1. tbf
  2. group congratulations card
  3. New home card

New home card.
What to write.

Say congratulations on the address, name one thing you hope happens there, and offer to visit. A new home card is a promise to come round.

The new home card messages are sorted by who is writing. Pick your group, name the place, then sign.

Create a cardRead a sample card

Everyone's words in one card.

Updated

A house. Congratulations on the new house. The first cup of tea there is the best one.

Happy housewarming. I bring this card and zero DIY skills.

From Dev

To our son and his family: enjoy every room. Happy new home.

From Ellen

You did it. Your own front door. Congratulations.

From Ben

Pick a design

  • A house. You're a homeowner. First job: find the stopcock.
  • Two glasses. Well done, you. Have a proper night off.
  • A set of car keys. You passed. Mind the kerb.
  • A mortarboard. Congratulations, graduate. The hat stays on for photos only.
  • Midcentury congrats card. Congratulations.
  • Cutpaper congrats card. Congratulations.
  • A set of car keys and the words try one, try two, try three. Third time lucky. Congratulations.
  • Two glasses. Congratulations. Pop something.
  • Marker lettering with a highlighter stroke. Congratulations. We never doubted you. (We doubted you a bit.)
  • A set of car keys. The keys are yours. Congratulations on the new place.

The question

Each writer gets a question.

One at a time, about Sam. They answer in their own words, or write without one.

Who they are to you
  1. Something you saw Sam do to get here.
  2. The moment you knew Sam would manage it.
  3. Something Sam put up with on the way.
  4. A thing about Sam that made this no surprise.
  5. The part of this that was all Sam's own doing.
  6. Something you hope Sam will stop and enjoy.
  1. The moment you knew you had a proper friend in Sam.
  2. Something Sam did that only a friend would.
  3. A thing you still laugh about together.
  4. The time Sam turned up when it mattered.
  5. Something Sam knew about you before you said it.
  1. Something Sam did for the family that went unsaid.
  2. A habit of Sam's that you have caught yourself copying.
  3. A memory of Sam from when you were younger.
  4. Something Sam put up with from you.
  5. Something Sam taught you, mostly by example.
  1. A small thing Sam did that you noticed and never mentioned.
  2. The moment you knew.
  3. Something Sam did this year that made things easier for you.
  4. A thing about Sam you would not change.
  5. Something Sam carried that was yours to carry.
  1. The thing you go to Sam for.
  2. Something you picked up from working beside Sam.
  3. A bad day at work that Sam turned round.
  4. Something a new starter should be told about Sam.
  5. Something Sam did that made the job feel worth doing.

Or write without one.

New home card messages

Pick your group, name the place, and sign.

For friends

  • Congratulations on the new place. I am inviting myself round already.

  • Happy new home. I expect a full tour and a cupboard I am allowed to judge.

  • Congratulations on the move. The spare room has my name on it.

  • New home, new postcode, same friends. First dinner is at yours.

  • Happy housewarming. I bring this card and zero DIY skills.

  • Congratulations. May your boiler be young and your neighbours quiet.

For family

  • Congratulations on the new home. We are so pleased for you, and we will visit often.

  • Happy new home, darling. Ring us when the boxes are gone and we will come for dinner.

  • Congratulations. A home of your own at last. We are proud of you.

  • To our son and his family: enjoy every room. Happy new home.

  • Happy housewarming. The kettle is our gift. The advice is free and endless.

For a first home

  • Your first home. All that saving was worth it. Congratulations.

  • Congratulations on the keys. Nobody hands those over lightly, and you earned them.

  • First home, first mortgage, first of many happy years. Well done.

  • You did it. Your own front door. Congratulations.

  • Happy first home. May the walls stay up and the rent stay gone.

Funny

  • Congratulations on the new home. I give the white walls six months.

  • Happy new home. Flat pack furniture has ended stronger friendships than ours.

  • Congratulations. Home ownership: the most expensive free time you will ever have.

  • New home. The garden is now your personality. Congratulations.

  • Happy housewarming. May your wifi reach the bedroom.

Short

  • Congratulations on the new home.

  • Happy housewarming. Enjoy it.

  • New place. Very happy for you.

  • Congratulations. Come round soon.

  • Happy new home to you both.

What to leave out

Do not mention the price, the deposit or the mortgage rate. They know what it cost.

Do not criticise the area, the size or the decor. They chose it and they are happy.

Do not promise help moving unless you mean it. Mean it.

One card from everyone

Friends, family, the old neighbours. One link, and it opens on moving day.

  1. 01

    Add moving day.

    The card opens that morning and not before.

  2. 02

    Ask everyone.

    Each person gets one link and writes once, in a browser.

  3. 03

    They read it among the boxes.

    Each housewarming message carries a name. They keep it.

Create a card

Questions

What do you write in a new home card?

Congratulations on the address, one hope for the place, and an offer to visit. Name the street or the flat and it becomes theirs.

What do you write for someone's first home?

Say what an achievement it is. A first home took saving and waiting, and the card should notice that.

Do you give a card for a rented flat?

Yes. A new home is a new home. Nobody asks about the mortgage before writing congratulations.

When should a new home card arrive?

The week they move in, or the first time you visit. After a month it is a late card, so bring it with wine.

Part of group congratulations card.

More guides

Somebody has a day coming up.

Create a card

Everyone's words in one card.