Buying a new house–especially a first home–is one of the thrills of a lifetime. The importance of this event has been recognized in cultures around the world for centuries. Many traditions have evolved to help ensure that the home is a place of comfort, retreat and harmony for the new occupants. Housewarming parties and housewarming gifts are two of the most prominent ways to honor this event.

Traditional housewarming gifts held symbolic meaning for the recipient. Gifts of salt and bread were to make certain that the inhabitants were never hungry. Brooms symbolized sweeping away bad luck. Candles meant “may you always have light.” Coins could be given to bring good fortune. Gifts of honey represented the sweetness of life. Gifts of plants and seeds are related to life and health. Gifts of rice were for fertility. Gifts of olive oil indicated and wish for the recipient’s health and harmonious marital relationships. Gifts of wine meant that your home would bring you happiness and joy. Gifts of wood symbolized stability, harmony and peace.

In more recent times, small gifts of any type for the home have become the norm: kitchenware, fine art, decorative items, and houseplants. Housewarming gifts might also include paintings or prints featuring flowers, herbs or gardens for the kitchen. Images of the ocean, a harbor or a beach work well in bathrooms. For hallways, entryways and other areas of the home, prints of landscapes are perennial favorites. Frame the painting or print to match the decor of the new house. Very small framed prints are also perfect for bookshelves, fireplace mantles, pianos or coffee tables.

Kathleen Karlsen, MA is an artist, writer and design consultant residing in Bozeman, Montana. Fine art and unique gifts by Kathleen and other selected artists can be found at http://www.livingartsoriginals.com Visit us today to find a wonderful addition to your home decor or a gift for someone special! For an extensive article about flower symbolism see http://www.livingartsoriginals.com/infoflowersymbolism.htm To see a selection of available flower paintings, please visit http://www.livingartsoriginals.com/originalfloralart.htm