editors gift picks

The Housewarming Gifts Our Staff Writer Wouldn’t Mind Getting for Her New Place

Housewarming gift ideas from our staff writer — The Strategist on gift guides

Every month, we Strategist editors tell you about the best things we’ve recently bought for ourselves. But what about the things we wish other people would buy for us? It’s a ritual for us to share our holiday wish lists, but during the rest of the year we’re also having birthdays, housewarming parties, weddingsbabies, and more. So now we’re spilling about the gifts we’d like for those milestones, as well. This time: staff writer Lori Keong, who just moved into a new apartment, on the housewarming gifts she’d be most delighted to receive.

This move has helped me realize that I have far too many things and not enough storage, so I would really appreciate some organizational help. We’ve covered these baskets before, but I didn’t seriously consider getting one until I spotted a row of them in Mandy Moore’s pristine pantry.

In that vein, these mini-woven-stacking-basket boxes would definitely come in handy (and they look a lot better than plastic storage). I found them one day when I got lost on one of organizer Laura Cattano’s Pinterest boards.

True story: The cheese grater is my favorite kitchen utensil. I feel like I would find a way to add cheese to anything. My roommate owned the grater in my last kitchen, so I would like to upgrade to one like this that’s beautiful, handheld, and has multiple grooves.

I’ve been holding onto a set of cheapo, sorta-coarse towels ever since my first month in New York (I went all the way out to the Kohl’s in Caesar’s Bay — so clearly this was before I worked for an e-commerce site). Thankfully, I just received a fresh set of these plush Brooklinen towels, and they’re exactly what I would want if I didn’t already own them. They’re so soft and luxurious, and big enough to swaddle yourself in.

The sound of shattered glass always makes me anxious, especially when I’m carting around boxes of fragile stuff, so I was sad to find out that my Yield pour-over was a casualty of the move. It’s one of my most treasured items, so I would be really grateful if someone was kind enough to replace it.

Milky glass has been on my mind since I covered all things jadeite earlier this year, but I haven’t made the leap yet. I think this set in millennial pink would be multifunctional and pretty enough to leave out on the counter.

Zojirushi Rice Cooker
$48

Besides making the best water bottles, Zojirushi also has an understated single-switch rice cooker that I would love to get my hands on. My last roommate had one of those with ten buttons on it, but it would be nice to pare down with something more no-frills.

And if I’m not getting a super-functional gift, I just want something fun to look at that will give my space some character. These candles remind me a bit of the Venus of Willendorf — I love them. The white one can be had at Garmentory, but as of now stock is low; the set through AHAlife comes in pastel colors.

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Housewarming Gift Ideas From Our Staff Writer