Purchasing a new home is a wonderful milestone in life. One of the oldest traditions once you’ve secured a new residence is to throw a housewarming party for all of your friends and family to help you share in the excitement of your new life venture. If you’d like to craft the perfect housewarming party, these tips have you covered from food to entertainment fun and everything in between when inviting your friends to take a look at your small house.
When to Plan
If you’re looking forward to having a housewarming party, make sure your excitement doesn’t have you jumping the gun and throwing your shindig mere days after moving in. The move-in process is stressful, no doubt about it, and you’ll want to ensure you’ve got the time and energy you need to make the party a successful one. Generally people throw their housewarming parties a few weeks after moving in. This gives you time to settle in and get everything in order before your guests arrive. Once you’ve decided on a date, save time and money by sending out e-invites that will keep your guests informed of any changes that might happen between now and then. Using a site like Eventbrite will give your guests an easy way to RSVP and let you know how many people to expect.
For Feasting
One of the best tried and true ways to welcome people to your home is to barbecue. This is a great idea for a small house especially, because most of the revelry will happen outside once they’ve received the tour so you don’t have to worry about whether there’s enough space or not. Plus delicious smells and gorgeous sunshine make way for a roaring good time. Many new homeowners choose to go the way of finger foods, as guests can mill about and enjoy their easily handled goodies while exploring the new dwelling. One thing that’s a definite crowd pleaser: a dessert table. Get some delicious cookies arranged in bouquets for your guests to ooh and ahh over, cut some fresh fruit to lay around for a healthier option, and whip up some cupcakes that will make the house smell delicious when your guests begin to arrive.
A Drink Station
If you’ll be enjoying cocktails at your event, don’t stress yourself out with the task of keeping everyone’s glasses refilled. Instead, set up a cocktail table outside where guests can mix their own favorite concoctions. Provide all the mixers and accoutrements they might need, and don’t forget to offer non-alcoholic beverages for those who do not drink (and for any little ones that might be attending). From plastic cups to straws, make sure it’s an all-service set up so your guests can find what they need and you can continue to mingle without stopping to refill their libations.
Prep the Bathroom
No doubt the most visited room during your housewarming party will be the bathroom. Make sure it’s well stocked with toilet paper, hand towels for drying off, and plenty of soap. You’ll want your bathroom to remain clean and smelling great, so use a plug-in air freshener if only for the party’s sake.
Seating Options
You’ll have people milling around inside and outside of the house, so make sure you offer plenty of spaces to sit. Pull out any extra chairs from bedrooms, borrow some folding chairs from neighbors, or lay out some plush pillows on the floor for little ones and the more agile adults to relax on.
Protect Your Valuables
A housewarming party means having a large amount of people in your home, and if you have items that could be easily broken by a passing shoulder or bump of the hip (a definite worry in smaller spaces) you’re going to want to put them away for the party. Even though you’ll likely know and trust everyone attending your party, accidents happen and it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry.
Setting the Ambiance
A lot of factors go into creating a pleasant atmosphere, but there are easy fixes to make sure your home is as welcoming as possible. Light some candles to infuse your home with wonderful wafting smells, and put on a specially curated playlist of tunes to keep your guests swaying to the beat and avoid buzz-killer silences. Clearly direct guests to the coat closet or armoire so party-goers know exactly where to put their belongings. That way you aren’t calling up half your guest list trying to figure out who left their nondescript bag on the kitchen counter. Plus you don’t want your invitees feeling weighed down by bulky possessions taking up space during the festivities.
Make your small housewarming party an event to remember with these tips and revel in this amazing milestone with the people you love most.
