What are some etiquette tips when hosting your first housewarming party?

Question

The bf & I are just about to finalize our first house purchase and some of my colleagues and friends have already started asking us when the house warming is.

a few questions:

1) Is it customary for guests to bring gifts?
2) If so, what kind of gifts are we expected to receive?
3) if they ask us what we would like as a gift, how much should they be expected to spend?
4) if they ask us what do we need, how big of an item can we ask for? or can we just ask for money/gift cards so we can buy what we need?
5) How much alcohol should we have on hand, especially when it comes to colleagues (including the boss)

Thanks

Answer 1

1) yes
2) Stuff you need for the house. You can do a registry
3) Whatever is in there budget.
4) Give list out so they can pick and choose by their self.
5) A lot if they drink like my folks, you might want to load up on the alcohol :)
Hope this helps

Answer 2

1]Yes.
2]Small, modest,household gifts, hostess gifts.
Name items that have a big price range, like wine glasses. They could come from the dollar store, Wal-mart, or Macy's. the choice of the giver.
3]If they ask what you want, you can say. But, keep the price down with friends and co-workers. And it depends on the kind of party you are having, having a as cheap as you can get by party, aim low. Spending some bucks, aim higher.
4[Yes, gift cards are the answer, name several stores from which you would like a card, for the giver's preferance and convenience. They can then choose the amount. If you like books, say bookstore. Kitchen gagets from the cooking store, or pick a low and a high end department store.
5]I'd have a full bar available for the party, shortcuts are to only serve wine, or have a signature cocktail, or theme cocktail

It's a housewarming gift. The gift is supposed to be something that warms the house, make it seem warm and cozy to guests, and the occupants.The traditional gift for a housewarming is bread, salt, wine, and a candle.[see the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" for details.} Also popular are homemade recipe files, small gifts of jams, jellies, things for the pantry.
Things to say would be small appliances. They can choose an $9 rice cooker from Wal-greens, or a big multispeed blender. Whatever you want to give us is the polite thing to say.

Answer 3

People often bring gifts- sometimes something simple like a candle or plant, if it's a coworker, or something more pricey and personal if it's a good friend or family member. If they ask, and it's a more casual friend, I'd personally just tell them that their company is the only thing that's necesary, since you can't know their budget. They'll likely still bring you something.
If a good friend or relative asks, be honest- what do you need? You know pretty much what they buy for b'days, etc to get a sense of how they'll want to spend. I can't say how much booze to have, but I'd suggest a variety- soft drinks too, since some people are diabetic or on meds and should avoid alcohol or sugary soda.

Answer 4

Though most people bring a housewarming gift, it is not required. This isn't a wedding shower. In all of our new homes, I have never had anyone ask what we would like. It just isn't done and it certainly would be in poor taste to tell someone what you want from them. If a gift is offered it is usually something small like monogram bath soaps, coffees, wine baskets, kitchen towels and such. No one is about to bring in some kitchen appliance for you. For drinks, it's usually two small glasses per person.

Answer 5

Traditionally, housewarming gifts are symbolic items, usually bread and salt, not actual things for the house. If your guests don't realize that, and ask you what you want, just tell them not to bring anything.

If you serve alcohol, obviously allow enough for at least one drink per guest. It's completely up to you if you want to risk more than that.