (That Aren’t Tech)
They may not all admit it, but men love housewarming gifts. And let’s face it: most men NEED housewarming gifts. In our gender stereotyped world, it can be easy to overlook housewarming gifts for men and skip straight to a bottle of wine, but we promise you’ll surprise and delight any man if you get him one. This is especially true for a single guy (bachelors love their pads), but it’s equally important to get some guy-centric gifts even if he’s in a relationship.
We came up with 5 categories of gifts that we think any guy will appreciate in their home: Drink Well, Kitchen Essentials, Outdoor, Aromatherapy, and Non-kitsch Knickknacks. Below are our choices for top housewarming gifts for men 👇🏡.
Drink Well
Cocktail Shaker Set
An essential gift for any home. It’s important for entertaining, but also for stay-at-home nights when you just want to kick back and enjoy a drink with a game or movie. Craft beer had its day; being able to shake up a cocktail is a special treat and art form all to its own.
Cocktail Modifiers
The shaker set is a great start, but if the guy you’re gifting to already has one, the next best thing (aside from liquor) are going to be modifiers. These include syrups, bitters, and liqueurs. We have a handful of Liber & Co. syrups in our shop including Passionfruit (used in a Hurricane Cocktail) Ginger (used in a Moscow Mule) and Demerara (used in an Old Fashioned). If you want to go the bitters route, check out The Bitter Truth or Bittermens. Tiki Bitters would be a great addition to any home bar.
Coasters
It’s not until you have guests over that you realize the importance of having coasters. You don’t want to hand your guest a cocktail in a rocks glass with ice and have nowhere to put that glass once condensation starts to drip. As a housewarming gift, coasters are especially good as they can elevate a space from a college dorm room vibe to a more mature “I own this place and care about it” vibe.
Bar cart
Some people might prefer to hide their liquor and cocktail tools in cabinets, but a bar cart can double as a bar and an elegant furniture addition to your space. There are so many to choose from it could make your head spin. We would suggest starting at Wayfair and trying to match the personality of the guy you’re buying for.
Coffee Set & Coffee
If your recipient enjoys a good cup of coffee, upgrading their coffee kit is a wonderful gift. For pour-over coffee, we recommend the brand Hario for your coffee filters, glass pot, and gooseneck kettle. A simple coffee grinder like this one by Capresso also works wonders. Another great product for coffee lovers is an OXO airtight container with a pop-lid. This type of container will keep your beans fresher for longer.
If your guy already has everything coffee-related he could ever need, consider adding a chocolate bar or new brew to his housewarming gift!
Kitchen Essentials
High-quality knife
Skip the set of knives, and go for a single high-quality knife. A set of knives is overkill for most people as a single 8” knife can handle most everything in the kitchen so long as it’s well made! For a Japanese, layered Damascus style knife we recommend Miyabi. For a German knife, you can’t go wrong with a Wüsthof. A good knife is an absolute must in the kitchen, and any guy would be thrilled to receive one as a housewarming gift. A lot of guys are already into knives, so this is a safe bet that will definitely score you bonus points with your guy friends.
Hot sauce
Is how much capsaicin you can handle a sign of how manly you are? No, but that doesn’t stop some guys from being spice obsessed. Hot sauce is a great gift, as there is a TON of variety, and guys love to spice up their meals, even if it’s sometimes just for show. Not to mention, a lot of guys—especially younger ones—aren’t the best cooks, and hot sauce is a quick and easy way to upgrade any bland meal.
We sell Momofuku hot honey chili crunch in our gift shop, because we love the style and the fact that it was created by a chef. It’s both manly and delicious 😋. If you know your guy is a pizza lover, you can’t go wrong with Momofuku hot honey! 🍕
Local Farmer’s market
If you’re lucky enough to have a local farmers market in your city, this is a great place to find housewarming gifts for guys. You’ll have a bunch of options from foods to leather goods, and you can be sure you’re also supporting local businesses. Sounds like the win-win-win model that we at Willinglee love so much.
Cookbooks
There are probably thousands of cookbooks in existence, but there’s one we think is particularly good for guys. Jamie Oliver’s 5 Ingredients is the perfect cookbook for both beginners and those that are more experienced in the kitchen. The book is beautifully designed, and, as the name implies, every recipe calls for no more than 5 ingredients. It’s the perfect book for anyone who doesn’t have a lot of time each day to spend in the kitchen, but still wants to eat quality, healthy meals.
Outdoor
Solo stove
One of the hottest items of this year is the Solo Stove. A patented, smokeless fire pit that is perfect for any backyard get-together. It heats up quickly and has a unique ventilation system that pulls in oxygen, allowing the wood to burn hot and clean, hugely reducing the amount of smoke generated.
Seeds & Plants
Want your guy friend to impress guests in their new home? Get them some seeds to grow a flower garden. These can be planted directly into the ground or in a planter, and will certainly wow his guests once they start blooming. Alternatively, get him a potted plant (that’s not too hard to take care of) such as a rubber plant or snake plant. Every home could use at least a few plants to help with decor and fresh air!
Aromatherapy
Candles
Let’s face the fact that bachelors struggle with having a good smelling home. (Note from Alex: “we can’t help it!”) But a few good smelling candles can go a long way to balancing things out. We sell a handful of candles in our shop that we’re particularly impressed by. We pick our candles by researching the vendor and making sure we trust them and believe in what they stand for. They also need to be high-quality products with great scents.
by Lost Sage Goods. Meet the Maker!
A blend of ponderosa & cedar. Inspired by the warmth of summer in the Sawtooth Mountains. When the ground radiates heat from the long day and the air moves slowly with the subtle notes of ponderosa pine - woodsy with a hint of brown sugar.
7-ounce candle
Designed to burn cleanly for over 45 hours
To be enjoyed wherever your travels may carry you
Infused with premium fragrance and essential oils
Lead-free, cotton-core wick
Made of pure soy wax from crops grown free of pesticides in the United States
Each batch is hand-poured and consciously crafted for an Earth-friendly and enjoyable aromatic experience
Our practices ensure that all goods are made without animal cruelty, pesticides, toxins, phthalates & cheap fillers
by Hearth & Hammer. Meet the Maker!
The perfect size to light on a desk or in a small bathroom. Carry it with you on your next adventure and let the scent notes amplify your memories. “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."
Part of Hearth & Hammer’s Literary Collection
Notes Profile: Cedar, Fir, Pine
Hand poured
Size: 2 oz
Burn Time: 10-12 hours
Vegan, phthalate-free, preservative-free, lead-free, cruelty-free
by Lost Sage Goods. Meet the Maker!
Wildflower & amber noir. Inspired by all things Zen, be it meditations, mantras, prayers, intentions or simply claiming every moment of Savasana after hot yoga class. This soothing blend of florals and silky amber was made to bring out that inner yogi who dreams of calmness, contentment and compassion for all.
7-ounce candle
Designed to burn cleanly for over 45 hours
To be enjoyed wherever your travels may carry you
Infused with premium fragrance and essential oils
Lead-free, cotton-core wick
Made of pure soy wax from crops grown free of pesticides in the United States
Each batch is hand-poured and consciously crafted for an Earth-friendly and enjoyable aromatic experience
Lost Sage’s practices ensure that all goods are made without animal cruelty, pesticides, toxins, phthalates & cheap fillers
Reed Diffuser
Candles a no-go? Reed diffusers are a wonderful gift for guys, as you can set it and forget it. You won’t get the glow ambience that comes from a candle, but you’ll get all the aromatherapy benefits. We LOVE the reed diffusers from Cornelia Home. The scents are perfect—not overpowering or chemical smelling, and will make any room feel 10x better.
Air Purifier
Another item that has become hot as of late. If a guy can’t keep a plant alive to save himself, an air purifier might be the next best housewarming gift. Similar to the reed diffuser, it’s a set it and forget option. We’ve heard wonderful things about the LEVOIT Air Purifier. Perfect for a single room and won’t break the bank.
Non-kitsch Knickknacks
To round out this list, let’s look at a handful of other ideas from our shop that we think would make great housewarming gifts for your guy friends.
Key chain
Unless your guy friend is living in some state-of-the-art smart home, chances are they use a house key. A fun keychain for their new key is a wonderful way to commemorate their move.
by Freshwater Design Co.Meet the Maker!
A reminder to see the good. Each design is burned onto genuine leather, sure to last a lifetime!
Genuine Leather
Gold hardware
0.375” Wide Loop
Handcrafted in Georgia, USA
by Towne 9. Meet the Maker!
These army-green key tags are printed with metallic gold text, and the message "Adventure Awaits".
Measures 3.5" High
Designed in Seattle and made in the USA
Blank on the other side
Deck of cards
Every guy needs one of these in the home. Skip the traditional, boring cards, and get them a deck that was designed by an artist.
by Lingo Cards. Meet the Maker!
Pick up Mandarin while playing cards!
Great for both kids and adults
Phonetic spelling included for easier pronunciation
54 translations essential for travelers who want to immerse themselves in the culture they’re exploring
Coffee table books
No one wants a living room devoid of anything but a TV to stare at. A coffee table book is a great thing to have on hand when guests come over. It’s a wonderful conversation piece and gives guests something to peruse when you step away to make that cocktail or get them a snack (like you do as a good host!).
by Shira Gill. Meet the Author!
People are naturally curious about the homes of professional organizers. Organized Living was inspired by Shira's desire to provide a glimpse into a rarely-seen world: The homes of people who organize others. Shira showcases the homes of twenty-five international home organizers, offering an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into this meticulously kept world. Organized Living introduces you to the aspirational spaces of the most organized people in the world, the organizers themselves, and the passion that fuels their work. Through stunning images and absorbing interviews, you’ll gain expert tips and resources, loads of visual inspiration, and clever organizing hacks you can use in your own home, such as: Ditching the packaging, Choosing stylish storage, Elevating the most neglected spaces, Putting things away, right away.
Through books, TV shows, and social media platforms, home organizers have been elevated as top lifestyle influencers and have cemented their place in the cultural zeitgeist. And Shira Gill, the organizer of organizers, is the perfect tour guide to walk us through these professional organizers’ homes.
If you’re seeking less clutter, overwhelm, and stress in your life, and are looking to create more time and energy for the things that matter most, Organized Living is your chance to learn directly from the best in the business.
288 pages
Hardcover
Ingram. Meet Valerie Luu & Andria Lo!
Chinatown Pretty features beautiful portraits and heartwarming stories of trend-setting seniors across six Chinatowns. The book shares nuggets of philosophical wisdom and personal stories about immigration and Chinese-American culture.
Andria Lo and Valerie Luu have been interviewing and photographing Chinatown's most fashionable elders on their blog and Instagram, Chinatown Pretty, since 2014. Chinatown Pretty is a signature style worn by pòh pohs (grandmas) and gùng gungs (grandpas) everywhere--but it's also a life philosophy, mixing resourcefulness, creativity, and a knack for finding joy even in difficult circumstances.
Photos span Chinatowns in San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, and Vancouver.
The style is a mix of modern and vintage, high and low, handmade and store bought clothing.
This is a celebration of Chinese American culture, active old-age, and creative style.
224 pages
Hardcover
Fake plants, Air plants
Purely for show, these bad boys will literally never die. Unless their dog eats one. They don’t offer much other than looks, but mixing them in with real plants in a PRO MOVE. Target has a wonderful selection of fake plants.
If you think he can handle dunking a plant in water once every ten days, our air plants make for a fun addition to any gift.
We’d love to hear what you think of this list! What can we add to make it better?! If there’s anything we’re missing that you think would make a great housewarming gift for guys, let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading, and happy gifting!
