Do you have a new place, and are you ready to share it with those you love? There’s nothing better than involving friends and family in the joy of your new home and set-up, so when you’re ready, you should consider throwing a housewarming party.
In need of inspiration to make it truly successful? Here are some housewarming party tips that will take your hosting to a whole new level and will help you set roots in your new community.
1. Decide on the Type of Housewarming Party
The first step is to decide on the type of housewarming party you want to host. There are many different kinds, and determining which one is best for your needs will help set the mood, theme, and the to-do-list before your grand unveiling. It’s a good idea to take into consideration the following housewarming party ideas, but remember, this is your party, so you can combine a few ideas together to create the event to your liking. Here a few options to consider:
The Open House, where guests can mingle and come and go as they please. This is best when:
- Your guest list exceeds the number of available seats
- You don’t want to plan housewarming party games or activities
- You’d like small groups of visitors coming in so you can provide personal tours
Party Before Unpacking, where guests can visit before your new home is fully decorated. This is best when:
- Your guests want to see the house now instead of weeks down the road when you’ve finally unpacked everything
- You want a more casual party
- You want to mingle with close friends to relax in your new home after a big move
Decorating Housewarming, where guests can visit before you’re done furnishing your space, and can make a game of contributing to the final look and feel. This is best when:
- Your home isn’t completely set up yet, but you’ve unpacked and are ready to have people over
- You want your friends’ suggestions for decorating and need inspiration
- You want to design party activities around the set-up of the actual ambiance of your new home
2. Get to Know Your Neighbors
Once you’ve received the keys to your new home, you’ll be eager to familiarize yourself with the community. A housewarming party is an excellent way to meet your neighbors, make new friends, and help you feel at home. Plant your roots in the new community with these housewarming party ideas that welcome the neighborhood:
- Take time to introduce yourself to the neighbors early and invite them to your party
- Take your housewarming party to the streets with a front-yard food station, or rent a food cart for everyone to enjoy
3. Make it Child-Friendly
If your guests are bringing children, be prepared. Although it’ll take a little extra planning, it’s important to host a housewarming party that is child-friendly. This will ensure a better turnout, and will give off a welcoming and positive impression to your new neighbors. After all, if you forbid their kids’ presence before meeting them, you may be putting a stop to new relationships before they start. Here are some ways to accommodate children:
- Set up engaging games and activities for the kids to enjoy while adults can focus on the party
- Serve child-friendly drinks and food
- Don’t unpack the valuables just yet, or keep them safely tucked away
- Consider setting up either a child-only area or an adults-only area, to ensure that all party members feel comfortable and have their own space
4. Refresh and Relax
With all the socializing, your guests are going to need refreshments at some point. Whether serving a meal or not, always have refreshments readily available at any given time, but also take this opportunity to imprint your housewarming party in their memory:
- Serve a signature drink, like an autumn chiller, that will make your guests remember your housewarming for many falls to come
- Have refreshment centers with drinks and cups set up both in the kitchen and outdoors
- Add slices of lemon and lime to the water for an exciting supplement
- Consider adding a signature party favor, specific to your new home or location, if you’re able
With these housewarming party ideas, your guests can expect a splash of excitement. It’s the small details that go a long way, and with this in mind, you can host an amazing and stress-free housewarming party while also planting your roots in your new community.