Housewarming Parties to Show Off Your New Home

Buying a new home is a proud moment and a milestone meant to share with family and friends as you invite them into your home to "warm" it with friendship. Housewarming parties don't need to be elaborate, but if this is your first new home and you want some ideas and some of the do's and don'ts that go along with having a housewarming party we've put together some easy to follow ideas. Should You Host Yourself? With bridal showers and baby showers, it's often considered a no-no to host the event yourself. However with a housewarming party the opposite applies. The purpose of a house warming party is to extend warmth and hospitality while welcoming guests into your new home. Should I have the Party Before or After Everything is Put Away? This one is all personal preference. Some people want to present their home, as it would be in their daily living complete with decorations and wall hangings. Others like the idea of hosting before the furniture arrives to easily tour people through, have wide-open spaces for dancing and mingling and keep the staining to a minimum on furniture. However if you go this route you have to think about bringing in seating and tables for your guests and catering the affair. Whichever you choose, don't pick halfway and host a party with boxes and decorations placed randomly anywhere. What Type of Party Should It Be? You can go with a formal affair with a set time where you expect people to arrive and keep it more intimate. Or, if you want to invite a lot of people, the open house method may be better suited to your needs. This way people can arrive and depart during a set period of time. Who to Invite? Guests can consist of anyone you like, but think about inviting family and close friends as well as new neighbors to get to know your new surroundings. If you enjoy the company of your co-workers and you think you'd like to attend something similar if they were to invite you, then add them to the list. Should There be a Theme? You are already in the process of moving and unpacking your whole life in a new location. Keep-it-Simple is a great theme! Think backyard BBQ, seasonal or regional, but don't drive yourself crazy or go to a huge expense, unless that's your specialty. When to Send Out Invites? Depending on the intricacy of your planning, 3 days to 3 weeks is sufficient. You can invite people by word of mouth, electronically through Evite or Facebook events, or by good old-fashioned snail mail. Include a way for your guests to RSVP so you can get a head count for food and drinks. What Should I Serve? Again keep it simple. Finger foods are best so people can mix and mingle while they look around the house and get to know you and your family. But if you want to plan a huge meal, consider setting it up buffet style instead of sit down where you need to make sure you have enough seating for your guests. Also the lower maintenance the food and drinks, the easier it will be for you to chat with your visitors and spend less time in the kitchen preparing food. Should You Register For Housewarming Gifts? There is controversy among the etiquette experts when it comes to the topics of gifts for a housewarming party. Traditionally guests bring little gifts such as plants, vases, picture frames, or dishtowels. Or they may bring edibles for the party itself such as a bottle of wine, a cake or cookies. This is not the time that most people receive big ticket items to furnish their home or fill out their china pattern. If you do decide to register because you think people will be asking you what they can bring, then go for it. But under no circumstances should registry information be included on the invitations. Some guests may find that in poor taste. The objective of throwing a housewarming party is to welcome people into your home, possibly meet your new neighbors and have a wonderful time showing off your new place. Anything else is gravy. If you do receive gifts make sure to send out thank you notes in a timely manner. In the mean time enjoy your new home!