Holiday Gifting: Thirteen Christmas Gift Ideas for Friends Who Live in A Condo

“Presents are made for the pleasure of who gives them, not the merits of who receives them.” -Carlos Ruiz Zafón.

As the holidays are looming closer, some of us are making the necessary updates to our Christmas shopping and wish lists.

To seasoned gift-givers, shopping for holiday gifts is just another task they have to check off on their holiday to-do list. However, to novice shoppers, the overwhelming selection of choices and options can be a little intimidating. What do you exactly give a friend who has pretty much everything? What can they use to make their homes feel more comfortable and homey?

While many may say that giving gifts is more about the thought than the actual gift itself, we would also want to give something our family member or friends actually likes or can use. So, what holiday gift do you get for a friend who just moved into a swanky new condo in Pasig or elsewhere? Well, for starters, you may want to give them something practical and functional—one that they can use in their new homes. One of the best things about moving into a condo is finally having that opportunity to create a space that you can call yours. Of course, new homeowners would need to find the perfect decor and pick the perfect furniture to furnish their homes. Beyond that, however, they also have small necessities to consider, such as laundry hampers, bedding, pots, pans, and the like. Unfortunately, these small necessities are easily overlooked as new homeowners tend to focus and prioritize significant expenditures such as appliances and furniture. As a gift-giver, this is where you will come in.

We recommend getting them a combination of some of the basics they will surely need but have probably overlooked and little luxuries that will definitely make their lives easier and better. For ideas of what to get them, take a gander at the list of our suggestions below:

1.) A cookbook they can use for the first few weeks in their new home

During the first few weeks after their initial move, new homeowners are probably too burned out from the exhaustion of moving to think about cooking. More often than not, they will be ordering in and having food delivered to them, but every now and then, they also deserve a home-cooked meal that they can enjoy. As new homeowners might not have unpacked all their pots and pans, choose a cookbook that allows them to cook with bare necessities. One that will enable them to make fast, easy, and unpretentious meals in their own new kitchens.

2.) A starter knife set

Whether the receiver is a master chef, a novice cook, or just enjoys cooking during their free time, they will undoubtedly enjoy a 12-piece utensil set that has everything they will ever need in their kitchen, from mixing bowls to a grater to a spatula. It might just be what they need to create magic in the kitchen, and your recipient will certainly appreciate the new addition to their kitchen.

3.) Pretty wineglasses

One of the first things a new homeowner should do is to have a toast to new beginnings in their new condo. That said, look for an appropriate pair of pretty and colored wine glasses. Some wine glasses come in pastel colors such as blush pink, mint green, and coral peach. Choose one that you think your recipient will like.

4.) A low-maintenance houseplant

Another thing you can gift a new homeowner is a low-maintenance houseplant. This is because low-maintenance plants such as succulents do not need expert and careful care. More often than not, these plants will thrive when mostly left alone. If your recipient loves plants but cannot seem to keep them alive, giving them a low-maintenance houseplant that thrives in low light and stores water is a great option. Do not forget to remind them, though, that it would still need to be watered every two or three weeks.

5.) An oil diffuser

Essential oils have seen a rise in popularity in recent years. If your recipient is into essential oils and already has a smart speaker, get them a Smart Wi-Fi Essential Oil Diffuser which would be an excellent gift. Choose one that is compatible with most smart speakers, multiple mist settings, and lighting options.

6.) A bath mat to match their decors

Bath mats are things new homeowners need but do not necessarily want to think about, much less spend their own money on. As a gift-giver, this is where you will come in. Choose a bath mat with decor that would match the overall aesthetic of your recipient’s home. You can even take it a bit further by choosing a unique pattern that matches the new homeowner made by independent artists. Be sure to choose a bath mat that has the non-slip backing keeping it in place—even when it is soaked all the way through.

7.) A space-saving set of mixing bowls

Condos are typically tight on space which means that a new homeowner has to make do with whatever space they have available. That said, space-saving solutions are always welcome. Look for a set of mixing bowls that stack easily together for convenient and compact storage. Ideally, the collection should contain two large mixing bowls, a small container with a juice lid, and a small colander—all of these are essential bowls that they will need to start cooking in their new kitchen condo.

8.) A streaming stick that turns any plain TV into a smart TV

Today, most people have switched from cable to streaming applications. There is a likely chance that your recipient has to. Unfortunately, some homeowners are yet to update their TV to support their favorite streaming apps. Not to worry, though; a streaming stick is the answer and perfect solution. It turns any regular TV into a smart TV by making all of their favorite media apps, such as Netflix and Hulu, available through a voice-controlled remote.

9.) A sturdy and reliable shower caddy

Shower caddies are one of the most valuable things a new homeowner should have in their condos, considering that space is rather tight. That said, choose a shower caddy that has an adjustable tension rod to hold itself in place and fit everything they might need in their full floor-to-ceiling walk-in shower. Some of these may be a little pricey, but they are worth every peso you spend as you can be assured of their durability and reliability. In fact, if you choose a really good one, there is a likely chance that your recipient will never need to replace it.

10.) Surge protector with USB and USB-C ports

One of the most significant drawbacks of condo living, apart from the tight space, is the lack of available outlets. More often than not, new condo homeowners will have limited outlets in their new space, which can be pretty frustrating, especially if they have a lot of electronics and appliances. You can help them solve their outlet shortage woes by giving them a handy power strip that contains multiple regular outlets, including a USB port and a USB-C port. Power strips are typically designed to allow space for another plug to be used in the second length and can be moved around as it has a height of five feet.

11.) A duster that extends

Dusting around the house is one of the house chores a new homeowner would have. In fact, It is one of the less glamorous responsibilities that come with moving into a new condo. Make it easier for your recipient to clean their spaces by looking for a duster that extends so that they can get the job done quickly and efficiently. Also, choose one that has a handle that can reach higher to make it easier for them to reach into corners and crevices. If the duster you give them comes with duster refills, all the better.

12.) A unique way to display their photos

If they have been in their condo for quite a while and still have incredibly bare walls, they will need something fun to spice it up. Give them a hanging wall mount display that allows them to display more of their pictures. Choose one that is easy and fun to set up. In this way, they can enjoy hanging up their favorite memories and decorating their walls with them.

13.) A gift card

While it may seem like the safest and laziest option, there is; the truth is sometimes we do not really know what our recipients may need for their new condo. With that said, you may want to give them a gift card to any of the major houseware stores so that they can pick out a gift that they would certainly need and effectively use in their new space.