Moving into a new unit of St. Lawrence Market condos is an exciting time for homeowners. They like to invite all their friends round to show off the place. If you're one of the friends, you know that you shouldn't show up to a housewarming party without a gift for the host or hostess. But what if you're a hopeless gift giver? What should you bring? Don't worry. That's why we've written this guide. Follow it's advice and you should be fine.

Housewarming parties celebrate the homeowner moving up in the world. Maybe he or she used to live in a succession of cramped Toronto condos and now he or she lives in a nice spacious home in the suburbs. As such, there will be more space to fill than before. The idea of a housewarming gift is to help fill up this extra space with items that will help the new homeowner settle into their new place. The emphasis is on items that are both practical (i.e. useful) and attractive, so let this be your baseline while you're shopping.

To have the best chance of success in finding an item a homeowner will like, you need to do a little research. Find out, perhaps from friends of yours who are Mississauga real estate brokers, or from your memories of visiting their old place, what they have already. Then have a look at their person and their old home and try to determine their style. Do they like things that are new and modern or classic and antique? Do they love bright colors or prefer wooden finishes? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you shop for them.

Once you know what they need and their style, you're ready to go shopping. Unless your friends are turning their new home in Ontario into an Oasis of reclaimed or antique furnishings, you should never shop second hand. Always buy new. Your price range will depend on what you can afford and how close you are to the homeowner. Family might spend $100 or more, but friends are usually in the $20 to $50 price range. Some items you might consider include dishware (serving plates, wine glasses, etc.) or decor (paintings, vases, lamps, clocks, etc.).

If you're really finding it difficult to buy in accordance with the homeowner's plans for their new real estate in Scarborough, Toronto or you're not sure what they like, go with a gift card. A gift card to a home store like HomeSense, Winners, Ikea, or Bed Bath and Beyond allows the homeowner to choose their own item instead of having to store your ill-chosen item at the back of the closer. Gift cards great for people who are control freaks when it comes to decorating.