Tips for a Successful Housewarming Party

Posted by
Realty Navigator

3 months ago

Tips for a Successful Housewarming Party

After acclimating to a new home and/or neighborhood, throwing a housewarming party is a great opportunity to bring together family and new and old friends. Inviting people into your new abode can solidify the sense of settling in and make your house into a home.

You don’t need to plan an over-the-top bash to have a successful party. The most important part of the experience is the company, after all. However, there are a few ways to best prepare for the occasion. Here are a few tips on planning a memorable housewarming party.

Get Properly Settled In

There’s no better time to warmly welcome guests into your new home than when you’re both physically and mentally prepared to do so. Even if you hire a professional moving company to assist with the change, the experience of moving is taxing in itself; you know that, and your guests do too. There’s no need to rush the occasion. Whether you decide to throw a housewarming party one week, one month, or one year after getting settled, the opportunity will never disappear.

Give yourself the time you need to adjust and acclimate to your new abode, and prioritize your mental health. Remember that your guests are far more interested in catching up with you or getting to know you than observing if every pillow and picture frame is in place. Attend to your needs first and then worry about planning a party. If you’re in the right mental space for a get-together, your guests will sense your positive energy.

Send Out Sprightly Invitations

Sending out invitations the “old-fashioned way” (in the mail) will make your gathering feel more like a formal event. Not formal in the way of a black-tie evening, but in the sense that it was planned out and anticipated.

Invitations allow you to provide guests with all the key details: the date, time, and location, as well as any tidbits you’d like them to know, such as to each bring a homemade dish for a “family recipes” potluck. You can also use invitations to convey a theme for the occasion, or incorporate your favorite color scheme or the palette of your new home’s interior.

Don’t Overdo the Decor

While it can be exciting to party-plan, be mindful not to overplay the decorations. An ornate and colorful centerpiece, with matching plastic cutlery and napkins, and a vase of fresh flowers should do the trick. However, it’s not necessary to extend the baubles beyond the food table unless you’re planning an all-out bash with 50+ guests. Plus, the fewer doodads you have, the less cleanup you’ll be left with.

Put Together an Upbeat Playlist

Welcoming guests at the door with music sets the stage for a lively, cheerful get-together. Like with any great houseparty, you’ll need a solid playlist. Unless you and your guests are part of a particular music scene, consider defaulting to easy-listening tunes, top hits, and songs from your favorite era. Spotify is home to hundreds of curated music lists, which takes the stress out of the selection process.

Serve Enough Food and Drinks

If you’re hosting a party at or around mealtimes, the rule of thumb is to serve food. After all, there’s nothing less inviting than a house full of people and a bare table without a morsel to eat. If you want guests to relax, unwind, and feel at home, then you’ll need to feed them.

There are a few ways you can go about serving your guests. Here are a few ideas to consider:

cheffing up a few home-cooked dishes in advance
calling a caterer
asking each guest to bring a dish
sticking with finger foods and filling up a table with bite-sized snacks
picking a theme based on the season, e.g., barbecue, comfort foods

To add a more personal feel, you might choose to create a signature drink, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, in honor of your housewarming party. Give it a fun name, garnish it with fresh fruit and/or salt or sugar around the rim, and toast to a fruitful future.

Give Guests a Tour

Whether you’re celebrating a move to an apartment, condo, or house, or if you’re commemorating a new rental or home-ownership journey, your guests will expect a tour. In fact, a tour is an absolute staple at housewarming parties.

With the anticipation of guests perusing your bedroom and private bathroom, it’s understandably wisest to clean in advance. Keep distracting items out of sight, like cosmetics, cleaning products, and bills, magazines, and other paper goods. If you manage a busy schedule and your budget allows it, consider hiring a cleaning service no more than a week ahead of your party. If not, don’t skimp on giving your humble abode a thorough cleaning beforehand.

Say ‘Thank You’ With Party Favors

Send guests on their way with a physical token of your appreciation for their time and presence. You don’t need to choose something over-the-top, but a fun, event-related gift will warmly remind guests of the occasion and show your gratitude. Some relevant ideas include house-key bottle openers, small succulents, candles, or paint chip magnets.

Let Yourself Have Fun

Though the goal of a housewarming party is to bring friends and family together, remember that you are the one being celebrated. While you’re putting effort into a successful party, don’t forget to allow yourself to enjoy the occasion too. If you’re having a good time, so will your guests, and the rest will take care of itself.

Guest Author Bio:

Danielle Renda is a content specialist with Ark Behavioral Health, an addiction treatment provider offering a full range of treatment options for addiction and mental health care, including inpatient drug rehab and outpatient treatment services.

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