Happy housewarming

Got a friend or relative who has just moved house? Then forget flowers or pot plants as a housewarming gift, and get them a present they’ll remember for a long time. From door mats to candles, there’s a host of fun and practical gifts to choose from

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1. STEP ON IT: Whether you just want to welcome them home every time they step through the door, or leave a constant reminder of your lovely self so they don’t forget to call you, these mats are the perfect way to do it. The words are produced on to high quality PVC backed coir mats and you can add a personal message of up to 12 characters per line, printed in bold black letters. Priced at £27.95 and available by calling 0845 217 6382 or visiting www.gettingpersonal.co.uk

2. SET IN STONE: At first glance, this looks like a set of three pebbles, polished by time and tide alone. A closer look reveals they are actually candles designed to look like pebbles. Practical and pretty, the pebble candles can be found in Woolworths stores priced at £3. Phone 0870 411 7112 or log on to www.woolworths.co.uk

3. NEST EGG: For a practical but pretty gift, how about this appealing ceramic chicken? It is designed to hold eggs and keep them at slightly cooler than room temperature. Available from Marks and Spencer priced at £15. Call 0845 302 1234 or visit the website at www.marksandspencer.com

4. CLUNK CLICK: Get the housewarming party started with this Americano retro-style Chill bottle holder from John Lewis priced at £20. With a practical handle and handy bottle opener attached, it can hold six bottles of beer. Call 01224 625000 or visit www.johnlewis.com

5. SWEET TREAT: Remember that old song about baking a cake if you knew visitors were coming? Go one better and welcome your friends to their new home with a smart set of cake tins — filled with your own home baking. This set comes from Matalan and is priced at £4 for a small tin, £5 for a medium tin and £6 for a large one. Call 0207 298 6530 or visit www.matalan.co.uk

6. LOVE LETTERS: Show your friends how much you love them, and their new home, by presenting them with a set of hand finished nickel plated letters spelling Love. Presented in a gift box they can be wall hung or mounted. Priced £35, they are available from Retreat Home. Call 01628 471056 or log on to www.retreat-home.com