Ok so (we) just got our first house and everyone keeps bugging me about having a house warming party. As I am the first person in my family to have ever gotten a house, I am very unfamiliar with this process. Do I cater to friends, family etc? Is it customary to set up a gift registry somewhere? What is the standard expectation of me by my friends who would be attending, and do I need to expect anything from my friends? Any examples of customary dishes served or activities that take place would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
2007-02-23 08:49:23 · 7 answers · asked by greenbuddha03 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
You'll want to serve finger foods and appetitisers through the whole event, with maybe a barbeque towards the end of the evening for close friends and family that decide to stay. The idea is that the foods should be portable, fulfilling (without being filling) and clever. Anything above and beyond chips & soda will really wow the crowd.
Be prepared to have a lot of traffic through your house, and you and/or whomever owns the house with you should be giving tours. Your guests are not coming over to just *see* your new home but rather to be *shown* your new home BY YOU!
Plan for a weekend but try to avoid holiday weekends, because it puts the onus on the guest to not have other plans for the holiday weekend. Start the official party in the middle of the afternoon, but always let people know it's an open house anytime before that in case they wanted to just drop in for a quick peek because they've got other plans. ALWAYS HAVE A RAINDATE PICKED. Open houses on rainy days never turn out right because of everyone coming in and out of your house, and inclimate weather traps them into the house which will always make it seem smaller than it really is.
There's no definitive timeline for when you have to have your housewarming party, if you're not ready, kindly tell them that you're still settling in and that you want to make sure everything is in order before you invite guests over. Obviously showing your house full of boxes isn't going to go over very well.
Although...having a "unpacking" or "empty house" party can always be fun in the mean time!! ;-P
Now, if you want to get into the finer details...
Invitation cards are always fun when they have a spring or homey look and feel to them, watering-cans, flowers, maybe even a sketch of a money-pit house with a construction motiff could be fun if your in the process of repairs/additions/etc. when having the party.
Personally, i think the registering thing is a little tacky, but it's definately becoming more and more popular these days to do so. Technically the host is supposed to never expect a gift and the guest is always supposed to bring one. I think this is why people have given up and just registered for it anyways. ::shrug::
2007-02-23 09:21:22 · answer #1 · answered by arjo_reich 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A house warming party should be an informal fun way to show off you new house to your friends and family if you wish. You can do a pot luck, or just have appetizers and snacks.
Most people will bring small gifts such as plants and wine and kitchen items. There should be no expectations for gifts, do not register as many will think this is tacky and feel obligated to buy you an expensive gift.
Just think of it as a party and fave fun!
2007-02-23 09:23:06 · answer #2 · answered by cooperdog 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, congratulations on your new house! You can invite anyone you want to the housewarming party - friends, family, new neighbors, etc. It all depends on the atmosphere you want for your party. If you are younger, you may want your family to come early and your friends to stay later. While people may bring gifts to a housewarming, they are not expected like at a bridal shower so no gift registry is warranted. Be sure to send thank you notes for anything you do receive. In turn, there are no real expectations for yourself, just whatever level of hospitality you wish to provide (i.e. food and drinks). If you want to ask people to help with food or drink, send out invitations for a "pot luck" or ask people to "B.Y.O.B.".
2007-02-23 08:58:26 · answer #3 · answered by pharmgrl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A housewarming party is thrown by others-friends, family, co-workers etc and not by the new home owner. It is however held in your new home so that others may see it. You are not responsible for anything other than setting the date that is most convenient for you.
We just purchases our first home and live too far away for family to attend at my new house so we are having a "Lowe's Party" where everyone buys us a gift card to Lowe's to go toward purchases such as a refrigerator, remodeling, etc.
Best wishes in your new home!
2007-02-23 08:56:37 · answer #4 · answered by Sylvia S 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sweetsdecoratives.com
2007-02-23 08:56:00 · answer #5 · answered by tanyahurt76 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congrats on the new digs..
Your obligations depend on where you live NY is different than CA, Midwest or south
2007-02-23 08:58:43 · answer #6 · answered by Bomber 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes
2007-02-23 09:17:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋