How to Create a Traditional Housewarming Gift Basket

Welcome new neighbors with a gift of food and wine. Don't forget a corkscrew.

Giving bread, salt and wine as a housewarming gift is an old tradition that some say has roots in Russia, Judaism, Christianity and many Eastern European cultures. In "It's a Wonderful Life," Mary Bailey welcomed newcomers with such a gift. Creating a basket with these is a warm and thoughtful gift.

Things You'll Need

• Basket
• Fresh bread loaf
• Sea salt
• Wine
• Notecard

Instructions

1. Choose a basket. You may also consider using a colander, small tote bag or serving bowl.

2. Homemade bread is always best, but you could purchase a delicious fresh baked bread loaf from your local bakery. Choose sea salt in a nice container. If you know the taste of your new homeowners, choosing a wine will be simple. If not, consider a local wine if they are new to the area, or maybe just one of your favorites. If you know that they do not drink alcohol, choose a nonalcoholic wine or sparkling cider.

3. Place the bottle of wine, bread and salt in the basket. You could wrap with cellophane or just add a simple bow. Other items can also be added, such as gourmet chocolate, jams, wooden spoons, cheese and olive oil. Personalized stationery could also be added to the gift basket.

4. Add a handwritten note that includes the following:

   For your new home: bread so that your home may never know hunger, salt so that life may always have flavor, and wine so that joy and prosperity fill your home for a lifetime.

References

• Curbly: Assembling "It's a Wonderful Life" Housewarming and Wedding Baskets
• Martha Stewart: Housewarming Gifts