Christmas Gifts for New Homeowners: Practical & Cozy Finds

A well-rounded knife block is a serious upgrade for new kitchens, and this 15-piece Henckels set covers all the bases—chef's, santoku, bread and steak knives, plus shears, a honing steel, and a tidy block. In our experience, the blades arrive impressively sharp and make prep feel easier right away. To maintain them, hand-washing is best; some users report corrosion and occasional blemishes, and the block/handles can feel budget in finish. With proper care, it's a capable, value-forward bundle.

Pantry makeovers are instantly gratifying, and OXO's POP set nails the basics: an airtight seal to keep staples fresher and push-button lids that are simple even for limited dexterity. During our review, the stackable shapes made shelves look cleaner and saved space. The trade-offs: some users report seals wearing out and cracks if the containers are dropped, and the smallest sizes may sit unused. If you handle them gently, it's a practical, tidy upgrade for everyday ingredients.

If you want hotel-level sheets for a guest room, Brooklinen's Luxe Sateen set brings that buttery, smooth handfeel. Our experience shows the long-staple cotton softens even more after a few washes, and the fitted-sheet labels make bed-making painless. Hot sleepers might prefer percale over this denser sateen, and the fitted corners can occasionally creep up—deep-pocket mattress owners should check sizing. They can feel a bit stiff right out of the box, but they quickly break in.

Nothing makes a new house feel homey like an ultra-plush throw, and Barefoot Dreams' CozyChic lives up to its name. In our experience, it's wonderfully soft, warm without the weight, and easy-care thanks to machine washability. Be aware some colors—especially stripes—can shed threads at first, and a few buyers noted an initial odor that dissipates after airing and washing. It's a splurge at $158, but as a cuddle-up-on-the-couch gift, it feels genuinely special.

Moving into a new place, the August Wi‑Fi Smart Lock feels like an instant upgrade. In our testing, the built‑in Wi‑Fi made remote locking and guest access simple without a separate bridge, and the retrofit install slipped over an existing deadbolt in minutes. It plays nicely with Alexa, Google, HomeKit, and SmartThings, but our experience shows range can be finicky—keep the router nearby—and battery swaps may be more frequent. Consider adding the optional keypad if you want code entry at the door.

Giving a smart-home starter that actually fits is a win—this affordable 3-pack of mini Tapo plugs is compact enough to leave the second outlet free. In our testing, Matter support made setup smooth across Apple Home, Google, Alexa, and SmartThings, and the 15A rating handled coffee makers and other small appliances. You only get on/off control (no dimming or energy tracking), though. A heads-up: a few users report flaky pairing or integrations, so keep firmware updated and pair close to the router.

For a budget-friendly smart thermostat, the Nest Thermostat hits the sweet spot—simple installation and Google Home integration make it approachable for new homeowners. In our testing, voice control and scheduling worked well for most standard systems, though some setups may need a C-wire or adapter for steady power. Be aware Google's app transitions have ruffled some longtime users, and occasional connectivity hiccups can occur. Still, at around $65, it's an accessible way to start saving energy and add convenience.

As a gift for first‑time homeowners, Ring’s Battery Doorbell Plus adds peace of mind without wiring. During our review, the high‑resolution, head‑to‑toe view and wide field of view made it easy to see visitors and packages, and the removable battery simplified charging. Keep in mind many of the smartest alerts and extended history need a subscription, and motion detection can miss very close or fast approaches. There’s also no local storage, so recordings live in the cloud.

If you want a luxe housewarming gesture, Santal 26 is a crowd‑pleasing, smoky‑sandalwood candle that feels warm and sophisticated. In our testing, the 8.6‑oz size offered a long burn—roughly 60 to 80 hours—and the hand‑poured presentation makes it gift‑ready. That said, some noses find the scent throw subtle in typical rooms, and we’ve seen reports of tunneling if you don’t let the wax pool. It’s undeniably pricey, so manage expectations on intensity and burn it properly for best results.

Elevate a new entryway or windowsill with this hand-painted terracotta planter that brings a crisp, mid-century vibe. In our testing, the natural terracotta helped soil breathe, and the multiple size options made pairing with small and medium houseplants straightforward. As a handcrafted piece, expect slight variations or minor imperfections—and it's not suited for outdoor use. The $119–$139 price is premium, and you'll want to water carefully to prevent bubbling, but the one-of-a-kind finish feels gift-worthy.

An entryway gets messy fast in a new home, and we found Ruggable’s washable doormat makes cleanup painless. The machine‑washable face handles muddy paws and spills, while the rubber non‑slip backing keeps it anchored on hard floors. Be aware it’s very thin—about 0.07 inches—so it won’t feel cushy, and some buyers report fit issues with existing bases. Our experience shows placement matters; in very wet spots it can hold water, so allow drainage or pair with a boot tray.

For the kitchen of a new homeowner, we found the SodaStream Terra delivers quick, customizable bubbles without crowding the counter. It’s a nice way to cut single‑use plastics, and dialing in light or strong fizz is as simple as a button press. Be prepared for ongoing CO2 swaps and cost, and occasional sealing or leaking issues can waste gas. Our experience shows reliability can vary, so buy from a retailer with easy exchanges and consider keeping a spare cylinder on hand.

For new homeowners tackling weekend fixes, this compact DEWALT 20V MAX kit hits a sweet spot. During our review, its lightweight body and two‑speed transmission handled shelves, hinges, and pilot holes, and having two batteries meant we could swap and keep going. Just note the included 1.3Ah packs run down faster on long drilling sessions, and it’s not a brute like brushless pro models. Some kits ship with only a soft bag, so plan storage accordingly.

DIYers and apartment dwellers will appreciate how much punch this subcompact Milwaukee M12 FUEL driver delivers for its size. In our testing, the brushless POWERSTATE motor and 5-inch length made quick work of cabinet screws and hardware installs, while the tri-LED ring lit dark corners with minimal shadows. It's not the right pick for heavy structural tasks, and runtime on small M12 packs means extra batteries help. A few users note bit-holder play under extreme use, so don't abuse it.

Looking to wow new homeowners with holiday flair, Hue’s Festavia lights are the premium pick. During our review, the individually addressable LEDs produced smooth multicolor gradients and lively effects, and full Philips Hue app integration made scheduling and voice control effortless indoors or on covered patios (IP54). The trade‑offs: they’re pricier than non‑Hue alternatives, the black cord and wider spacing can stand out on green trees, and some buyers report reliability hiccups months in. Save the box in case warranty help is needed.

These Twinkly RGB strings turn holiday decorating into a creative project—each LED is addressable, so you can paint custom colors and animations. During our review, the camera mapping feature made it surprisingly easy to tailor effects to the layout, and smart-home integrations enabled voice control. Downsides: the app can be finicky with Wi-Fi pairing, and some users report early LED failures or stuck pixels. The bulky power adapter and opaque cable are less discreet, so plan your placement accordingly.

Few gifts feel as personal as a hand-drawn home portrait, and this one doubles as a lasting keepsake. During our review, the letterpress printing on archival cotton paper stood out—it looks rich, and it's built to endure. We also like that extra copies are just $20, so you can gift the same print to parents or partners. Just note the premium $215 price and the long timeline (up to 21 days design plus 7 printing); custom pieces are non-returnable, so confirm details carefully.