You finally did it: You bought that new house you’ve been dreaming of. After you close escrow and settle in, celebrate this new beginning with your nearest and dearest by hosting a housewarming party. Make it a memorable fête by following some of these tried-and-true tips:
Invite
Set the tone of your party with a unique invitation that clearly lists the party details. Include the formality of the event, as well as what type of food and drink will be served. While emailed invitations through websites like Evite and Paperless Post are popular, a custom-printed invite mailed the old-fashioned way is sure to get guests’ attention.
Theme
Cater to the design of your home and choose a theme that showcases your favorite details. If it’s all about the backyard, choose an afternoon BBQ or garden party for the theme. If the kitchen is to die for, host a more intimate affair like a wine and cheese tasting party held in the kitchen.
Décor
Skip the run-of-the-mill party store decorations and let your interior design shine. The idea is to show off your home in its pure form. Make sure to put the finishing touches on each room well in advance to avoid rushing crucial design decisions. Hang artwork and framed photos and add personal touches with keepsakes and monogrammed accents. Enhance the ambiance of each room by strategically placing flameless LED candles inside. Create your own fresh floral arrangements to match each room for an affordable indulgence.
Hang strings of lights outside to illuminate the backyard and help the party flow outdoors when the sun goes down. Set up a living area in the backyard for guests to relax. Create the ultimate indoor/outdoor living setup by adding an outdoor TV and surround sound speakers. Splurge on a new outdoor couch and plush chairs topped with plenty of pillows.
Music
Create a playlist on iTunes or Spotify that’s appropriate for the theme of your party. If throwing a classy cocktail party, make a classic jazz vocal blend. If planning an afternoon BBQ, feature an all-American playlist complete with Hank Williams Jr. If you run out of time to make a playlist, the genre-specific music channels on cable TV are an effortless option with just enough variety.
Food & Drink
Catering is the ideal option so you can socialize with your guests without stressing about the food. But if catering is out of the question, plan ahead and choose hors d’oeuvres that can be prepared a few hours ahead of time so you have plenty of time to clean up before the guests arrive. Put a family member in charge of keeping the serving platters stocked so you don’t have to be interrupted during your tours and mingling. Spread food on tables throughout the gathering areas — a tray of grilled scallops wrapped in prosciutto on the breakfast room table and taleggio flatbread on the sofa table. This will have guests covering all grounds and happily mingling.
When it comes to drinks, consider the preferences of your guests. Provide wine, beer, tea and water, as well as a specialty cocktail like a mojito or a margarita. If hosting a early affair, like a weekend brunch, a mimosa or Bloody Mary bar are great DIY options.
