Years ago when you went to someone's new house you brought a gift. A basket with salt/bread etc.?

There used to be a saying that went with your gift - bread so you will never go hungry salt for etc etc Cant remember what saying was and what went in basket...Anybody remember. thanks

Years ago when you went to someone's new house you brought a gift. A basket with salt/bread etc.?
Bread – So you never go hungry.


Wine – So that joy and prosperity may reign forever.


Salt – So there is always spice in your life.


And a Candle – So you always have light.
Reply:Here's one version. This is based on Italian traditions:





Traditional House Warming Gifts


by Anthony Parente





One of the more popular requests that I have received via email has to do with traditional house warming gifts. The tradition of giving a new homeowner a gift goes back centuries. In today's standards many people might find these gifts a bit peculiar, but there is significance behind each item that will mean more to a new homeowner than any gift you could give them.





This custom and tradition is not just something that Italians did. In fact there are various cultures that also give gifts to a person who purchased a new home. I can remember that when someone bought a new home you would give that person a broom, salt and bread as a gift, but as you can see below these are not the only items that one can give. I am sure this is not a complete list of items that one can give a new homeowner. If there is a traditional gift or custom that your family does for new homeowners please send me an email message listing the item and the significance of this gift so I can update this list for others to continue this tradition.





Item/Gift Significance


Bread - You will never go hungry


Broom - Sweep away the evil; Your house will always be clean


Candle - You will always have light


Coin - Bring good fortune for the year


Honey - Represents the sweetness of life


Olive Oil - Health, Light and believe it or not, keep your husband faithful


Plant - You will always have life


Rice - Sign of fertility


Salt - Represents life's tears; You can also place a pinch of salt at the threshold of each door and window for good luck; Mend all wounds


Wine - Never go thirsty; Your home brings you happiness and joy


Wood - Your life/home will always have stability, harmony and peace
Reply:The other item was a tin of WD40.
Reply:It was from the movie "Its a wonderful Life" where Mary Bailey gave housewarming gifts.


I found this on a blog:


The gifts were:





A small whisk broom: Sweep away the evil; your house will always be clean.





A shaker of salt: Represents life's tears; or place a pinch at the threshold of each door and window for good luck; Mends all wounds





A loaf of bread: You will never go hungry





A pretty candle in a jar: You will always have light.





A jar of honey: for the sweetness in life





A bottle of wine: You will never go thirsty. Your home brings you happines and joy.





A bottle of olive oil: Health, Light, and to keep your husband faithful.
Reply:As far as I know, it's a German tradition. However further googling found it prevalent in Russia and also within the Jewish community.





Two common themes - bring bread, salt and wine, the other to bring bread, salt and a new broom as it is unlucky to bring an old broom to a new home.
Reply:I've never heard of that but that's an intresting story. I'll have to google it and if I find it I'll post it.
Reply:"Bread so you'll never go hungry, salt so your life will always have flavor, and a scented candle for the bathroom because well, you know." - Phoebe Buffay