Settling into a new home can feel a bit like January when the holidays are over and the adrenaline stops pumping leaving you unsure of how to get through the entire month without feeling depressed. It’s hard to get excited about unpacking, fitting in, and navigating around your new town when everything feels, and might truly be, completely foreign.
But here’s how to make moving into a new house fun.
Explore and add a touch of the local surroundings to remind yourself of the adventures ahead. Creative shopping for housewarming gifts for yourself might just be what you need to cheer up. In my case, I took finding British housewarming gifts as a total challenge.
Whether it’s for you, a friend, or a simple hostess gift, make someone’s day with one of these 11 British housewarming gifts to make a new house feel like home, as foreign and far away it may seem.
11 British Housewarming Gifts
All products have been purposely selected for an expat in the UK or someone who simply loves Britain.
These items are available at vintage shops and department stores, ranging from free to just under £80. Second hand and vintage are great options for finding truly British gifts, especially since moving can be an expensive affair.
1 – Union Jack Pillow
Nothing adds a statement to a room like this bold pillow locally made by Petra at Cleopatra in St Albans. Find similar designs on Amazon like this one here.
2 – Doorstopper
The thing is, doorstoppers actually serve a purpose in the UK. They are cute, solve a problem an American likely wouldn’t anticipate, and come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.
My favorite is this nautical one by Cleopatra and this Union Jack design on Amazon.
3 – Personalized House Picture
What better way to celebrate the journey than with a personalized house picture, like this one here by Hannah Designs.
4 – Antique Door Knocker
There is a high chance that the home already has one. But if not, the door knocker is a very British thing to have. If anything, it’s the perfect accessory for the next big door in your life. Antique shops are your best resource for finding a door knocker with personality. This one here is from Home & Colonial, Berkhamsted.
5 – A London Print
Add a pop of color to a drab wall with a fun London print. Raindrops on Roses in St Albans City sells cute options for less than £10 by Victoria Eggs. International delivery, too!
6 – Union Jack Shopping Bag
Bags aren’t banned from all US States yet, so offering a local shopping bag is a great way to onboard an American to the UK. This beauty cost £1 at the Hatfield Christmas market.
An alternative to finding a jute bag like this one but of similar size and fabric: Union Jack jute bag.
7 – Picnic Basket
Experiencing Britain calls for picnicking…a lot…and what makes it more fun is playing the part. Antique shops are a great resource for finding picnic baskets on the cheap, like this Harrod’s one for only £13 that I found at Swan Antiques.
8 – English Book
Not just any English book, but THE English book by Ben Fogle. A friend gave this to me as a hostess gift shortly after we moved into our British home and it was a fantastic way to quickly learn about the quirky nation.
9 – British Coffee Mug
My favorite one is the Emma Bridgewater Union Jack. But honestly, the London Starbucks coffee mug is pretty cool, too.
10 – Essential Oils Diffuser
The reality is, moving is stressful. Moving to another country? Beyond stressful.
And on top of the stress, getting used to a British home takes a while. It’s likely hundreds of years old which means it comes with all sorts of new discoveries and home management unlike living in the USA.
Help manage the stress and the move with an essential oil diffuser. Add lavender and it’s a great British housewarming gift.
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11 – UK outline with “home” Print
And, just ’cause, I thought it would be fun to have your own “home” printable art that you can frame and have as a reminder that home is where you are. Join the newsletter and receive this art and other freebies to help you create a life you love. ❤️
These British housewarming gifts are conversation starters that can move with you, no matter where home is next.
So ditch the flower box and bottle of wine (or splurge on that too because flower boxes are so fun!). Opt for something truly local to help either yourself or someone you know to add a bit of British to their new home.
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