Purchasing our first home; Planning a housewarming party, please tell me what I need to do?

Question

This is our first home and very excited. Now I need to plan a housewarming party. Don't know what to serve as food? Should children be involved? What is my job as a hostess of this fun event?? HELP.....

Answer 1

I say children should be invited. Cookies are a good thing to have there. Possibly some little sandwiches, something small and easy to eat.

Have coffee brewing, as well as 2 different kinds of soda, so people have an option. Some tea is also good.

The hostess usualy makes sure the guests have drinks. Just let the people know they can help themselves to food and drinks, but I would say a minute or two after someone arrives you should serve them thier first drink.

Also give them a tour, even if the guests come spread out and you have to give 20 tours. :)

Other than that, just hang out and talk to your guests.

Have fun!

Answer 2

First figure your guest list and then determine if it should be a kid friendly party.  I mean if most of the people have kids then you might want to lean that way but it certainly is fine to have one without.

Food should be finger food that can be eaten as people walk about mingling and looking at your beautiful new home.  Thing like wraps cut into pinwheels, crackers and cheese--you can go crazy at the deli getting different kinds, wine may be nice

As hostess you want to make sure and greet your guest as they arrive and once everyone is there mingle among them, introducing yourself and asking about them if you are inviting new neighbors, making sure everyone knows where the food is and keeping their drinks full.

Answer 3

It's not tacky at all unless you're expecting gifts.  You want to be proud of your new digs and show it to friends and family.  I did my own apartment warming and it was a blast.  I let my husband be the host while I was mostly in the kitchen, which was OK with me.  



Bread bowl dips

Shrimp

Crudites

Hummus and chips

Antipasto

Some basic liquors and mixers and some champagne and wine

Soda

Lemons and limes



And it was BYOBeer, so I didn't have to buy anyone's beer of preference.  Hit the freezer section if you want convenience and get those little mini-quiches, mini-tacos, spring rolls, and then make the dipping sauce.  And make sure to have a ton of paper towels on hand, and have a garbage can for the wine bottles and beer cans.  Otherwise you'll be taking trash out every half hour.  And don't forget to stock the TP.  I had that experience once at a friend's place.  And have a designated smoking area outside if anyone smokes, plus a cute little pail with sand for the butts so they don't toss them on the lawn or patio.  And if people will be outside, some chairs, a table, and those cheap citronella candles.



Have fun!

Answer 4

Zil is correct.  You do not throw yourself a shower.  A friend would do that for you at her house (like, it's supposed to be a surprise to you?).  Treat the party like an open house.  You should be expected to give everyone a tour through the house, or make sure they can wander around to see all the rooms, etc.  Don't ask for gifts and don't expect gifts.  You'd probably end up with nine hundred potted plants anyway.  

Serve up finger foods - check out the heat and eat frozen appetizers at Sam's Club or other warehouse grocery.

Answer 5

It really depends on your life style.  Your house warming should be a reflection of your home and family.  If you guys are casual and have kids, then keep the party geared in that direction.  Have a BBQ with salads and maybe some fun drinks.  If you have a more formal lifestyle then plan a dinner party with cocktails and leave the kids at home. (someone else's home) You really should just make a statement about how you want people to feel inside your home.  So whether it's Miller or Merlot, you make the call and of course your friends and family will love it because they love you, right?

Answer 6

you can throw your own party! make the invites say "Open House from 12:00 - 9:00" (or whatever times work best for you) so it will leave them the option of when to come and go so you don't have a house full of people all at one time! let them bring the kids of they want, maybe pick up some games or toys from the dollar store so they can be entertained while the adults have fun, like jump ropes, kites, sidewalk chalk, coloring books, bubbles, etc. make a big batch of punch for everyone and leave a bottle of booze so people can spike it if they want, skip a the soda or else just get a few 2 liters since cans get so wasted once people loose their can, get a bunch of cheap beer or maybe invest in a 1/4 barrel if you have a lot of beer drinkers. for food make stuff that can stay out for longer like- sloppy joes in a crock pot, veggie trays, taco dip (don't leave these out all day! make a few smaller ones that you can replenish all day), chips, pasta salad. try to make all the food ahead of time so you don't have to bother that day, make different trash baskets-one for garbage, one for recycles- and have them out in the open so people don't leave their stuff all over. your job as hostess is to show people around your new house and tell them all about your experiances buying it, refurnishing it and how much you love living in it! if you have any before pictures of it show them off too!

Answer 7

It's kind of tacky to throw yourself a housewarming party.  A friend or relative should do it for you.  

Here's some things you can serve:

finger sandwiches

cheese platter

fruit tray

vegetable tray

cheese ball

chips

dip