Example list
Lena's first apartment
- Cordless drill + bit set Gifted
- Blackout curtains, 84"$45
- Non-stick pan set$120
- Robot vacuumGroup gift
- Monstera plant + pot Gifted
Why a housewarming list makes sense
Moving is expensive. Deposits, movers and the furniture you need on day one eat into the budget, and the dozens of smaller things a home needs get pushed back for months. Friends and family genuinely want to help, but without guidance they'll default to wine, candles and a novelty doormat.
A housewarming list fixes the mismatch. You add the specific items your place is missing, with the link, the size and the color, and friends pick what suits their budget. Measurements matter more here than for most gifts: curtains, rugs and bedding all come in sizes, and a link to the right one avoids a return trip.
It also works with any store. Americans furnishing a new place tend to shop at Target, IKEA, Wayfair, Home Depot and Amazon. In the UAE, where people move often and many apartments come unfurnished, IKEA UAE, Home Centre, Pan Emirates, Amazon.ae and Noon cover most of it. GishFy doesn't care which; paste the link and it goes on the list, priced in USD or AED.
Each item can only be gifted once, so nobody doubles up. For bigger pieces like a sofa, a robot vacuum or a washing machine, a friend can start a group gift and others pledge toward it. The progress is tracked in GishFy; the money is handled between you outside the app.
Set up a housewarming list in 3 steps
- 1
Walk through each room
Note what's missing in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living room, plus tools and cleaning gear.
- 2
Add items with sizes
Paste links from any store and include measurements, colors and quantities so nobody guesses.
- 3
Share with the invite
Include the link when you send housewarming party invites, or share it when people ask what you need.
Housewarming gift ideas, room by room
Most housewarming gifts land between $20 and $75, or roughly AED 75–300. Fill the list mostly in that range, with a couple of bigger items marked as group gifts.
Kitchen
Where new homes are usually most underequipped.
- Chef's knife and cutting board
- Pan and pot set
- Air fryer or slow cooker
- Glassware and a set of mugs
- Food storage containers
- Dish rack and tea towels
Tools and essentials
The unglamorous things every home needs in week one.
- Cordless drill and a basic toolkit
- Step ladder
- Fire extinguisher and smoke alarm
- Extension cords and power strips
- First-aid kit
Living room and decor
What makes a new space feel like home.
- Throw blanket and cushions
- Floor or table lamp
- Rug in the right size
- Framed prints or a mirror
- Indoor plants and planters
Bedroom and bath
Note the bed size and the bathroom's color scheme.
- Sheets and a duvet cover
- Blackout curtains (with measurements)
- Towel set and bath mat
- Shower caddy and storage baskets
Cleaning
Practical gifts people are glad to receive.
- Cordless stick vacuum
- Robot vacuum (group gift)
- Mop and bucket set
- Laundry basket and drying rack
New home in the UAE
What Dubai and Abu Dhabi movers often need, priced in AED.
- Furniture and storage from IKEA UAE or Home Centre
- Water dispenser or filter
- Blackout curtains for the summer sun
- Bakhoor burner and home fragrance
- Majlis cushions and floor seating
Housewarming etiquette for hosts and guests
Hosts: wait until you've moved in
Live in the place for a week or two before writing the list. You'll discover what you actually need, like the shelf you keep wishing you had, rather than guessing.
Hosts: keep the list optional
Housewarmings are less formal than weddings. Share the link when people ask, or add a soft line to the invite such as "No gifts needed, but if you'd like, here's our list".
Guests: bring something small to the party
Even if you gifted from the list, a small hostess gift for the evening, like flowers, a plant or something for the table, is a nice touch.
Guests: ship big items ahead
Nobody wants to carry a drill set through a party. Request the host's address through GishFy; they approve it, and you can order directly to their door.
Everyone: measure twice
Curtains, rugs and bedding are the most-returned housewarming gifts. Hosts should put measurements in the item name, and guests should buy the linked size.
Frequently asked questions
Still unsure? These are the questions we hear most.
Is it OK to have a housewarming registry?
Yes, as long as it's optional. Share it when people ask what you need, or mention it softly in the invite. Many guests prefer having a list to guessing.
What is a good housewarming gift?
Something the home needs and the host would like: kitchen tools, a plant, quality towels, a toolkit, or a piece from their housewarming list. Wine and candles are fine, but practical gifts often get more use.
How much should you spend on a housewarming gift?
Most people spend $20–$75 (about AED 75–300). Close family sometimes gives more or joins a group gift on a bigger item.
Can I add IKEA and Home Centre items to my list?
Yes. Paste a product link from any store, including IKEA, IKEA UAE, Home Centre, Target, Wayfair, Amazon, Amazon.ae and Noon.
Do guests need to see my address?
No. Your address isn't shown on the list. A guest who wants to ship a gift requests it, and you approve or decline. You can withdraw access later.
Is GishFy free?
Yes. Making and sharing a housewarming list is free, and so is gifting from one.
Turn the new place into home
List what each room still needs, share the link, and let the people who love you help you settle in.