Any fun housewarming party ideas?

Question

We are moving into a new home in October! I want to have a big housewarming party- possibly Thanksgiving weekend? Any unique ideas? It will be chilly here in the NY area but I hope people will go outside on our huge deck to play beer pong and talk/smoke and play horseshoes in the backyard-Any food or theme ideas?

Answer 1

We had a Margaritaville party last September at our house. We live in Wyoming and the weather is unpredictable that time of year, it turned off cold and windy, thank goodness for the firepit! I got on line and found margarita recipes, and pictures for the invitations. We had been to Margaritaville in Vegas the year before so had some posters for decoration and I found a couple of cheesy parrot lamps at a local discount store. Otherwise we had bar-b-que beef, hamburgers, baked beans, potato salad, veggie trays, chips, and lots........ of tequila.

Answer 2

Try throwing a housewarming shower. They were the 'in' thing when we lived in the south. They had themes like 'kitchen' or 'bath' or 'grocery' and then the games matched the theme. They were a lot of fun. If it is at thanksgiving time and you are giving the party yourself, try a little kindness idea and you give a gift to everyone that shows up instead of them bringing one. We did that when we moved back to Michigan. Pumpkin ideas are great. Have a cutting/decorating the pumpkin contest. Get some of the tiny pie pumpkins so that each person has just a small one to work with. Those can be done outdoors so that the mess won't get into the house. You can just paint them as well. Everyone has to vote on a favorite pumpkin and not their own. One with the most votes wins. Ties are revoted on. You can play pumpkin toss as well with a sort of heavy, medium large pumpkin. Form two lines opposite each other of married couples or dating couples so that your partner is across from you. Everytime you throw the pumpkin you take a foot sized step backwards. The last couple that still haven't dropped the pumpkin is the winner. They get to keep their pumpkin. If you have leaves in your yard from trees, do not rake them. Have a race. The one that can collect the most leaves from the ground is the winner. Catch to this game is: you can only pick one leaf up at a time and you can only use your hands to hold and carry the leaves. Winner can also win a pumpkin or a pretty autumn decoration of gords and indian corn, etc. With leaves you can also have relays. Get two wooden baskets like apples are purchesed from the farmers market in. Rake the leaves into two piles at one end of the yard and put the two baskets at the other end. Make two teams. You can either have them individually walk in rotation order with a handfull of leaves and place them in the basket or you can make them all pass the leaves to each other in a line and the end person has to walk to the basket and put the leaves in it and then head down to the other end where the pile of leaves are so that each person takes turns at each end of the line. they are not allowed to squish the leaves in their hands while carrying them. Object is to be the first team with a full basket of leaves that are just piled on each other and not squished down. If you play indoors, you can improvise some shower games. Instead of using clothes pins and diapers on the closeline that two people are holding, pin autumn leaves, either the fake ones or the real ones. One hand must remain behind your back and you need to use the straight clothes pins and not the clamp ones. Makes it harder to do it. Each person has a set time to try, like 30 seconds or 1 minute. Best one gets the prise which could be some homemade pumpkin bread to take home. Could have a pie eating or pumpkin bread eating contest too if you want to make up some of those items in advance or buy a good amount from the store. This could be a men's only contest around the kitchen or dining table if you are indoors. Be sure to use lots of whip cream if you use the pies or a lot of icing on the bread if you use the bread. Another shower game is to unscramble words only for your party, use a thanksgiving and autumn theme: (evsela = leaves). You can include some housewarming too like (ipsfehrdni = friendship). You can do just about anything at a party. The opject is not to be self conscious about your ideas and planning themes, and than you can get anyone to participate. When you like it, they will like it because they will follow your lead. You want to create a fun time and make things happen that are fun memories to look back on and cherish.

Answer 3

i highly recommend inviting a few freidns over that afternoon to help with last minute cleaning, shopping, and keeping yuou entertained. also avoids the uncomfortable 'the guy i barely know from work showed up an hour early and now i have to entertain him alone" moment. also highly recommend being ready early so you can relax and have a drink before people arrive. music is key. have a fun mix of songs that will keep people entertained and the mood up. if you are low on tunes have friends bring CDs or their ipods. a big pan of lasagne with garlic bread and a bowl of salad for those that are really hungry - and finger foods for the rest. (also will make the house smell great!) A mix of dips, cheeses, crackers, toasts, veggies. Some brownies and cookies for dessert. save yourself time and buy stuff from the store and save the cooking for your favorite recipes! Have a few bottles of wine, but you'll probably get a bunch for gifts. I was left with more wine than I bought after my housewarming. you could also make a signature drink in bulk if you have a favorite. cosmos, sangria, mulled wine, etc. as far as games go - i vote keep it simple and save the games for the late night crowd. planned games for large groups can go real wrong and kill a mood. unless its a drinking game kind of party... but thats a whole other question.

Answer 4

A barbecue is always a winner and choose a theme such as hobo's that people can dress up as and put up a huge sign saying " Drinks are on the house but bring your own ladder"