Having trouble crossing off your Christmas list? Well, if it includes a recent home buyer, reaching your end goal just got easier. Not only do new homeowners tend to be woefully short on moneyand just plain exhausted from the effort of moving house, unpacking, and organizingthey're faced with a growing list of things needed to outfit a new home. Check out these gift ideas that'll be sure to fill new homeowners with holiday cheer
For the home owners
Dinner and a movie, good gift for new homeowners short of money
A night out
Sure, owning a new home is rewarding. But it's also a lot of work. Treat your tired, cash-strapped homeowner to a blissful evening of escape with a nice dinner and a movie, play, concert or club.
Saving for kids education, RESP saving, gift of RESP contribution
Contribution to the kids' RESP
Truly the gift that keeps on giving, your contribution will keep growing into the future. And thanks to the Canada Education Savings Grant, a gift of $500 becomes $1,000 since the government will match 20% of the first $2,500 per year put into an RESP.
Mortgage payment as Christmas gift for new home owners
One mortgage payment
A one-two Santa punch, this gift helps offset the costs of new home ownership and Christmas shopping. Need we say more?
Room service platter representing home-delivered gourmet meals
Hassle-free nights in
Give the gift of time with an evening (or week) of delicious catered dinners. Companies like Mamaluv.com will prepare and deliver healthy meals right to their front door. Also check out the Stork Delivery Service at CookingJourneys.ca. Designed for new parents, the service provides home-cooked meals prepared by a Cordon Bleu-trained chef.
Money bag; give cash to new home owners on Christmas list
Cash in hand
Make like Robin Hood and his merry band of thieves and give a sack of cash. Far from hard or cold, cash lets your homeowners spend it on exactly what they need most (or sock it away for a rainy day). Dress it up with these neat canvas money bags from BankSupplies.com.
For the home
Then there are all the things you discover you need once you have a house or yard
Gardening tools a good gift for new homeowners
Outdoor living
The weather outside may be frightful, but you can help homeowners delight in their newfound outdoor space come spring with a barbecue or lawnmower. Gardening hand tools and gloves and a good garden hose that doesn't kink are also indispensable landscape transformation tools.
Do it yourself tools for new home owners
Home improvement helpers
There are a million little things that need to be done to turn a house into a home and a bunch of tools needed to do them. Start your new buyers off with a stud finder and laser level for hanging pictures, or a multi-bit power drill and screwdriver so they're prepared for any job. Or go all out and give the coolest-looking cleaning tool on the planet, a Dyson vacuum cleaner.( Warning: Do not give these to your homeowner if she's your romantic partner. You will regret it forever.)
Holiday gift cards to home decor store a good gift for new homeowners
Gift certificates to a home store
A new colour scheme calls for matching décor items, cushions, towels, bedding, and so on. Gift certificates for home/improvement stores help owners beautify or organize a new space. For people trying to make the most of a small space (that covers most Vancouverites), consider companies like California closets that can do clever built-ins. And although it's not a home store, a gift card for the Liquor Distribution Branch can help make merry work out of decorating projects.
Green gifts, environmentally friendly gifts for Xmas
Green kitchen supplies
A composter for outside or in is as useful as it is environmentally friendly. (Buying for Vancouver residents? If you get it from the City of Vancouver, they'll subsidize half the cost.) Plus, they'll save on fertilizer for their new garden. Recycling bins, recycled fridge magnets, windowsill herb-growing kits, and earth-friendly cleaning products also make purposeful gifts that leave a gentle footprint.
Safety devices for the home, fire extinguisher, smoke alarm, CO alarm
Swiss army items
Give peace of mind with these home safety essentials: smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers with holders that allow for neat storage. Also, these may not be sexy, but WD40and CLR cleaning solution are home powerhouses that can be used almost anywhere.
Vancouver Special gingerbread house kit
The most uncommon (common) gingerbread house
Does your new homeowner live in a ubiquitous Vancouver Special? Consider giving this limited-edition Beta 5 gingerbread-making kit made in its honour.
Are you a new homeowner with a growing wish list of your own? Add your dream gift ideas in the comments below.
Truly the gift that keeps on giving, your contribution will keep growing into the future. And thanks to the Canada Education Savings Grant, a gift of $500 becomes $1,000 since the government will match 20% of the first $2,500 per year put into an RESP.
A one-two Santa punch, this gift helps offset the costs of new home ownership and Christmas shopping. Need we say more?
Give the gift of time with an evening (or week) of delicious catered dinners. Companies like Mamaluv.com will prepare and deliver healthy meals right to their front door. Also check out the Stork Delivery Service at CookingJourneys.ca. Designed for new parents, the service provides home-cooked meals prepared by a Cordon Bleu-trained chef.
The weather outside may be frightful, but you can help homeowners delight in their newfound outdoor space come spring with a barbecue or lawnmower. Gardening hand tools and gloves and a good garden hose that doesn't kink are also indispensable landscape transformation tools.
There are a million little things that need to be done to turn a house into a home and a bunch of tools needed to do them. Start your new buyers off with a stud finder and laser level for hanging pictures, or a multi-bit power drill and screwdriver so they're prepared for any job. Or go all out and give the coolest-looking cleaning tool on the planet, a Dyson vacuum cleaner.( Warning: Do not give these to your homeowner if she's your romantic partner. You will regret it forever.)
A new colour scheme calls for matching décor items, cushions, towels, bedding, and so on. Gift certificates for home/improvement stores help owners beautify or organize a new space. For people trying to make the most of a small space (that covers most Vancouverites), consider companies like California closets that can do clever built-ins. And although it's not a home store, a gift card for the Liquor Distribution Branch can help make merry work out of decorating projects.
A composter for outside or in is as useful as it is environmentally friendly. (Buying for Vancouver residents? If you get it from the City of Vancouver, they'll subsidize half the cost.) Plus, they'll save on fertilizer for their new garden. Recycling bins, recycled fridge magnets, windowsill herb-growing kits, and earth-friendly cleaning products also make purposeful gifts that leave a gentle footprint.
Does your new homeowner live in a ubiquitous Vancouver Special? Consider giving this limited-edition Beta 5 gingerbread-making kit made in its honour.
