You bought a new house, moved into a new condo, or signed a new lease. Now what? You’re undoubtedly enjoying your new digs, but shouldn’t you break in your new space by inviting friends and family to see it too? Housewarming parties aren’t a new concept, but there are dos and don’ts for hosting them so your guests (and you) feel comfortable and welcome in your new home.
Do Send Out Invitations (and Request RSVPs!)
People love receiving mail. Sending invitations not only lets people know you’re hosting a party, but it also alerts them of your new address. Invitations are thoughtful and meaningful, and they provide guests with all the details for your upcoming event. Don’t assume people know you moved because of your social media posts or stories. Texts and emails may get lost in the shuffle, but invitations feel genuine and personal. It’s best to send invitations as early as possible so guests can put your party on their calendars and save the date before their schedules get too busy.
It’s also a good idea to request RSVPs — and to set a deadline for them. Knowing how many people are actually attending will help you plan.
Don’t Host In an Empty Home — Furniture, Please!
You have the keys to your new home, but you’re still sleeping on an air mattress or eating dinner on the couch. Maybe it’s best to wait until you have more furniture before throwing a housewarming party. You’re excited to show off your space, but it won’t be comfortable for your guests to stand around with nowhere to sit. It also helps guests visualize your new home and see how it all came together when you have the majority of your furniture and decor in place.
Do Invite Your New Neighbors
Making a positive first impression on your new neighbors is crucial, and your housewarming party is the perfect opportunity to start off on the right foot. Sending an invitation is a thoughtful gesture that can help break the ice and show you’re interested in being a real part of the community. Getting settled in your new home doesn’t just mean introducing your family and old friends to your new space — it also means getting to know the new (to you) people who surround your new space.
Don’t Invite Too Many Guests
Housewarming parties should be casual and comfortable, and inviting too many guests can create the opposite effect. Some people may feel unwelcome if they consider themselves just a number in your home. How many people you invite will depend on how much space you have. Just be sure to leave everyone more than enough elbow room. Housewarming parties should feel cozy and warm, but never crowded.
Do Give Your Guests a Home Tour
It’s easy to get sidetracked or lost in conversation when you’re hosting a housewarming party. Before you know it, you’re hugging guests goodbye before realizing you forgot to show them around your new home. Worse, they decided to go for a self-guided tour and opened up that closet you didn’t want the public to see. Housewarming parties are all about presenting your new home to your guests. Either be prepared to give tours or have a designated person do it on your behalf as guests arrive.
Don’t Go Overboard With Decorations
Your housewarming party is about showcasing your new home, so there’s no need to go overboard with extra decorations. You’ve just spent money on moving, new furniture, home decor, and probably a rental agreement or mortgage. Having decorations to celebrate your new home is unnecessary, and it can give the wrong impression to guests. A tasteful balloon on the mailbox, small floral arrangements, or cute table settings will do the trick.
Do Supply Snacks and Light Food Options
One word: food. Providing snacks is non-negotiables for throwing a party. You don’t need to prepare a five-course meal, but having light bites and snacks is recommended. Imagine walking into someone’s home, handing over a bottle of wine as a gift, and then standing there thinking, “What should we do now?” Like having games and home tours prepared, snacks, food, and beverages are standard to make sure you’re entertaining your guests and providing them with an enjoyable experience.
Don’t Host at Dinnertime — Unless You’re Serving Dinner
Food is a must, but a full dinner is not expected or required — unless, of course, you make the faux pas of inviting people for cocktails or light bites at a time they’d normally be eating a full meal. Housewarming parties need not be (and generally are not) dinner parties, so just set your schedule for the afternoon or later in the evening.
When is dinnertime, exactly? That depends a great deal on where you live and what your social circle is like, but avoiding the hours of 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. will keep you covered for most situations.
Do Serve Nonalcoholic Drinks Too
Not all of your guests may want booze at your housewarming party. For various reasons, some people may prefer water, tea, or soft drinks instead of themed drinks, cocktails, or other alcoholic beverages. Make sure everyone at your party feels welcome by providing both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.
Don’t Assume You’ll Get Gifts, Don’t Open Gifts in Front of Guests and Don’t Create a Registry
Watch out for this trio of gift-related faux pas! Although it’s traditional for guests to bring gifts to a housewarming party, etiquette dictates that you should never expect them outright or make guests feel obligated to give. If you’re hosting, express genuine gratitude for any presents you receive, but refrain from commenting on any lack of gifts. Don’t open gifts at the party. This isn’t a shower, and it will make any empty-handed guests feel awful. Speaking of this not being a shower: Although registries are common for some other gift-giving occasions (notably weddings and baby showers), a registry for a housewarming party is generally considered inappropriate. Focus on making your party a warm, welcoming gathering rather than a gift-focused event.
Of course, if you’re a guest at a housewarming party rather than the host, you should absolutely bring a gift. Is it logical to consider gifts mandatory when a guest and then pretend to forget that rule as a host? Perhaps not, but it is what etiquette requires.
Do Write Thank-You Notes for Gifts
Despite your polite insistence on not expecting gifts, you’re virtually certain to receive some. A prompt, personal, and handwritten thank-you note is the traditional and most polite response to such gifts.