How to Plan a House Warming Party

A housewarming is a way to thank those that helped you make it to your first home.

Planning a house warming party is made easy through preparation and planning. Cleaning, cooking and inviting guests are the primary responsibilities of the host or hosts. Organizing before the big day ensures you can relax, enjoy your guests and have plenty of time to show off your new home. New home owners also consider registering for gifts at a retail registry. This is typically done only for a first apartment and then, for a first home.

Things You'll Need

• Refreshment
• Invitations
• Housecleaning supplies
• Welcome banner
• Vase
• Candles
• Flowers
• Pen
• Paper
• Printer
• Tape
• Music (CDs, iPod)

Instructions

Preparation

1. Pick a date that works for all members of your household. Write down a list of all the people requiring invitations. Buy invitations suitable for a housewarming party. Search department and discount chains, craft stores and boutiques for the best prices and look for your party --- an image of a home or a party, or a simple "House Warming" text image are suitable.

2. Prepare your invitations by hand or by printing them. Write an RSVP date on the list for five days before the party, this ensures you can shop for a sufficient amount of food. If you are registering at a store, write this information on the invitation. If you do not want house warming gifts, write "best wishes only" on the invitation. Send the invitations by mail, one month before the party.

3. Open an Excel spreadsheet and keep track of all confirmed attendees for the party. Set up another column for tentative and decline invites. As people register for the party, ask for their email address and send them a map to your house.

4. The same day that you mail the invitations, go to a major department store if you noted that you were registered for gifts. Register for the items you need for your home. Ask the department store clerk responsible for registries about which items new home owners typically register for --- clerks generally know what kind of products varying homeowners need.

5. Buy or make a "welcome to our home" banner. You can buy one at a major department chain, a boutique or a craft store. Cutting white cloth and getting creative with paints is one idea. Or, you can use a kit from the craft store. Consider prices and how much time you have. This activity should be completed one week before the party.

Last-Minute Items

1. Two days before your guests arrive, fully clean your house. This means scrubbing floors, dusting, cleaning and pressing bed linens, and organizing clutter through the home. If you have moving boxes visible, remove them to the basement or to a storage area. Purchase food for your guests. Consider allergies when preparing meals, and ensure you have food for vegetarians or others with special dietary needs eaters. Store food in the refrigerator.

2. Walk through your house the day of the party. Arrange a makeshift bar and organize the food on attractive platters. Light candles. Place flowers in vases. Light your fireplace, if it is seasonally appropriate. Turn on music that is festive for the occasional --- classical music, jazz and other pleasing sounds are appropriate.

3. Put your welcome banner sign on your mantel or staircase. If you do not have either of these, use a visible location. Turn down music just before guests arrive. Place any pets in a basement, their kennel or any other area for their safety. Arriving and departing guests could let pets loose without knowing it.

References

• The Essential Guide for First-Time Home Owners: Maximizing Your Investment; Bray & Schroeder; 2008