Gifts for New Homeowners

The first year in a house is a string of small surprises. There is a drawer of mystery screws, a gutter that overflows, a smoke alarm chirping at 3 a.m. New homeowners have just spent every dollar they had on the place. So the best gifts are the tools and safety gear they need but keep putting off buying.

Under $25 6 ideas

  1. Klein Tools 11-in-1 Screwdriver / Nut Driver

    One handle that carries the screwdriver bits and nut drivers for most household jobs, from outlet covers to furniture. Electricians have trusted this one for decades.

    Klein ToolsStocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  2. Stanley FatMax 25 ft Tape Measure

    A wide blade that stays straight over long distances, so one person can measure a room for a rug or a couch. Every new home sets off a lot of measuring.

    StanleyStocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  3. Fiskars Bypass Pruning Shears

    Sharp, durable hand pruners for the shrubs and roses that came with the house. Usually the first garden tool a new homeowner wishes they had.

    Fiskars

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  4. Command Picture Hanging Strips Variety Pack

    Hangs frames and mirrors without nails and comes off cleanly, which helps while they are still deciding where everything goes.

    CommandStocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  5. WD-40 Multi-Use Product with Smart Straw, 12 oz

    Quiets squeaky door hinges, loosens stuck bolts and frees up sticky locks. Old houses need a lot of it, and new ones need some.

    WD-40Stocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  6. Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Skillet

    A first-home pan that will outlast the mortgage. Gives a great sear and goes from stovetop to oven.

    Lodge

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Under $50 7 ideas

  1. Stanley 65-Piece Homeowner's Tool Kit

    A hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, sockets and more in one case. Enough for hanging shelves and assembling furniture without borrowing from the neighbors.

    Stanley

    See it on Amazon

  2. Franklin Sensors ProSensor M150 Stud Finder

    A row of lights shows the whole width of the stud at once, so there is no guessing or sliding back and forth. Makes hanging a TV or heavy shelf far less stressful.

    Franklin Sensors

    See it on Amazon

  3. First Alert HOME1 Rechargeable Fire Extinguisher

    A rechargeable, multi-purpose extinguisher with a metal valve for the kitchen or garage. The safety item most people forget to buy until they need it.

    First Alert

    See it on Amazon

  4. Kasa Smart Plug Mini, 4 Pack

    Puts lamps and holiday lights on a schedule from a phone app and works with Alexa and Google. An easy, no-wiring start on a smart home.

    Kasa

    See it on Amazon

  5. Cosco Three Step Folding Step Stool

    A steel step stool that folds flat to fit beside the fridge. Ceilings, smoke alarms and high cabinets suddenly become their problem.

    Cosco

    See it on Amazon

  6. Brother P-touch PT-D210 Label Maker

    Labels the breaker panel, the shelves in the garage and the storage bins. A satisfying tool for anyone setting up a new place from scratch.

    Brother

    See it on Amazon

  7. Reader's Digest New Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual

    A thick guide to plumbing, wiring, carpentry and repairs, with clear drawings. Handy for the moments when online videos disagree.

    Reader's DigestBook

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Under $100 4 ideas

  1. Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner 1400B

    A small spot cleaner that lifts spills out of carpet, stairs and couches. It will get used on the very first spilled drink at the housewarming.

    Bissell

    See it on Amazon

  2. Flexzilla Garden Hose, 50 ft

    A hybrid polymer hose that stays flexible and does not kink, even in cold weather. Much easier to coil than the stiff hose left by the previous owners.

    Flexzilla

    See it on Amazon

  3. LEVOIT Core 300 Air Purifier

    A quiet HEPA purifier that helps with dust and fresh-paint smells in a bedroom. Small and with affordable replacement filters.

    LEVOIT

    See it on Amazon

  4. Ring Battery Doorbell

    A video doorbell that runs on a rechargeable battery, so it installs with no wiring. They can see who is at the door and keep an eye on package deliveries from their phone.

    Ring

    See it on Amazon

$100 and up 2 ideas

  1. DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit DCK240C2

    A drill for holes and an impact driver for long screws, with two batteries and a charger. Covers nearly every household project from curtain rods to decking.

    DEWALT

    See it on Amazon

  2. Shark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum NV352

    A powerful upright whose canister lifts off for stairs and upholstery. Long-running and well-reviewed, it handles a whole house of carpet and hard floors.

    Shark

    See it on Amazon