The prerequisite for the topping-out ceremony is the completed shell. The house building adventure has reached an important milestone and homeowners can almost take hold of their new home. The topping-out ceremony has a long tradition; elements of it can be discovered as early as the 14th century. To celebrate the completion of the work, subjects and authorities came together. Today it is friends and family as well as other people involved in the construction. You are invited to a topping-out ceremony and are therefore wondering: What do you give at the topping-out ceremony? Ten ideas follow.
Prospective homeowners are happy about everything about the house and garden that makes it easier to get started and makes the new home comfortable. Gift inspiration can be found here.
Gifts for the topping-out ceremony can be practical, after all, the future residents are building a new home for themselves. Every house needs a doormat. If you also know the recipient’s taste in films, you could score twice as much.
Practical and no less important for a new home is a suitable place to store keys. Music fans will enjoy this key rack that relies on guitar connectors to attach keys to.
The new residents will certainly have to measure a lot. That’s why a ruler is also a suitable present for the topping-out ceremony.
Either this souvenir is served directly at the topping-out ceremony or the recipient can pour themselves the whiskey on the evening of the move-in. In any case, alcoholic drinks make good topping-out gifts and a good drink is considered a classic present.
Bread and salt are traditional housewarming gifts. They not only serve as a practical gift, but also as a congratulation. The bread symbolizes the “daily bread” and the salt is considered one of the most valuable possessions of a household. Tip: Homemade bread makes a particularly nice present.
Anyone who builds a house usually also has a garden. No matter how small or large the green space is, green plants create a beautiful atmosphere. Cherry laurel for the garden is uncomplicated and can be planted in large numbers.
Small gifts for the garden don’t just have to be intended for future homeowners. A small bird feeder offers a new home for blackbirds, maize and co. If the recipient belongs to the circle of (hobby) ornithologists, they will also enjoy watching their flying companions.
Topping-out gifts can also contribute to the future appearance of the home. A solar house number is not only practical because it does not require electricity, but is also a visual eye-catcher.
Green plants are one thing, colorful flowers are another. Wildflower seeds are also a suitable gift for the topping-out ceremony. Seeds not only quickly create a colorful display of flowers in the new garden, but also provide a valuable home for insects.
Solar lights for the garden bring light into the darkness. You can use it to illuminate walkways or make your terrace and garden more comfortable. Because they do not require electricity, you save costs and can be placed anywhere outside as you wish without a power source.
The shell is complete and prospective homeowners are invited to the topping-out ceremony. Traditionally, the roof is decorated with the topping-out wreath (also called the topping-out crown) or the topping-out tree. Those who are overseeing the construction of the house, as well as friends and family, are invited. There is a short speech, the topping off, to thank the architect and builder.
Traditionally, carpenters raise a glass of schnapps or wine after the speech and toast the clients’ well-being. The glass then lands on the floor. If the glass shatters, it is said to bring good luck. If it remains intact, this is said to be a bad sign according to superstition.
This is followed by hammering the last nail into the beams. Carpenters only lightly hammer the nail and hand it over to the builder. For the finale, this nail must be completely hammered in. Afterwards there is a celebration.
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