Registering for Housewarming Gifts: Is It for You?

Registering for Housewarming Gifts: Is It for You?

One of the neat things about being New York’s top relocation company is getting to meet many different families, from many different cultures, with many different traditions. Moving into a new home has its fair share of traditions. Housewarming gifts are a good example – family and friends who want to help you get your new life off to a good start may express their support in the form of a present.

Should you register for housewarming gifts? Increasing numbers of people are. Ikea, Crate & Barrel, Amazon and Bed, Bath and Beyond are among the many retailers that offer housewarming registries. Housewarming registries aren’t as well-known as wedding registries and baby shower registries, but they are seen as helpful by people who want to give a gift yet aren’t sure what you need.

If you’re wondering if you should register for housewarming gifts or not, consider the following:

Are You Moving into Your Forever Home?

Housewarming parties, in general, are for moves expected to be of lasting duration. That means if you’re moving out of your parent’s place into the college dorms for a semester, you don’t get a housewarming party. Don’t register for gifts.

Do You Actually Need Any Stuff?

If you already have a well-stocked kitchen, great linens, furniture, decorative items and all of the other stuff that makes a house a home, there’s probably no sense in registering. However, if you’re just getting started or are in the process of rebuilding your life, a housewarming registry is a smart way to let people know what you need and avoid getting duplicates of items you already have.

What’s the Norm in Your Social Circles?

If your friends and relatives set up housewarming registries when they moved, the odds are it’s pretty good you won’t raise any eyebrows by doing the same. If no one you know has ever heard of a housewarming gift registry, you get to decide if you want to introduce everyone to the idea.

Are People Asking If You’ve Registered?

Inquiries about where you’ve registered or are going to register is a pretty good indication that you should register for housewarming gifts.

Do Your People Give Decent Gifts Without Guidance?

Some people are natural born gift givers, who know how to pick the perfect present each and every time. Other people will show up with baskets full of cat toys and fish-tank cleaning supplies – even though you don’t have any pets. If you’re trying to give some direction to the clueless, a gift registry *might* help—but there are no guarantees!

One Thing Etiquette Experts Agree On:

Whether or not you choose to register for gifts, you don’t want to share that information on the party invitations. That’s universally regarded as tacky. Instead, have the information available for anyone who asks – your friends will likely spread the information amongst themselves.