Housewarming party etiquette - Germany

Some German friends of mine recently moved into a new apartment. Now that the boxes are unpacked I have been invited to their housewarming party. What is expected here? It would be great if it was like the German birthday tradition, I need a 20 speed, 220V blender! At home it has become so commercialized that there are "housewarming registers" at the major retailers! A former coworker even invited the movers. I guess moving the whole household wasn't enough.

take some scented candles and wine (not the 2 euro from Toom- 4 euro bottle is good) and that will be greatly appreciated.

Housewarming parties I have been to have been pretty informal. Sometimes, contributions in the form of food are welcome.

Bringing 20 grammes of speed is MORE than generous.
Be carefull not to fall into the American bad taste trait of over tipping.

If you want to be nice and traditional, salt and bread are typical housewarming presents in Germany (and other countries). The bread so there will be no hunger, the salt to add flavour to life. Get a nice loaf of bread and wrap it up in a new tea towel and buy a nice salt cellar or get some sea salt in a pretty jar or similiar.

Bread and salt are perfect. Get a bottle of wine with it and you're good. The warm wishes and that you care for the traditions have much more value than a new toaster.
I remember the strange looks I got while bringing bread and salt to a San Diegan house warming, but the champagne that came with it was much appreciated...

My German neighbours who gave me salt and bread explained that the salt was actually to cleanse the house of any evil spirits for a fresh start.

actually it was bread against hunger, and salt, to give a bit of luxury (at a time where it was still luxury)...

My German husband and his brother call these "burning down the house parties" ...no sinister undertones, just the German sense of humor! He says just find out what they need in their new house and this is your answer...failing that a good bottle of Oberkirch Rivaner would probably go down well.

I have heard of salt rising bread but ...salt and bread? Seriously, thanks for the input. A Russian friend told that salt and bread was (in former times) a gift of welcome. Just as here, it remains a folk custom even today.

Yes, seriously, that is the absolute classic and traditional housewarming gift. Maybe get some sea salt, in case someone else has the same idea (quite likely), so they do not end up with several salt cellars.

With my bread and salt (and breadboard & breadknife :-) came this poem in a frame, I assume it's also traditional ...

Wir wünschen Dir viel Glück und Frieden,
in Deiner neuen Häuslichkeit.
Gesundeheit sei Dir stets beschieden,
mit Dir zieh ' ein Zufriedenheit.

Dem Brauche folgend, dass zu Wänden,
die neu sind, gehört Salz und Brot,
nimm beides hin aus unseren Händen
dann bleibt der Schwelle fern die Not.

Luckily noone made me read it out loud, Colin XX

Here's what Leo says too as it's believed to keep the Drachen and Hexe away