Gardening tools. I assume by "house" you mean single family-detached. Every first time homeowner needs them....even people who work and go to school.

How about a book on basic home repairs and DIY stuff...every homeowner will face some kind of repair at some time...or even just want to hang shelves.

Gift card to Home Goods. If you can find out her colors, a cozy throw for the bed or sofa to go along with the gift card.

Any of the suggestions above would be great. I would steer clear of anything decorative. That's part of the fun of a new place - picking out your own "stuff".

I usually get something for the kitchen-- if you want something smallish, fresh coffee or interesting teas are nice. I usually get spices, a good olive oil and some vinegars.. I just sent a package to my niece with a large selection of spices from a local handcrafted spice shop. He has a small selection available in an etsy store Calicutt Spices (many more available in the brick and mortar). I am using his vermont maple-cumin blend today!

My family has a tradition of giving a small jar of sugar, salt, bread-- a swedish custom (also jewish, polish and I am sure other cultures) to symbolize a sweet, spicy and prosperous life. My jar was split from the one my grandmother gave my mother. It is also traditional to sweep the house with a new broom.. to remove any bad mojo or spirits.

A gift card as suggested would be something I would just love and agree that she probably wants to pick out her own decorative things for her new home. I've had such fun with that myself, even down to the new kitchen towels. Congrats to her!

A fire extinguisher. Bet she doesn't have one!

Penzey's spices.

I accidentally cut my recommendation for Penzey's spices when I added the bit about my local shop.. Penzey's has a few gift boxes too! Also like the idea of a fire extinguisher.

I would let her choose her own wreath... but a gift cert to Williams-Sonoma (they have nice wreaths), Terrain, Home Goods or similar would cover that.

I received a copper windchime as a housewarming gift. I thought it was a great idea for a gift.

Woodstock Windchimes

Wow! So many suggestions I never thought of. Jmc, yes, a single family house.

I order from Penzey's, and although she cooks, I'll let her pick her own spices. She's going to be extremely busy for the next few semesters to do any serious cooking.

Love the gardening tools, but, with winter approaching I'd like to get her something she can use now.

The book on home repair is a great idea. So is a fire extinguisher. However, I'd like it to be a bit more personal/girly. Her parents live in the same town, so I'm sure they'll help her. I will mention to my son to tell her to get a fire extinguisher though. Good idea!

Funky, I sure like the sugar, salt and bread gift. Can she actually eat it or should they be saved?

Keep the ideas coming!

A beautiful wooden cutting board. She can "save" it to use for a cheese board at parties or just go ahead and use it as a regular cutting board.

Crl, now I like that idea! It would also look nice sitting out. We keep our's next to the stove.

I like the idea of a gift basket, and one of my favorite online stores is King Arthur's Flour.

KAF

I'd like to get her some little things including some quick bread mixes which are delicious. A new loaf pan would be nice too.

No no-- you don't eat the bread, salt, sugar.. they stay in your house to bring you a sweet, spicy and prosperous life. Mine came in a small jar. My grandmother was born in the US but still carried a lot of european superstitions!

You could always modify to make it more gifty .. get some interesting salts and sugars (maple sugar is nice this time of year-- or vanilla sugar) and a nice sourdough or european style bread. Salt and bread is a very traditional hostess/housewarming gift in many cultures.

A few more ideas .. i bought my nephew a panini maker with some great bread and mustards for a housewarming gift. It's great for someone on the run and busy.. it can transform a few leftovers into a great sandwich. I try to avoid sandwiches myself.. but he loved it! My sister gave me a small tree that was decorated with ribbons holding gift cards to home depot, home goods, and a few local restaurants when I last moved. It was charming and much appreciated-- but a pretty substantial gift-- perhaps more than you'd want to give to a son's gf.

I like the ideas shared, esp the fire extinguisher but agree her parents would be setting her up with those items.

How about taking a photo of the front of her home and having it "waterlogued" and framed for her?

http://www.waterlogueapp.com/madewith/

I've never used this app but learned about it from folks here on GW. It would be something to commemorate her first home.

Editing to add this blogger does this by hand... I've never inquired about her pricing but her work is lovely. (I'm not related and do not know her)

http://www.pvedesign.com/portfolio/places/

I was also going to suggest a nice cutting/serving board. There are some beautiful marble/wood combination ones that are great serving pieces.

How about a basic tool set....hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, etc......I think they even come in girly pink now!

I agree that gift certificates are best. I'm sure there are a million and one things she wants/needs, but would prefer to pick out herself. I'd put together a nice wooden cutting board with a bunch of snacks and include gift cards to a home improvement store, Home Goods or the like, BB&B, and even Trader Joes or Whole foods. If she's like me at that age, she probably put everything she had to get into that house and will be dead broke for a while!

Funkyart, lol my MIL never let us take an old broom when we moved. "A new broom sweeps clean" is her mantra. I like the pink tools or bread/cheese/serving board ideas. Love the gift card tree too!

Gift card to Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, Williams Sonoma, Home Goods, Crate & Barrel, Bed Bath & Beyond, Macy's. I had so many home gifts from well meaning friends and family that just were not what I liked.

Chiming in on the gift card - plus something to eat. I like the idea of attaching the gift card to a food item. Maybe some kind of gourmet snacks, preserves or teas - or wine...

I like to give this book to young people decorating their first home. You could add a gift card if you wanted.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Meghan-Method-Step-By-Step-Decorating/dp/0982938705

So many great ideas here! One suggestion, most of the college-age young women I know, DD included, hate those pink tool sets. They think they're demeaning, like they're too ditzy to know how to use "real tools". Just their opinions. DD is proud of her metal tool box that her Dad filled with good quality real tools.

Lots of great ideas! I'd probably stick with a gift card and add to it with something non decorative.

I had thought about tools earlier today but since she's been on her own there's a good chance she has some. Her father dotes on her. :) While I like the idea of gift cards, I'd like to give her an old-fashioned gift.

Now I'm leaning towards a cutting board with something to go with it.

a nice cutting board with a some nice cheeses and bottle of wine?

a very nice hunk of parmesan and chocolate and whole nutmegs and a couple of nice microplanes?

How about asking DS what she would like?

Also suggest gift recipt with any "real" gift saying "if this is not the right size/color, please exchange it for something that would work better for you."

I did receive a nice housewarming gift of a kitchen clock which I used for 30 yrs

I was going to suggest a gift certificate at Sur la Table, but I think BB&B might be more practical, plus more bang for the buck.

If you don't want to do a gift card, stick with a cutting board with some fancy cheeses. Nothing decorative that she might think she will HAVE to use in case you stop by. Or really nice white towels.

Lynn, SO glad you mentioned about the pink tools. My DD is in her late 30's, and finds the concept Offensive. She takes pride in her top quality tools & equipment; her full woodworking shop, racks of power tools, compressor and pneumatic tools, electrical and plumbing equipment and so much more - takes up nearly her entire basement and then some.

I like the idea of a cutting board with maybe some food specialty items in a gift basket she might not normally get for herself, plus the microplane and cheese busybee mentioned.

I bit my lip on the pink tools when I first read the suggestion--I am with Lynn and Grama on this one. They are generally poor quality and just not something I'd want. I have plenty of girly things-- but I don't want a "made for precious girls" set of tools.

How about a cheese knife set to go with a cutting board?

Etsy has has some cutting board options. I think these are pretty but usable. There are also options you can have personalized. Some those are so elaborate that I'd be afraid to use them though as cutting on them seems like it would ruin the design.

Oakley, do you have a budget in mind? I know my mom has a limit for the "unengaged" mates of children and grandchildren.

Combine the cutting board with a fun cook book and some cheese/sausage/condiments.

Sorry, not sure I'd do a cookbook. Could imply she doesn't know how to cook or that women should be in the kitchen cooking for their men (specifically her son), just like dear old mom did.

I wouldn't get a cookbook just because recipes are online for many of us. I was gifted several and, honestly, have never opened them. When I need a recipe, google/pinterest/etc. is easy!

White the gift cards are probably the most practical, I know sometimes I would prefer to give an actual gift. In that vein, I do think the cutting board is a really good idea along with the gift receipt as mdln suggested.

I thought the kitchen clock idea is a good one but even that might be style specific.

so many great ideas on this thread, but many really do relate to people's decor and or taste.

Funky, it won't be an expensive gift, just something nice and simple. I could just bake her a cake! :)

right.. that is what I was thinking. Simple and thoughtful. I apologize for suggesting things over and above-- things I'd get a sister. I think a cake.. a gift basket of modest items.. a modest gift card. All are thoughtful and will be appreciated! It would be a different story altogether if they were buying the house together.

Just a comment about windchimes.....more people hate them than love them. Her neighbors may want to strangle her if their peace is disturbed by endless clanging. :-)

I still have my first tool box, assembled piece by piece by my Dad.

My suggestion would be a gift card, too, maybe to a good department store where cookware, dishes, bedding, and all manner of home decor items can be found.

But think of everything to be found at a Home Depot!

I really like idea, a cake. To me, they signify "special occasion" and can be remembered long after they are gone.

Many, many years ago an aunt gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers, something I never would have bought for myself. While obviously they did not last forever, I still remember that gift very fondly.