How to Throw an Unforgettable Home Warming Party

Why and How to Throw a Housewarming Party

What better way to say thanks to the people who helped you move home, or to get to know your new neighbours, or new work colleagues than to organise a housewarming party?

Let’s keep this as simple as possible, you have enough to be doing finalising your unpacking and organising your new home.

People will not expect a 5-course a-la-carte meal with a string quartet sitting in the corner of the room entertaining them anyway.

A themed or fancy dress housewarming party may make some guests uncomfortable, so save that for when you get to know your new neighbours better and you have more time to organise it properly.

Equally, homewarming party decorations are not really necessary, especially if you are hosting a housewarming party on a budget.

That said, a few balloons here and there will probably not break the bank and will add to the party mood.

But however you choose to celebrate your arrival in your new home, this Homewarming Party guide will ensure a great time is had by all.

You may also like to read: How Not to Get Overwhelmed Unpacking After Moving. Planning a housewarming party is a great motivator to get your moving boxes unpacked and your new home organised. In this guide, we offer some easy ways to motivate yourself to start unpacking and easy unpacking tips.

Plan Your Get to Know Your Neighbours Party

#1 Decide on a date for your new home party

2 to 3 weeks after you move in is ideal, most of the unpacking should be done and you will have had a chance to get your home clean and feeling homely.

Setting a party date is also a great incentive to get those last few jobs completed.

#2 Draw up an invitation list

The size of your guest list is obviously dependent upon the available space and your available budget, but should definitely include new neighbours and those friends who helped you move home.

#3 Send out your invitations

Send these at least a couple of weeks before the big event to give people time to organise any babysitters for example.

To save some money send the invites via social media or just knock on the neighbours’ doors.

Here are some free, downloadable, Home-warming party invitation templates. There are plenty more available online.

You may also like to read: The Ultimate Change of Address Checklist. Have you sorted out your change of address yet? If not, then we have prepared a comprehensive change of address checklist for you.

#4 Keep it informal

It is easier to mingle with your guests if you can freely circulate, and isn’t the whole point of the party to communicate – to say ‘thank you’ to some, and ‘hello, nice to meet you’ to others?

#5 Prepare your housewarming party menu

Finger food is so much easier to organize than a full-on, sit-down dinner party.

You can also distribute the food between different rooms so that as people mingle, and roam about your new home, they may discover different foods in each room.

Don’t forget to cater to any vegetarian guests.

You can find some great housewarming party buffet ideas in this link.

#6 Keep drinks simple

Beer, wine, and soft drinks should cover most people’s tastes, and if you are having a homewarming party on a budget, it is kinder to your purse too.

Have the drinks and food available in different areas of the room to avoid overcrowding in one spot.

Have enough tea and coffee available for the end of the night for those guests who would like it.

#7 Use disposable plates and utensils

In the interest of keeping things simple, and extra work for you to a minimum, consider using disposable plates and utensils.

There are some quite decorative ones available online, so they can still be stylish but functional. Don’t forget plenty of napkins too.

And at the end of the party it is a simple case of throwing them all in the bin – just make sure you have a good supply of rubbish bags available.

#8 Prepare a housewarming playlist

Prepare a playlist before your party and download it all onto one device.

That way you will not constantly be changing CDs or skipping ads on YouTube.

Not only will this ensure there are no breaks in the ambiance your music creates, but you will not have to keep constantly breaking off conversations to sort out more music.

Ensure your playlist is far longer than you anticipate the length of your party to be, you can then start the music early to get you in the party mood, and there will be no embarrassing silence come the end of the night (or early morning).

There is plenty of free home-warming party music available online, here is one such site.

You may also like to read: Home Moving Etiquette. Create the right impression with your new neighbours by following our tips for home moving etiquette.

Prepare Your Home

#1 Unpack your moving boxes

Nobody is expecting your home to be perfectly organised, but equally, you cannot host a party in a cardboard city either.

People will want to tour your new home, so each room should at least be presentable.

If you really cannot unpack all your boxes, assign a room or perhaps the garage to store them in until the party is finished.

Not sure what to do with all your empty moving boxes?

You may like to read: What to Do With Cardboard Boxes After Moving Home: Fun, practical, and useful ideas. If you have any boxes left that are not good enough to give away to other home movers then you will find some great ideas in this guide as to what to do with those boxes.

#2 Keep it clean

First impressions last, and your new neighbours will be looking to see what type of people have moved into the neighbourhood.

#3 Stock the bathroom

Make sure that there are enough toiletries and toilet paper in your bathroom, with nice fresh hand towels available for your guests.

#4 Accessorise your home

A few pictures hung on the walls will make your house a home.

There is no need to have your fragile and expensive ornaments on display, they may get broken, but a few knick-knacks here and there will make all the difference.

You may also like to read: How to Make Your New Home More Relaxing. In this guide, we share some simple ways to make your new home more inviting and relaxing.

#5 Have space to sit

Even if your new settee has not been delivered yet, or you have not had time to assemble all your furniture, no problem.

Perhaps assign one room for those who want to lounge in chairs and keep the other rooms more spartan so that people can mingle freely.

Having the food and drinks on the work surface in the kitchen will free up floor space, rather than on coffee tables if that is an issue.

If you have wallpaper pasting tables, they make great buffet tables and are quick and easy to erect.

#6 Open up more space

Keep the patio or terrace doors open to give you more space.

People can then travel freely into the garden or onto the balcony if the weather allows.

#7 Keep your pets safe

Your pets have been subject to a lot of distress during the house move, and a house full of new people will not help.

You may want to consider putting your pets in the kennels for the night.

Some people may be allergic to pets or just dislike animals, equally, your pet may escape with the comings and goings, so it is better to be safe than sorry.

You may also like to read: How to Dog-Proof Your New Home. In this guide, we share comprehensive tips on how to make your new home safe for your dog

How to be the Perfect House Warming Party Host

#1 Make an effort with your appearance

There is no need to wear your tiara or top hat and tails, but taking the time to be presentable will make you feel better after weeks in your working clothes, and will give a good impression to your new friends.

#2 Meet and greet

Make yourself and your family available when new guests arrive.

Offer your new guests a welcoming drink and ensure they know where they can refill their glasses.

If you do not want people smoking in your home designate an outdoor area for smokers, and politely inform your guests where that area is.

Make sure there are enough ashtrays available, and a metal container to empty the ashtrays into.

You may also like to read: Fire Safety in Your Home. One of the first things to do in your new home is ensure that your family is protected from fire hazards. In this guide, we share some useful tips about fire prevention in the home.

#3 Point out the essentials

Take a quick detour from the fun to show your guests where the bathroom, food, and drink are.

Also, ensure they know where their coats will be kept if the weather dictates that they wear one.

#4 Mingle

The advantage of a buffet-style party is that you can freely move around to chat with your guests.

Take the time to talk to everyone and make them all feel that you are pleased that they could attend.

#5 Group Tours

Most of the guests will be itching to snoop around your new home.

Take groups of guests on the grand tour rather than individuals, it will take you away from your other guests for too long doing individual tours.

Use the tours to gain some local knowledge from your new neighbours – reliable tradesmen, local DIY stores, and even some fresh ideas on home layout or design.

#6 Share the night

How about taking some photos, or streaming a video, and posting them live online so that friends who could not make the party can share the fun?

It will also be a reminder of what a great time everybody had in your new home.

#7 Say goodbye

Make yourself available to thank your guests for coming as they leave.

Having trouble getting your guests to leave or want to astound them?

Then you may like to read: How to Choose the Right Moving Boxes. Bore or transfix them with your knowledge of cardboard box trivia which can be found at the end of this article.

Tips for Cleaning up After a Housewarming Party

#1 Make a start on the big clear-up

Cleaning up after a party is never fun.

No matter how late the party ends, clear at least one room before going to bed, there is nothing worse than waking up to a room full of half-eaten food, and empty plates strewn everywhere.

Having at least one room cleared will give you somewhere clean for your post-party breakfast before you tackle cleaning the rest of your home.

#2 Stock up on cleaning products

Have a supply of bin bags, wet wipes, kitchen towels, and multi-purpose sprays available for the big clean-up.

#3 Be safe

Make sure that any ashtrays are safely outside your home and have been emptied into a metal container to prevent a fire before going to bed.

#4 Say thanks for coming

Take the time to thank everyone for attending once again via social media or a thank you note through their door the next day.

#5 Chill out

Then sit back, relax, review your photos from the night, and take some time to bask in the warm glow that a great evening will have given you.

You may also like to read: How to Make Friends in Your New Neighbourhood. In this guide, we offer more great tips on how to get to know your new neighbours.

This will be the first of many special memories in your new home, enjoy every moment.

And why not tell us how your homewarming party went, your housewarming party ideas, and any housewarming event tips for other new home movers in the comments box below?