Housewarmings in Different Cultures

Ever wondered how housewarmings differ across the world? There are similarities across cultures, but also some pretty major differences. Here are the housewarming gifts and rituals that have largely stood the test of time. 

Cleaning supplies and… toilet rolls?

If you move home in Korea, your friends and family will probably bring toilet paper. Cleaning supplies and toilet rolls were once luxury items so they were generous gifts. Cleaning supplies (like detergents) tend to bubble, and are chosen for the symbolism of the new residents’ wealth (hopefully) “bubbling over”. A toilet roll, or 10, might not seem like the most exciting gift, but it’s not going to spoil or be thrown away, unless you have particularly fussy taste in toilet paper.

In Japan, a common gift is only slightly more noteworthy: a small hand towel. It is a humble but kind gesture, and if the gift was too expensive or outlandish, the new homeowner might feel obliged to buy a return gift. Some towels, like Imabari towels (originating from the place of the same name) are more of a luxury gift. 

Bread and salt

In Russian Jewish culture, bread and salt represented good hospitality – visitors would bring bread so the homeowners would not go hungry, and salt so that they’d always have flavor. Bread has traditionally been a staple at almost every meal in many cultures, not only for Russian Jews, and salt was historically used as a currency so is sometimes seen as a sign of wealth. 

In many Jewish cultures, new homeowners receive gifts such as candelabras, mezuzah cases, and menorahs, available from stores and designers like Nadav Art (https://www.nadavart.com/). 

Rice, water, and a knife

In Thailand, visitors bring homeowners rice, water, and a knife. In a similar manner to the bread in other cultures, rice and water is a sign that food will be plentiful, and a knife is to protect from any evil spirits. During the ceremony Sen Wei Jour Teen, the homeowner offers ghosts and spirits food, water, incense and flowers in exchange for protection. 

Across the world in Germany, something vaguely similar happens with acorns, which are used in dishes made by new neighbors. Acorns were traditionally used by the Norse to ward off evil spirits. 

Blue porches

In the Gullah tradition, beginning in Africa and then spreading to regions of Georgia and South Carolina, porches were painted “haint blue” (“haint” meaning “haunt”) to ward off evil spirits. Jessica Sullivan notes that blue accents around doors, windows, and shutters are common in the South. 

A walking cow

While not exactly a gift like those above, in parts of India, a cow is allowed to walk through the house first to bring good luck. This happens during the ceremonial housewarming of Grinha Pravesh. During the ceremony, boiling milk is allowed to overflow to symbolize upcoming prosperity. Nowadays, homeowners sometimes enjoy a rice pudding as their first dessert together. It is considered fortunate to move into a new home on a Thursday and better to avoid a Friday or Saturday.

Italian brooms

In Italy, new brooms are given as a sign of sweeping out what’s come before and welcoming what’s new. Italians also like the traditional gifts of many other countries: rice, salt, honey, and candles (which many cultures consider a sign of light and warmth).