Questions on house warming party???

Question

In 2 weeks i am planning on hosting a house warming party, It is my first house, and i am only 19 so i am super excited about it! I am inviting family and friends. There will be at least 25 people there, What would be the best way to do this? Have it as a dinner or a day party, and what types of things do i do except show the house. If i prepare dinner what do i make for that many people? And if i dont prepare dinner what kind of food do i serve? Any tips would be much appreciated. I am a little lost when it comes to planning this as i am planning this on my own. Thanks!!!

Answer 1

Have it as an open house. Serve finger foods from a buffet set up: tortilla pinwheels, cheese ball and crackers, veggies & dip, finger sandwiches, or sliced ham, beef, turkey (any or all) with a basket of small rolls so people can make their own sandwiches. Use a small crockpot to keep cocktail franks or meat balls warm. For sweets set out brownies, lemon bars, small cookies. Brew up a pot of coffee, and have hot water & tea bags available. Have soft drinks available as well. I am going on the assumption that you don't have a lot of 'service' ware but you can always borrow an extra coffee pot from your mom or a friend (to keep water for hot tea ready). See if you can get a couple of good friends to help you (with setting up and keeping an eye on the buffet table).

When I held mine, I set the drinks up in one room and the food in another, so that people had an excuse to wander about and see the house on their own. If it is not a cold or rainy day, you could always set the soft drinks in tubs on the patio.

Answer 2

For that many people and with little entertaining experience do a buffet. Housewarming parties tend to be pretty casual, and arrival times may vary considerabley so food that is already out that you don't have to mess with might be best. Plan for things that can be made ahead and warmed at the last minute if necessary and do absolutely as much as possible ahead of time. You might even want to purchase platters of food.
Dress up the house with flowers and/or plants.
Also, enlist a couple of friends to help so you can enjoy the party too. I'd also go for a day party, you're showing off your new home so having the light would be good. It also (weather permitting) allows the party to spill outside if it needs to.
Remember that the more relaxed you are the more relaxed your guests will be. It's actually pretty stressful to be the guest of a completely harried hostess so keep it simple, have your friends help you and do most of the work in advance.
Oh, and disposable dishes are probably a must. And be sure you have plenty of space in your trash can.
Have fun - I'm sure it will be a big success!

Answer 3

Congrats on the house at a young age! Since you will probably be having a big variety of ages at the party, I find that it's helpful to start it in the afternoon and have it go til whenever. That way all the adults can ooh and ahh and still go home early and then you and your friends can chill for the rest of the night. Buffet style works best in my opinion...you don't want to try and time everything right for a sit-down dinner for 25, especially when you're not used to your kitchen yet! Besides, that way people can grab a plate and wander around your lovely home. Keep It Simple...Don't stress to much about having it look perfect either...your family and friends won't care! Enjoy!

Answer 4

For that many people (and as an inexperienced host), a buffet is the best way to go. Have a mixture of hot and cold foods, as well as a mixture of colors, flavors, and textures. You can buy some frozen, heat-in-the-oven hors d'oeuvres at Costco or Sams, and make some things. To reduce stress on the day of the party, try to make as many dishes as you can in the days before. A veggie/dip tray and a meat/cheese tray are basics which can be bought pre-made (although this is a lot more $ than if you do it yourself). Look on line for recipes. Good luck!

Answer 5

Your best bet is to make it an open house and give people a four to six hour window to come on by and visit. Serve "picky" foods buffet style. Things people can pick on while they're there - kind of cocktail party style. Also, try to think of foods that can sit out for a few hours, foods that are best eaten cold or at room temperature - cheese and crackers, veggie platters, etc. Plus, if you think you're out of food, have a few take out/delivery places on speed dial. You can always use the excuse that you're testing out the new goods in the neighborhood.

Answer 6

I would do it as a simple, daytime party, maybe around 3: PM. For that many people, prepare something simple, like spaghetti with a meat sauce & a green vegetable salad, and some garlic bread (which you can buy at the supermarket already made up, just warm it in the oven) and a simple dessert like cake or a pudding parfait. You could even go simpler and have cold cuts like a variety of lunch meats and cheeses and potato chips. As far as doing things, you can play your favorite CDs and just mingle with your guests. Tell them to look around and make themselves at home. Just relax and enjoy the day !!!

Answer 7

It will be easier on u to just have a hot/cold buffet some cocktails. Truly friends & family don't want u to go overboard. A buffet will allow for people to come a little later if they need. If u go with preparing a dinner u may want to use disposable plates & cups. Sometimes Hallmark stores have idea books u can look at.

Answer 8

Couple of suggestions here. One, have a big old fashioned spaghetti feed. Spaghetti is easy and all you have to serve with it is french bread and green salad. Set it up buffett style and peeps can serve themselves.

Or do a buffett with various lunchmeat and cheeses, rolls and potato salad. Again, everyone makes their own. Set out a couple of different chips/dips, too!

This all leaves you to be a great host or hostess, and you can enjoy the party, too, instead of slaving over a hot stove.

Party on and congrats on your new house!!!

Answer 9

I think you sohuld have a dinner party. It's more classy. You could watch TV, just give a tour, play board games like pictionary, and just all around play music and talk. Shrimp, A roast, King ranch chicken all would be great foods to serve. Just set out a bit of everthing, desserts (Pie, Cookies, Cake,...) Appetizers (Cocktails, Shrimp, Salsa with chips,...) and possibly alcoholic bevarages like wine or martinis would be classy too. If there's children serve Shirley Temples.
Good luck on your party, don't stress it, and HAVE A GOOD TIME!!

Answer 10

Have a buffet. finger foods, d'or Hourves, at least one or two hot items like chili, or lasagna, desserts, drinks, lots of water too. Use paper plates, plastic knives and forks, and paper cups, so you don't need to clean up much after wards. You can go to a dollar store for that. Cheese and crackers, deli meats, fruit platter, veggie platter, dessert platter(brownies, cookies, mini cakes, cup cakes etc...), pasta salads, meat balls, garden salads, wings, M&M Meat shops offers a lot of variety for finger foods, skewers, etc....Best thing to do for 25 people. Pop, juice, punch are really good beverages.
Have fun and GOOD LUCK!