Before unpacking the final cardboard box in your Phoenix, AZ home or your Boston, MA apartment, the excitement of showing off the new space buzzes through your mind. Bringing close friends and family together for a housewarming party allows you to proudly display your new residence and all the bells and whistles that come with it.
Whether you’re moving for the first or tenth time, this Redfin article unveils five simple steps for throwing the ultimate housewarming party. From brainstorming and considering how big the extravaganza will be to ensuring every guest feels welcomed in the midst of settling in, we’ve got you covered. Now, let’s get started.
1. Consider these details when planning
Before hosting a housewarming party, several decisions need to be made well in advance of the big day.
Chelsy Ferguson, owner and lead planner for The Gathering Co., suggests “charting realistic expectations and doing your best to stick with them.” She recommends deciding on the size of the event, if you’re settled enough after the move, if the event will take place indoors or outdoors, and how much time and money you want to invest in the occasion. Considering these components, you can appropriately budget your food and beverage costs and other items affiliated with the individual guest headcount.
Walkrich Signature Events also shares the importance of “offering a good selection of food, appetizers, and drinks,” which will “wow” your guests.
Once these details have been ironed out, Shellie Reid-Warner, with rel(EVENT) Event Design and Planning, suggests “creating a fun invitation” on easy-to-navigate programs such as Canva with all the details laid out, including an “RSVP by” date.
2. Find ways to instill convenience and reduce stress
Preceding throwing your housewarming party, you’ll have endured a move that likely consisted of packing and unpacking boxes, managing movers, signing extensive contracts, and much more.
Your housewarming party should finally be a moment to breathe and celebrate with those who matter most to you. Therefore, Olivia Niemeyer with Easton Events recommends “opting for familiar dishes to reduce stress.” Cooking a meal you have mastered will offer a level of comfort that allows you to manage your party while also joining in on the fun.
3. Set a welcoming ambiance
Creating the right atmosphere is key to making your housewarming party a memorable event for all your guests.
Niemeyer adds to integrate ambient lighting, whether through candles, your newly displayed floor lamps, or a dimmable chandelier. She suggests that the mood of your housewarming party should “foster lively conversations and lasting memories.” If you’re looking for a more controlled lighting experience, Cheap Event Lighting Rental recommends “exploring color wash lights, pin spot lights, uplights, or wall lights to set the mood.”
4. Prepare to showcase and highlight features in your home
From the primary bedroom with a walk-in closet to your newly decorated office, your guests are here to see what you’ve created, and you should be excited to show it off.
Laura Heuvelman with Colvin House Events shares how her team believes “it’s important to ensure your guests see everything that makes your new space special.” For homeowners who haven’t or are still planning on making updates to the property, She suggests “creating mood boards of your plans that guests can view during the party.”
Another great way to highlight your home’s features is to utilize them to their full extent. Allison Newton with Allison Event Design suggests “highlight features such as a swimming pool with fun floats or if your home has an incredible wine, offer a simple wine tasting for your guests.”
If you have a kitchen with an expansive island, Kristen and Nicole from Well-Dressed Events recommend “creating an intricate grazing table with assorted meats, cheeses, and other bite-sized snacks to highlight the space.”
5. Make the event unique to the household personality
Regardless of how many guests you invite, what food you decide to cook, or what features your home does or doesn’t have, the housewarming party should express your personality and display your achievement.
When thinking about how to throw the perfect housewarming party, Shannon Combs, owner and event coordinator with Lux Events in Newport News, VA, suggests incorporating a “unique activity such as a murder mystery or a scavenger hunt.” San Diego Sound and Lighting Rental shares that you can also introduce various types of music in different rooms to set different moods throughout the house.
Kirin White, Founder of TLC Event Design & Coordination and events manager for Reinstein Ranch, shares that “there truly is no right or wrong way to celebrate.”
This post first appeared on Redfin.com. To see the original, click here.