You’re buying a new house, and you want to invite people over to see and celebrate your new home. If this is your first home, you may never have thrown a housewarming party before, and you may be wondering where to begin. A housewarming party can be relaxed, fun, and budget-friendly if approached with a good attitude and a realistic plan.
Here’s how to pull it off in style.
Step One
What’s the point of throwing a housewarming party? – It’s a coming-out shindig for your new life together in your shared pad and a way to make people feel welcome in it. Okay, and maybe to gloat (just a little) over your new space with all that cool wedding swag on display. Don’t worry if you’re not living in your dream home yet. You still have every reason to throw a housewarming if you’re renters or even if you’re simply moving into his old place (or vice versa).
Step Two
Can you have one to celebrate a new renovation? – It’s still cool to throw a party to show off your revamped kitchen or new deck — just call it an open house, not a housewarming party. What’s the difference? An open house is less about your big-picture household and more about a new feature of your home. It’s also a more laid-back affair where guests can come and go, and gifts aren’t part of the equation.
Step Three
Should we wait if the place isn’t quite the way we want it yet? – A home is always a work in progress, so there’s no need to wait until your nest is at its camera-ready best to send out invites. No one will notice if you haven’t slipcovered your sofa or repainted your bathroom the right shade of blue (trust us). You can have an informal get-together as soon as the movers unload the last box, or you can wait until the house is (mostly) ready for show.
Step Four
What should we serve? Housewarming parties are typically just cocktail hours with your basic drinks and hors d’oeuvres. But the party should suit your tastes and your new abode. If your place has a great backyard, an outdoor barbecue might be best. Or, if you want to show off the kitchen, try an a.m. brunch.