One-day traditional housewarming gift challenge

Based on my most recent post about traditional housewarming gifts, I challenged my mom and husband to a housewarming gift competition. We were each given a $40 budget and just one day. At the end, we would see which gift was the best. 

That’s where you come in. After reviewing each of the three baskets (and considering the criteria of using my post on traditional housewarming gifts as inspiration), please vote for your favorite basket in the comments below or on social media (on Instagram or Facebook).

We were driving down to Columbus on Friday to visit family when I had the idea. I originally suggested just asking my mom to participate, but was surprised when Brian said that he wanted to compete. We are both very competitive and have occasional mini competitions. We have a lot of fun with it. Plus, Brian was (and still is) certain he will win.

Since I was planning to see my sister’s new house on Sunday, the idea was that we would spend a few hours on Saturday shopping for the gifts. The primary rule was that it had to be based on my recent post about traditional housewarming gifts. Because we were limited for time, we worked together to help each other complete the gifts. It also helped us to determine which gift would fit which recipient best. I mentioned in my previous post that both sisters purchased homes in the past few months, but my best friend also moved into a new home a while back. I am planning to visit soon and plan to bring her a housewarming gift as well.

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So, here is what we came up with (with the traditional gift inspiration in parentheses). I included links to each item (or to a similar item):

Mom’s hostess-themed housewarming gift

Mom’s idea was to get gifts for hosting. Her gift also had to be able to be mailed to Pennsylvania (so no alcohol). I think her gift turned out very classy and I’m sure my sister will love it!

Mom’s hostess-themed gift included salt & pepper shakers (Salt), a 4-piece spreader set (Bread), pineapple wine stopper (Wine), wine preserver (Wine), and an oil & vinegar dispenser (Olive Oil). The total cost (not including packaging): $40.06

Mom purchased her items at Marshalls, Home Goods, and Bed, Bath, & Beyond. Although I couldn’t find an exact match to the spreader set that she purchased online, I found a similar set on Amazon.

Brian’s beer-themed housewarming gift

Brian’s inspiration was beer. He picked out various beers (and ciders) that were related to the traditional housewarming gifts mentioned in my previous post. His gift also had to have an item for an 11-year-old girl. Because my sister and her partner love craft beer, this ended up being a perfect housewarming gift for them!

Brian’s basket included sake (Rice), banana bread beer (Bread), rose hard cider (Wine), honey orange beer (Honey), wood-aged brown ale (Wood), pineapple cider (Pineapple) and a wooden beer caddy (Wood). He also added a pineapple birdhouse (Pineapple & Wood) and paint for the 11-year-old. The total cost was $41.70.

Brian purchased his items at World Market, Michaels, and a local beer shop. Unfortunately, Michael’s no longer carries the pineapple birdhouse, but any cute craft item related to one of the traditional housewarming gifts could work. For instance, a pineapple string art kit (pineapple) or a wood birdhouse craft kit (wood).

My cooking-themed housewarming gift

I decided to go with a cooking theme. Most of my items are made up of traditional housewarming gifts with a few small twists. I didn’t have any other restrictions or guidelines on my gift. But because my best friend is an amazing cook (she even has a cooking blog called Crumbs for Gypsie), this was the perfect gift for her!

My basket included honey (Honey), honey pot (Honey) crackers (Bread), Himalayan salt (Salt), salt box (Salt), champagne jam (Wine), olive oil (Olive Oil), and mixing bowl. The total cost was $42.81.

All of my items were purchased at Marshalls and Home Goods. I couldn’t find the exact honey pot online, but was able to find this similar one.

We had a lot of fun with this ‘challenge.’ It was a bit stressful to do this is such a short time frame, but I imagine you will be seeing more ‘challenges’ in the future. I will just have to plan ahead a bit more. If you enjoyed reading about this family challenge, check out my post on our Easter bunny cake Nailed It! inspired challenge.

So, what do you think? Which house-warming gift do you think is best? Which one would you like to receive? Let us know in the comments or on social media!

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