House warming party??

Question

ok we are buying our first home and moving in a week everyone keeps saying we should have a house warming party...what exactly is it..what do you do and who should host it? I mean are we supposed to invite people to our new home ourselves and make them feel like they have to get us a gift...or does someone else host it

Answer 1

I have never heard of someone else hosting a housewarming party for the new homeowner -- I think you just invite your friends over yourself and have the party at your new place. I am assuming that you don't want gifts based on the way you phrased your question, so here is an idea. My friend invited me to her housewarming party 2 weeks ago, and I thought she handled it great -- She sent the invitation and said, "No gifts please -- Just come help us celebrate our new home."  So if you don't want gifts, you could say something like that. Good luck, and congrats on your new place.

Answer 2

You basically through a party for yourself- do the planning, inviting, food/drinks and hosting.  The average person has been to a house warming party before, so it's no big deal that a gift is pretty much expected, but completely optional.  Most people will show up with a bottle of wine, a plant, candles or some other small token gift to make your new house more home-y for you.  Have fun!