Housewarming parties are a superb way to introduce your new residence to your friends and family, show off your new palace with pride and take blessings for your home with good times for a bright future, while hosting can be enjoyable but stressful if planning and preparation didn’t go well. So here are some housewarming party hosting tips for you to host a perfect party planning tips and ideas, and raise a glass to toast your new hosting skills made easy.
Relaxing atmosphere and setting the mood
Whether you pick a theme for your party or let your new house be the star of the show, you must first find out about the atmosphere and what kind or event you want to make for your guests.
Wait until you’re moved in
The ambience will be peaceful if you throw your party after you have settled into your new place, so set the party date for when you are truly ready for the guests to arrive, not because of an opening in the calendar.
Timing and preparation
The last thing you would want is to hurry the planning and preparation time because this will cause you stress and that stress could carry over into the party mood the whole time. Consider the smallest details like what time of the day works best for you , does it get dark early or do you want to have the party outside or inside or have a nice indoor outdoor flow for you guests to select from. If you set a time range for your party, you and your guests will be able to better plan around your event and bonus, you can avoid the awkward dance between wanting to close up the shop and the overstayer friend who likes to be last at the party.
Party style
You have to think about everything before hosting and one of the most important aspect is thinking about the style of party you want to throw, if you are having an open home style housewarming or a fixed time for your guests to be present, how long do you want your paty to go on, if it is for the afternoon or the entire evening. Think about seating and the food you might provide when deciding when to have your friends over.
Is it going to be a breezy afternoon tea party with vintage tablecloths, a tea and lemonade station, and a lovely selection of sweet and sabvoury finger foods like mini quiches and macarons, a game or a movie evening with popcorn, sweets and a barbeque or are you going to go all out with a fancy intimate dinner for a select few or having a cocktail party or simply a BYOB?
Vibrant selection of snacks, drinks and flowers on a table
Whichever style you choose just make sure you and everyone else feel relaxed with it, it is great to have goals but dont be too ambitious when it comes to what you can provide because the last thing you want isto be stressed and occupied at your own party.
Food and snack selection
Do you really want to serve a meal plus dessert and coffee or just nibbles and appetizers, if you want to have an afternoon party set your time for after lunch and before dinner with a set time for , so you can provide snacks without failing people who were expecting a meal, of course, if you are serving a meal, you will need to think about the layout, such as a buffet and self-serve bar, and extras like seating, place settings, and a stainless steel knife set from Inox Artisans, instead of paper plates, napkins and solo (plastic, disposable) cups.
Food allergies and sensitivities
Your guests may have allergies or special dietary needs. When planning the menu or trays of food, ensure you have asked everyone if they need any special adjustments, and have a couple of choices for those with set requirements throughout the party.
Either way you go, label your food dish names and list the main ingredients on the card, just in case someone hasn’t mentioned some foods they are sensitive to or really dislike. This will help prevent the nasty surprise of finding a cocktail napkin stuffed between your cushion with half-eaten hors d’oeuvres inside that you spent a couple of hours making because you were just certain everyone would like them.
Variety of choice
If you have a variety of sweet, savoury, healthy and natural, colourful, fresh and homebaked items, your guests will be pleased. There are also so many food sites with fun party dish ideas, you can take some time to pick a few signature foods and beverages you might want to offer but don’t forget to stock the drinks fridge and top up the bar. To make the presentation pop, using cheese board sets by Inox Artisans is a great way to display your snacks.
Invitations
How big or small of a party do you dream of hosting? Do you imagine handwriting individual, thoughtful and sweet invitation notes or sending printable invitations by post? Or are you game to adopt modern technology and use a digital app to e-vite your guests and manage RSVPs from your phone?
If you choose an app, consider one that doesn’t make your guests sign up and have to create their own logins. Nobody wants that trouble. There are applications, such as Punchbowl, Evite, and Paperless Post to choose from tons of customisable templates, or you can use Canva and build your own.
Save the date
If you are hosting your party during a busier time of the year, you might want to plan ahead with a ‘save the date’. Add a link to people’s digital calendars to avoid you and them missing out on each other’s presence. Let them know you’re throwing a housewarming party and that they are invited! Choosing high-quality housewarming gifts from Inox Artisans is also a great way to thank those who help you settle in.
Space arrangement
We briefly mentioned indoor and outdoor flow, and you will want to think about your space and how people will be able to move about and interact with others. Do you have enough space for any activities planned, or extra seating you might need? The idea is to create a space that doesn’t feel cramped or messy. You may have to consider limiting your guest list or choosing a drop-in style of party plan depending on your physical space allowance. If space is no object, then great!
Creating space
You can rent a classy marquee, pagoda or awning if you don’t have one, in case there is excess sun or rain and put extra seating and tables outside for bigger parties and to create more covered space. Adding a garden structure adds another element to the indoor and outdoor flow which is excellent for parties.
Minimalist décor
Decorating the party space should be done sparingly and thoughtfully to provide a tasteful, festive atmosphere. You don’t want to take up too much of the open area, let alone distract the eye from the true heroes of the party, you and your new home. Remember the rule ‘less is more’!
Some pretty tablecloths, matching napkins, and a table runner are a nice touch, but it ultimately comes down to your personal style and the type of party you’re planning to throw. If you need help visualising your ideas or want more ideas, Pinterest is always a great place to start looking for party décor concepts and housewarming gifts.
The special touch
Even some fresh flower arrangements are always nice and make it a little more colourful, and add a natural fragrance as well. And don’t forget some mood music and soft lighting for the more romantic occasions and if creating a playlist is not your thing, simply ask your guests to add three of their favourite songs when they RSVP and voilà! In an instant, you have a party mix designed around you and your guests. Definitely, it can also be one of the ideal housewarming gifts for those who love amazing artistry.
However, the main advice for our host is to relax and enjoy yourself. Surround yourself with the people you love or, at least those you really like, and they will likely take care of you too by refilling your glass or rolling up their sleeves when it’s time to help you tidy up.
Expert tip
Housewarming parties don’t have to be stressful when you’ve got all your planning in place, but why not relieve part of the financial burden of hosting too? Put a stop to your guests guessing what to get you and create a Collection Pot. Allow your friends and family to add into the Pot and then you get to choose how and where to spend it. Whether you want it to go towards the cost of hosting or perhaps for that really expensive coffee machine you have been saving up for, it is totally up to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When is the right time to have a housewarming?
Two to three months after moving in is the time, most people wait based on this as long as you are unpacked and your house gives you the feeling of home, not a construction site.
Q2. What do I do about food for a crowd?
Stick to "self-serve" stations. Even a buffet or big spread of finger foods would enable you to have more time schmoozing and less serving.
Q3. Should I tour the entire house?
Yes, most of the guests are usually curious so when you can do is, do small group tours during the whole event or you let the guests decide whatever they are comfortable with.
Q4. How long does a housewarming party last?
A normal party is about 3 to 4 hours. Setting a specific start and end time on the invitation allows you to manage everyone’s expectations — and your own energy level.
