Tips for throwing a great housewarming party
Throwing a housewarming is the perfect way to show off your new abode, meet neighbours and celebrate a new phase in style.
Yes, it’s a bit of a hard work, but, then like Henry Van Dyke says,
“Every house where love abides,
And friendship is a guest,
Is surely home, and home sweet home,
For there the heart can rest.”
It’s bringing together long forgotten friends, putting together a treat that is truly gawk-worthy and creating a beautiful evening where lights, flavours, music and more come together to create a beautiful painting around your home. From a quick checklist to planning your menu to weaving in a theme and party games, it’s all in here.
Top tips to get the housewarming party rolling
Set a budget for the party: The budget should be done first and rest of the party is arranged depends on your budget. Decide what kind of party you want to have. Everything from an informal to a formal sit-down dinner is appropriate. Let your budget make that decision for you. And based on the kind of party, choose a menu. If hiring a caterer is not an option and if your party is informal, then work out the option of the guests bringing food potluck.
Make the guest list: Immediately after you have fixed on a budget, bring out your pad and make a guest list – Close friends, family and new neighbours – if the object is a getting-to-know-you.
Send out invitations : Make them interesting and quirky. And give directions – map out the local roads by driving them yourself. The more details you can include, the better. Make a checklist of everything that needs to be done before the party and keep track of RSVPs so you know how many guests will be coming.
Making the first impression: So, your house is not camera ready, but you still want to host a party
Clear the clutter and ensure that your gorgeous abode lets the guests breathe. If you have cartons lying around, cover them up with colored stoles or tie up artistically with a sari. Or simply stack them with coffee table books, a bowl of popcorn and some cute napkins.So your curtains aren’t in place. Fret not…bring out your jewellery and hang it up on your curtain rods.
Makes an interesting style statement!
Aesthetic appeal: Dot the home with little stools, pillows or dhurries. If your furniture is yet to fall in place, artistically placed cushions and rugs would add the perfect drama to your abode. If your housewarming is not a formal affair, try to keep the sofa away from the main area.
Cluster chairs, benches and ottomans around the room so guests are less likely to congregate in one area.
Interesting art deco objects could work in the entrance. Fairy lights and tea light candles cast a surreal glow to the entryway.
Arresting, but simple floral arrangements always work wonders.
Fragrant, white candles strewn about your home are evocative, warm and welcoming. Music, ambient lighting, and an allotment of seating areas make for a great party. Again, keep it simple.
Your friends are coming over to see you and your abode, not some ice sculpture. Keep the decor simple and don’t bring out your expensive rugs and silk cushion covers. A spill here and there would really be a damper.
It’s all about the lights: Harsh lights are the biggest turn off when it comes to a party. Get the lamps on, have them on dimmers or switch out the bulbs for a lower wattage.
Be A Tour Guide: There’s nothing better than showing off your new abode and if you are worried about being too busy playing host/hostess to walk your family/friends around your new home, ask a close friend or relative to help you out for the evening.
What’s the weatherman saying: Be sure to read the weather forecast before the day of the party – is it supposed to rain? If so, keep mats by the doors to ensure guests aren’t leaving muddy footprints all over the brand new carpet, or simply request that guests leave their shoes at the door when they enter your place.
Party proof your abode: Especially in a small space where people will be bumping into furniture, etc. move the breakables. Keep one table clear to store and display your guests’ gifts as they arrive. An eclectic and punchy party playlist invites conversation and encourages relaxation. Leave a guest book by the front door, and encourage everyone to leave you little bits of wisdom before they leave. You just may get lucky by getting a name or two of a good contractor for your new abode.
Make sure you have plenty of spots for people to perch, lean and sit. Set out little bowls of delectable treats around the house, and to make guests truly feel at home, never run out of food, drinks or music. Don’t stress over fancy or expensive decorations; instead, stick with something simple and inexpensive like fresh flowers in a few of the rooms and a few snazzy art décor pieces which can be found in flea market at a good bargain.
Painters buckets to spare: Don’t throw them out. These interesting looking buckets work well as dramatic elements to dot your home. A few sprigs of rosemary and sage does the trick. To add a dash of color, spring up some colored flowers.
Think of it less as a “party” and more of a friendly get-together. It’s your party, so don’t overdo it. Your guests are aware that you’ve just moved into a new place and you are getting a feel of it.
Instant decorating:
Instant Vases: If freshly coated walls have left you with extra paint, use it to turn glass jars into DIY vases. A day or two before the party, coat the rims of the jars with paint, then let them dry outside. By party time, you’ll be more than prepared for the bouquets your guests are bound to bring.
Instant Tabletops: Don’t shove boxes into another room — turn them into tables. Arrange like-size boxes about 3 feet high (two medium moving boxes should do it) to create a makeshift buffet table or cocktail “bar.” Use shorter boxes for end tables. Hide your handiwork with tablecloths or spare sheets.
Instant Seating: Fill garbage bags halfway with packing peanuts, then knot the tops of the bags. Place on the floor knot side down for DIY “bean”-bag chairs.
Attractive floral arrangements: Use the attractive gift bags as decorative vase covers. Place a water-filled vase inside the bag, then trim the stems to match the bags height.
Quick party tips
Give a style tip – Mention how formally (or informally) you’ll be dressing, so invitees can follow suit. Most people feel at ease when they fit in with the rest of the room.
Show some enthusiasm – The name exchange won’t give strangers much to work with. Tip them off to something they might have in common, too.
Pump up the jams – If you notice guests bopping to the music, try turning the volume up ever so slightly. It will often inspire them to break into full dance.
Say something, well, interesting – Have one or two conversation starters in mind in case there’s a lull. Coming up short? Use your surroundings for inspiration.
Plan your housewarming menu
Smart food: Yes, the reason we say smart is because it is a party where you need to be smart about the food. Food can get messy and you don’t want a house that smells of curry paste or fried oil. And attempting to test new recipes on unsuspecting and undeserving friends is the equivalent of murder/suicide. Don’t do it.
Plan your housewarming party menu based on how much energy and help you have. If there’s little time for prep, buy pre-made salads. If you can’t make enough appetizers due to the size of your guest list, go with frozen gourmet options or a variety of veggies and dips.
Always offer up selections that you can make 1-2 days prior to the event. Or if you are planning a full-fledged meal – then work around the menu in such a way that the food can be prepared beforehand and does not require your supervision at the last moment.
Balance your menu like this: nibbles like nuts, crackers and cheese for arriving guests; hot appetizers like mini samosas; nachos with interesting dips and main dishes like a biryani and raita; cold salads; and an assortment of spectacular desserts. Keep the menu simple.
Miniature sized snacks and sandwiches, finger foods such as chips and dip, cookies, sliced fresh vegetables and fruits make it easier on your guests and will help keep the floors and furniture free of grimy spills.
Give yourself some free time. It’s your housewarming! Plan to serve hot foods over a brief period
Use cute throwaway plates and spoons for a casual menu.
In vogue are the eco – friendly plates and if you want to stretch your budget, reach out to the banana bark plates. Appropriate glasses and stemware complement an elegant buffet but require more caution and clean up.
Prepare the food the day of the party. Make sure the bar is stocked and that you have enough ice. Organize serving pieces and platters as necessary.
Divide each appetizer among various serving pieces so partygoers can try them all from wherever they’re seated.
Dish out napkins – For cocktail or impromptu parties, skip plates and set out plenty of napkins. Use lasting cloth ones or the lunch-size paper kind.
Be sure to have soft drinks for people who don’t drink alcoholic beverages.
Talk about this conversation starter that we chanced upon – a table of oreo cookies with a sparkler at the top. Easy to make and easy on your pocket!
Party themes
If there are rooms to be painted or a garden that badly needs planting, plan the party around getting that task done. Have a garden party where each guest brings a plant, and actually plants it.
We also loved the idea where you can have your guests make abstract paintings, which you can then hang around the house.
Four Party Games that we absolutely fell in love with:
1. Scavenger Hunt
If you’ve got some unique or quirky décor items around your house, send guests on a treasure hunt to find them. Pick a few smaller, not easily seen things and write a few clues that aren’t obvious but not impossible to figure out. Have guests form teams and go find those items. The first team to find all the items wins. To make things more interesting, you can offer a prize like a special treat or favour for each member of the team.
2. “Telephone” Tour
If you liked playing “Telephone” as a kid, you’ll like this housewarming game idea. When your first guest arrives, give her the grand tour. Be sure to provide a short comment about each room in the house: your décor plans, what it will be used for, what you like about, etc. When the next guest arrives, the first guest will give them the tour and repeat what they’ve heard, and so on. At the end, the last guest to arrive relates to the group what she was told. This is a good way to warm people up and get them laughing.
3. Design-A-Room
Let your guests do some actual decorating for you. Put out objects that have yet to find a home. Let teams pick a room, some accessories and let them do what they will. You may not like everything they do, but you may get some great ideas—and your guests will have fun sharing their point of view.
4. Personalized Art
Throwing an intimate housewarming party? Give a small square canvas to each guest (make sure they’ve been primed first). Set out some paint—choose colors that will go with your room—and let guests paint something just for you. Hang the panels together for a unique and personal work of art. You can also do this with fabric or decorative paper if you prefer. A variation on this theme is to offer simple wooden picture frames with photos of you all together and let your friends personalize the frames with paint and other crafts.
Essentials for putting together your party invitations
- A digital camera to make invitations and take photographs of the party.
- Make suggestions for optional gifts, not demands for mandatory ones when inviting your guests to make everyone feel welcome.
- Make postcard invitations using photos of the new house.
- Combine the housewarming party with celebrations like a Diwali or a birthday party.
