Holiday gifts offer a great opportunity to help first-time apartment renters turn their house into a home. With the holiday season right around the corner, there's no better time to begin looking for gift ideas.
To make your search easier, we’ve put together a list of the best holiday gifts for first-time apartment renters. Happy shopping!
Kitchen Essentials
Your first-time apartment renter will probably find stocking a kitchen from scratch to be quite overwhelming. To help them alleviate that process, consider these kitchen essentials:
Cookware Sets: Rather than purchasing kitchen items individually, buy a kitchen set that will provide all necessary essentials in one box. This 21-piece set includes pots, pans, ladles/spoons/spatulas, baking tins, trays, and much more. If they only need pots and pans, look for non-stick, durable options such as this 11-piece stainless steel cookware set.
Cutlery: A quality set of knives is essential for meal prep. Consider gifting a knife set with various sizes and blade types.
Kitchen Appliances: First-time apartment renters are usually in need of kitchen appliances such as coffee makers, toasters, air fryers, and blenders. If they’re smoothie or protein shake drinkers, consider blenders such as the NutriBullet. If they like to make juices, the Hamilton Beach juicer is a great option. The Ninja coffee maker makes a great cup of coffee and this combo option doubles as both an air fryer and a toaster oven.
Dinnerware and Glassware Sets: When buying dinnerware, be sure the set is both microwave and dishwasher safe. We love this 12-piece chip and crack-resistant set. If they’re wine or cocktail drinkers, we like these stemless wine glasses and this 8-piece cocktail glass set.
Utensils and Kitchen Gadgets: If they like to cook, they’re going to need a lot of kitchen gadgets. This 33-piece set comes with just about every cooking utensil they could need, from spatulas, tongs, measuring cups, brushes, can openers, bottle openers, graters, scissors, and much more.
Home Decor
Moving into a new apartment means they’ll have a blank canvas to decorate and personalize their space. These home decor items can add a cozy and inviting touch.
Plants, Succulents, or Pampas Grass: Nothing turns a house into a home more than a beautiful plant! Houseplants not only add a touch of green but also purify the air. If the giftee doesn’t have a green thumb, consider a low-maintenance plant such as the ZZ plant which thrives in low light and can go 2-3 weeks without water. An assortment of succulents is another low-maintenance option. If you think a plant may cause some stress, pampas grass in a pretty vase is another great option.
Throw Blankets: Nothing is more welcome during the colder winter months than a cozy throw blanket. Great options include this faux fur blanket or this Sherpa fleece.
Mirrors: Mirrors do wonders when opening up a space. Many new apartment renters need a full-length mirror for their dressing area. We do not recommend buying a full-length mirror that attaches to the wall as it may cause damage. Instead, consider a free-standing option such as this one.
Organization and Storage
Keeping an apartment tidy and organized is essential for maintaining a peaceful living environment. We especially like these organization and storage options:
Storage Bins, Baskets, and Rolling Carts: For extra storage space, consider bins and baskets that will fit neatly under their bed and couches. This cute rolling cart is ideal for holding hair dryers, makeup, and other toiletries in the bathroom. These closet organizers and drawer dividers help free up space and keep cleaning supplies and other household items neat and orderly.
Cleaning Supplies
These gifts help create a clean and tidy living space:
Vacuum Cleaner: A reliable vacuum cleaner can help keep floors spotless, but typically run on the pricier side. This lightweight, bagless vacuum option works great on both carpet and hard floors without breaking the bank.
Spray Mop: The Swiffer power mop is much easier than using a bucket and mop and leaves a great fresh scent.
Cleaning Solutions and Tools: Since they’ll probably need a variety of cleaning supplies after the movers leave, consider a cleaning kit. Cleaning kits come with all the essentials, such as this multi-surface cleaning set or Mrs. Meyer’s kitchen cleaning set.
Laundry Hamper and Detergent: In addition to a cleaning kit, you can also create a laundry kit. Fill a stylish hamper with laundry detergent, dryer sheets, and other laundry essentials.
Gadgets and Tech
If your giftee is a first-time apartment renter, they’re probably Gen-Z or a Millennial and will greatly appreciate any new gadget or tech device for their home.
Smart Speakers: Smart speakers like the Amazon Echo or Google Home can play music, answer questions, and control smart home devices.
Streaming Devices: If the renter doesn’t own a smart TV, devices such as Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, or Apple TV provide easy access to streaming services.
Wireless Chargers: Keep devices powered up without the hassle of cords and cables. To ensure their devices are compatible with the wireless charger, check with a mutual friend or family member to see which phone or Apple Watch version they have.
Wi-Fi Extenders: If they have a larger apartment (especially one with multiple bedrooms), a Wi-Fi extender helps ensure strong and reliable coverage throughout the apartment.
Personalized Gifts
While the gift ideas mentioned above are functional and necessary, the personalized options we’ve outlined below are meaningful and show you’ve put extra thought and care into your choice.
Customized Wall Art: Personalized wall art featuring the recipient’s name, favorite quote, or a meaningful date can be a beautiful addition to an apartment.
Personalized Cutting Boards: Engraved cutting boards with a special message or design are meaningful and personal.
Monogrammed Towels: High-quality towels with a monogram are a beautiful addition to the bathroom. This is an especially great gift if the renter recently got married.
Custom-Made Photo Calendars: Create a custom calendar with photos that hold sentimental value.
Gift Cards
If you’re unsure about specific apartment needs, you can always opt for gift cards. Some popular choices include:
Home Improvement Stores: Let the recipients choose the tools or supplies they need to personalize their space from Home Depot, Lowe’s, etc.
Home Decor Stores: Allow them to select decor items that match their style from Home Goods, TJ Maxx, Target, Marshalls, West Elm, and other decor stores.
Electronic Stores: For tech enthusiasts, gift cards to electronic stores such as Best Buy can be a great choice.
Online Retailers: Gift cards to popular online retailers such as Wayfair, Target, and Amazon offer a wide range of options for furniture and decor.
Things to Consider
If you’re in the market for a new apartment, Draper and Kramer offer an extensive portfolio of luxury rental properties in Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Phoenix, and other areas. Explore our properties by visiting draperandkramer.com today.
Unveiling the top picks for holiday gifts, perfect for elevating the cozy ambiance of a first-time apartment. From practical essentials to charming decor, these thoughtful presents are sure to add warmth and style to their new space, creating cherished memories in every unwrapping moment of the celebration!
