A housewarming party is an opportunity to celebrate your recent home purchase and show off your new house to family and friends. To make your party a success, follow these simple tips.
Choose a Date Carefully
Before you schedule the event, think about any potential conflicts. If a major holiday is coming up, your loved ones will probably already have events on their calendars. Schedule your housewarming party before or after the holiday, when your relatives and friends will be likely to have some free time.
Plan to host the party on a weekend, when people won’t have to work and will have time to travel, if necessary. Send out invitations well in advance so your guests can make travel plans, reserve hotel rooms and arrange childcare.
Be Realistic About the Number of People You Can Host
You might want to invite your extended family, friends, coworkers and former classmates to the party, but that might not be practical. Consider the size of your new house and how many tables and chairs you can fit. Remember that your guests will need space to mingle and dance.
Serve Food and Drinks Your Guests Will Enjoy
Whether you decide to prepare food yourself or have the event catered, make sure that there will be something for everyone. Consider individual preferences, dietary restrictions and allergies. Clearly label dishes that are vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free, as well as foods that contain common allergens.
Provide a variety of beverages for adults and children. If you want to serve alcohol, decide whether to serve liquor or just beer and wine. If you expect some of your guests to drink a lot, consider having them spend the night at your house.
Show off Your Home as Guests Arrive
As family and friends trickle in, seize the opportunity to provide personalized tours. Point out features they might find interesting, tell them about the home-buying and moving-in process, and reconnect one-on-one or in small groups.
Keep Your Guests Entertained
Play music that will appeal to everyone. The playlist should include modern hits, as well as songs that will spark feelings of nostalgia in your older guests. In keeping with the theme of the party, the music should be upbeat and fun.
You might want to plan some games to encourage everyone to interact and create a festive atmosphere. If you’re going to have kids at the housewarming party, think of some family-friendly games that everyone can play.
Plan for the Weather
If you want to host an outdoor event, think about what you’ll do if the weather doesn’t cooperate. You might have to move the housewarming party indoors or set up tables and chairs in the garage. Consider renting a tent so you can host the party outside, regardless of the weather.
