With so many of my friends, family members, or co-workers buying houses or moving into a new home recently, I wanted to come up something I could give them as a welcome kit for their new home. Yes, I could give them a fancy cooking appliance they'll never use, but instead I like the idea of giving them something that they can use during those first couple weeks when your house doesn't yet feel like home. 

I've partnered with Honest (a brand I love and have used in my home since they started 4 years ago), to make this Housewarming Welcome Kit which includes some functional things to get them through those first couple weeks as well as some celebratory things for them to bask in the glory of a new space!

Here's how to make it…

If I'm giving a gift in some sort of container, I always want the recipient to be able to use that container again. So we used a simple tool box as our vessel and painted it in this painterly watercolor style to make it feel extra special.

To create the painterly toolbox, you'll need:

– a large wooden toolbox (you could also make a small one)

– watercolor paint tubes and white acrylic paint

– at least 2 paint brushes

Here's how…

1. To spruce up the plain toolbox, we came up with this technique to give a watercolor effect on wood. First cover the surface of the wood with a wash of white paint.

2. While the white paint is still wet, dab small amounts of the watercolor paint right out of the tube in several areas on the board. We used three different colors and made about 2-3 dabs each.

3. Wet a large flat brush and pull the brush across the painted surface in the direction of the grain. Go back and forth over the surface no more than 3 or 4 times to lightly mix the watercolor with the white paint. Don't mix it too much or the color will lose vibrancy. Allow to dry overnight.

4. The wood should then be sprayed with a sealant, like this to make sure that the pigment does not wash or rub off. Once the sealant is dry, you can build the box according to the directions and pack it with goodies for the new homeowner.

Our must-haves:

1. Toilet paper — Because when you haven't unpacked yet, everyone needs some TP.

2. Coffee — for those late nights unpacking or early mornings in your new home

3. A plant — nothing brings life to a home like a little greenery 

4. House Cleaner — including Honest's Floor Cleaner, Glass Cleaner, and Multi-Purpose Cleaner (will link to products) for getting your space nice and shiny before setting up shop

5. Hand Soap — a new bathroom necessity

6. Dish Towels — one of the first things you need in the kitchen even if your cooking supplies are still in boxes

7. Hammer — for hanging art and making repairs

8. Chocolate — because everyone needs a little treat after a big move

9. Champagne — to toast and celebrate a new home!

10. Cheer — To make it a bit more festive, we also added some fun paper poufs, disposable flatware, and fun straws.

I'd spend anywhere from $50 to $100 on a nice housewarming gift for a close friend, so all the items in here fits in that range and can be made closer to $50 or closer to $100 depending on how fancy you get with the kind of chocolate or coffee you get or the specific items you choose (ie. drop the champagne if you want to spend a little less).

We love how versatile the toolbox is for a new homeowner because they can use it in so many different ways (apart from an actually using it as a toolbox) like…

1. cleaning supplies under the sink

2. magazines/books next to a couch

3. towels in the bathroom

4. gardening supplies

5. cups and silverware for alfresco dining

And that's it! It's such a fun gift to make because you can customize it however you want with both the practical gifts and the indulgent gifts.

Honest has kindly offered an Oh Joy reader code to get 25% off your first cleaning essentials bundle with code "OHJOY25OFF”. See terms below.

*This post is sponsored and compensated by Honest—a brand I love and use daily. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that make Oh Joy possible.

Promo Terms: 25% off your first bundle. Offer valid only for first-time bundle buyers at Honest.com, now through November 30th, 2015, 11:59pm PT. This offer can only be redeemed once per customer and cannot be applied to International Surcharge, taxes, shipping, previous purchases, current Bundles, the purchase of gift cards or gift Bundles. Offer cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with any other coupons or promotions. Terms of offer are subject to change.

{Photos by Casey Brodley, crafts and styling by Ariel Fulmer, creative direction by Joy Cho.}