There are few times in life that are as exciting as when you are first starting out together as newlyweds. With the excitement and glamour of the wedding and honeymoon behind you, it’s likely that you will be looking to settle down into your first home. All of these big life changes can be overwhelming but are equally deserving of a celebration. Purchasing your first home together as a couple is a huge was to cement your commitment and be able to visualize years of happiness together.
Once the dust has settled and most of your boxes have been unpacked and organised you should be thinking about throwing a housewarming party. Inviting your family, friends and new neighbors to come and visit your new home and help it start to feel like home. With all the details and stress that likely went into planning your wedding, it will be a nice change of pace to host a casual event to introduce your new home to your family.
You don’t have to go overboard with the planning, casual and laid back is just the right pace for a housewarming. Once you pick a date and have a general number of guests in mind it can be as easy as renting a bar or some tables and chairs and figuring out a simple menu. Take a look at some of these tips for planning a welcoming and fun Housewarming party.
Take Your Time
Moving into a new home can be a stressful and busy adventure. There are a million things to get done, unpack and start arranging in your new place just to feel like you are getting settled. You want for people to see your home as you want it not as though a tornado of boxes just went through. Take your time in getting settled and have the main areas of your home organized. A few weeks or a few months after you have moved in, you can start thinking about a party. Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Everyone that comes to the party already knows that you have just moved in so don’t feel pressured to have every corner organized.
Email Invitations
A general email invite is plenty and appropriate for the occasion. Set your party with an “open house” timetable to allow more people to attend when it is most convenient for them. There are housewarming gift registries available at most major stores, however, if you have just been married and received many gifts you may want to insist on a no gifts rule. Or, invite your guests to help you stock your new bar with bottles of spirits.
Decor
Keep decorations to a minimum and make sure to have the main parts of your home properly unpacked and organized. Remember to display or use many of your wedding gifts during the party. You want to make sure that your kitchen is functional and that your living room and dining area are tidy enough to allow guests. Set a laid back tone by piping in some low music for your guests.
Menu
When organizing a party where people are coming and going at different times, it’s best to keep your menu simple. Set up a bar area for guests to help themselves to punch, beer or wine and keep h’orderves and finger foods out around table for people to snack on. There is no need to serve a full sit-down meal if you are hosting a larger crowd.