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8 HOUSEWARMING TRADITIONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

April 15, 2024

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Across the globe, diverse cultures commemorate the significant occasion of moving into a new home with a variety of fascinating housewarming traditions. These customs are deeply rooted in history and hold special significance for those embarking on this new chapter of life. Some are believed to usher in good fortune and blessings upon the home and its occupants, while others serve as symbols of hope and prosperity for the future. In essence, whether labeled as traditions, rituals, or superstitions, moving into a new home offers an opportunity for a joyous celebration and connection with loved ones. It's a time to share in the excitement of new beginnings and create lasting memories in the cherished space that will soon become home.

The rear facade of a dramatic ochre-colored Spanish Colonial-style estate home with a sparkling pool under a beautiful sky with fluffy clouds at dusk
Prancing Horse Estate


What unique housewarming ideas would you consider to mark your new life after moving into the majestic Prancing Horse Estate in Carpinteria pictured above? Here are some interesting ideas Santa Barbara homeowners can embrace:

  • Light A Candle on Your First Night
    In many religions, lighting a candle and saying a prayer on your first night in your new home will help ward off evil spirits. Lighting a candle is also a way to bless your new home by bringing light into the darkness. In medieval times, housewarming traditions included burning fire in the fireplace to symbolize strength and purity.

  • Bread & Salt
    This tradition is believed to have Russian Jewish origins. A gift of bread will ensure the new residents of the home won't go hungry. Bringing salt symbolizes a life full of flavor. Both represent significant symbols; salt was once so valuable it was used as currency. Giving salt to a new homeowner is an important sign of hospitality and wealth.
Bells hanging from the eaves of a temple or pagoda.
Photo by Lisheng Chang on Unsplash
  • Ring A Bell
    If you practice feng shui or another ritual of Far Eastern influence, you'll want to ring Tibetan Tingsha bells the night you move into your new home. This simple practice is believed to clear each room of stagnant or dying chi. Feng shui also suggests homeowners open windows, turn on fans, and let in the sunlight to welcome auspicious good feng shui chi.

  • Tie A Holy Thread
    Buddhists have many housewarming rituals believed to bring good luck and blessings. In Thai culture, one tradition includes tying "Sai Seen," holy thread or string, around the wrists of family members as well as the home's statue of Buddha.
A bowl with a tied bundle of sage and a cristal
Photo by Karly Jones on Unsplash
  • Burn Sage
    This practice is thought to be derived from Native American traditions. Burning dried sage, called sage smudging, is a traditional method of clearing out negative energy. Clean the energy of the entire house by directing sage smoke into the corners of every room. Burning sage will add protection from negativity.


No matter what your heritage is, if you’re looking to move in Montecito, Hope Ranch, or any of Santa Barbara's upscale communities, please call at (805) 886-9378 or email me at Cristal@montecito-estate.com. I’ll happily add your listing to my portfolio of fine homes in the area and find a new dream home for your family where you can celebrate with one of the above housewarming traditions. Or, create your own unique ritual!



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“We have used Cristal now several times and cannot express how grateful we are for her expertise, dedication, and unwavering support throughout the entire home-buying process. Cristal is knowledgeable, patient and attentive. Her attention to detail is remarkable, and she consistently went above and beyond to provide us with all the information and resources we needed to make informed decisions. Cristal is a skillful negotiator and advocate. She can navigate complex negotiations with professionalism and grace and felt like a true partner to us in the home-buying process. Cristal has a genuine passion for real estate and a deep commitment to her clients' satisfaction. I cannot speak highly enough of Cristal and her exceptional service. She is a true expert in her field and her dedication to excellence, combined with unwavering support is the reason we choose to work with her for all our real estate buying needs.”

- T.C.

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- M.A.

“Working with Cristal was a complete pleasure. Cristal was extremely patient with us as we evaluated nearly 2 dozen homes over a span of 2 years. Her knowledge of the market is unmatched. Cristal provided us with exceptional counsel as we evaluated opportunities and negotiated pricing. The closing process was handled thoroughly and efficiently. We could not be happier with our purchase and even more happy to now call Cristal our friend.”

- D.K.

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- John and Lacey Williams

“After considering our many choices, we are grateful it was Cristal Clarke of Sotheby’s International who represented the sale of our Montecito cottage. We are familiar with Cristal’s reputation of hard work and dedication to clients, but it was her attention to detail that made our experience so positive. She offered suggestions for staging the property, worked in harmony with potential buyers and was even able to secure back up offers. The sale of our cottage was completed much sooner than we expected, due in great part to Cristal’s professional skills and support. We highly recommend Cristal as a first choice for anyone needing representation with real estate.”

- Michael & Nancy Lee

“Our experience in working with Cristal Clarke resulted in the successful and discrete acquisition of a property which was not yet on the open market. Her knowledge of the Montecito/Santa Barbara area and vast expertise blended with her passion for real estate and architecture, provided us with the very highest level of professionalism and personalized services. Cristal exhibited a rare combination of excellent communications, attention to detail, creativity and patience.”

- Richard and Catherine Frinier

“Cristal really breaks the mold. She knows every nook and cranny of this real estate market, understands value, and follows up on everything, all the time. She was incredibly patient with our two year quest to find the perfect house. Every house hunting trip from across the country was well planned, and our time was never wasted. On top of her professionalism and expertise, she is delightful to spend time with. We are thrilled with the home we purchased, and grateful to Cristal for so wisely advising us through this process, right through to the close and beyond.”

- Laurie Siegel

“We met Cristal first in the course of renting a winter home (for three years), then buying a house using her as our agent. She was amazingly good at listening to our wants and showing us homes that fit our needs. Her mastery of the paperwork was perfect. Most importantly, there was never a situation where we doubted her straightforwardness or integrity. If we do another real estate transaction in Montecito (which I doubt, we’re happy with what we purchased), without question we’d use Cristal again.”

- Ken Saffir

“Susan and I just want to thank you for your efforts in the sale of our home. You are really quite amazing. Your competence, persistence, optimism and humor made the entire process effortless. Every problem that arose, you somehow fixed; any obstacle, you overcame. We have bought and sold many homes. It has never been such a painless and enjoyable process!”

- Michael & Susan Marquart

“A little something about “our” realtor, Cristal Clarke. My wife and I came to Santa Barbara about fifteen years ago looking for a seasonal home from which to enjoy the weather and amenities of the central coast. Being in the real estate business myself I was familiar with agents and brokers so entered the market with open eyes. We “flipped” a few houses in the early years, dealing with various agents and finally ended up in Montecito. That’s when good fortune put us together with Cristal. To say we were impressed is to put it mildly. Cristal really knows the market. She is familiar with the area, its history and trends. When we have questions about a particular property she either has the answers immediately or gets back to us by phone or email. There is no waiting or wondering with Cristal. She is an agent who is “on top of it.” Her recommendations as to price points, contractors, inspectors and title agents have proven to be exceptional, showing great insight and the highest professional standards. We consider ourselves exceedingly fortunate to say that Cristal Clarke is our realtor and would recommend her services to any serious buyer or seller.”

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