How to Host a Housewarming Party

Housewarming parties are a good way to let old friends see your new home and meet new people in the area. You don't have to wait until you are completely unpacked to have a housewarming party. People understand that it takes a while to get settled in, but you will want to have most of your things organized and put together. Housewarming parties are generally informal events and simple to plan so here are a few tips on how to make it go smoothly.

• Make sure there are very good directions on the invitations, or a map. Especially if a lot of old friends are coming to the party, because they probably do not know where the house is.

• Usually housewarmings are in an open house style. This means that there is a range of time when guests can drop by and leave whenever they need to. This is often the best way to go, especially since many people are very busy and this gives them the opportunity to come at their convenience.

• Tours of the new home are usually the main attraction of a housewarming party. Make sure that there is someone to answer the door and make guests feel comfortable and another person to take people on tours.

• If your housewarming party is to show off renovations made to the home, then you may want to post before pictures throughout the areas where you renovated. Then guests can really see how much it has changed.

• Make sure you've cleaned all of the rooms since the house is the main attraction there will be people seeing every room.

• Finger foods are the best choice for housewarming parties, since people will be walking around the house. If you are concerned about spills make sure the food is something that will not stain.

• People often bring gifts to housewarming parties. If you do not want gifts make sure to inform your guests on the invitations.

• Decorating for a housewarming party is not needed, since your guests are there to see what your house looks like. Decorations will simply take away from the way your home usually looks.

• Nametags are a good idea especially if there will be a lot of people that don't know each other. You may also want to have each person put their relationship to the new homeowner such as "neighbor, parent, friend etc."