After a long journey of looking at houses, signing documents, and multiple calls with your real estate agent, you’ve finally found and moved into your new home! Now, it’s time to show off your home, and all of your hard work, with a housewarming party!
A housewarming party is an excuse to invite friends and family, maybe some that you haven’t seen in a while, to your new home and show it off a little. Your guests will be happy for you and excited to see where you will be starting a new chapter of your life.
Picking a Date
Moving into a new home can be a little hectic. Don’t stress about hosting your housewarming party immediately after moving in. Give yourself some time to unpack and set up your new home. This may take a few weeks, maybe even a couple of months. Get to know your new home.
Once you have settled in and made the house feel like home, at least in the main areas (i.e. the kitchen and living room) you’re ready to start planning your housewarming party!
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Your guest list is one of the most important aspects of hosting a housewarming party. The people that you put in a room will affect the atmosphere and how well your party goes. Only invite people you really want to see, friends who helped you move, and of course, your real estate agent.
If you have relocated to a new area, some friends and family may not be able to attend your housewarming party, so invite new coworkers and neighbors that you have become friendly with. Don’t worry, your friends and family will see your new home eventually!
Send out invitations to your guests at least two weeks before your party and ask them to RSVP so you know how much food and drinks you need.
Food and Drinks
The food you serve will set the tone of your party. Are you looking for something casual where people can mingle all night, or something more formal where people sit down to eat? If you decide on making it a dinner party, make sure to have different courses, which include a salad, the main meal, and dessert.
For a more casual party, put out finger food and appetizers. This will allow people to move around your home freely. They can talk to people and check out different rooms throughout the night. This tends to be a less stressful and more comfortable atmosphere for people you do not know extremely well.
Tours of Your New Home
Instead of giving each guest an individual tour, take small groups of 4 or 5 guests on a tour of your new home. As your guests arrive, greet them, offer them a drink, and give a tour so you don’t miss someone.
Don’t fret if you have not unpacked and perfected every room in your new home. Your guests will understand the struggle of unpacking a whole house. This is a great opportunity to ask your guests for suggestions on where to place furniture, how to decorate, or how to use a certain room. All ideas should be welcome!
Music
No party is complete without a killer playlist. Music is a key factor to setting the mood for a party. If you’re looking for something more relaxed and a little formal, play some jazz music or instrumental. If you want to take it up a notch and maybe have some people getting into the rhythm, play some hot tracks at the moment.
Make sure to use a speaker that is loud enough for your guests to hear clearly. You don’t want a speaker with any static. A Bluetooth speaker is preferred since you’ll probably be walking around the party with your phone.
Prep the Bathroom
Nobody likes to be left in a bathroom without any toilet paper. Make sure to stock up on toilet paper, soap, and towels for your guests. Clean the bathroom and make it look nice. If you really want to go all out, place some hand cream, Band-Aids, perfumes, and mints on the sink counter to really impress your guests.
Thank You Notes
When is the last time you received a handwritten note in this digital age? Make sure to send out a personalized thank you note to your guests within a week of your party. They will greatly appreciate the gesture and thought you put in to welcoming them into your home.
The Epic Housewarming Party
Set the tone of your housewarming party by the guests you invite, the food you serve, and music you play. Make sure to wait long enough to unpack and get settled into your new home before hosting your housewarming party. Give small group tours of your new home and ask for suggestions on decorating or setting up a room from your guests. Prep the house, especially the bathroom, for your guests to feel comfortable and welcomed. Lastly, don’t forget to send personalized Thank You notes.
The first step to hosting a housewarming party is buying a new home! Contact the Agent Lady to start your home search in Philadelphia to host your next housewarming party.
About Agent Lady: Cherise Wynne is a leading real estate agent in Philadelphia, helping home buyers and sellers navigate the City of Brotherly Love, with a special focus on first time home buyers. To chat about getting started with your first time home buying experience, click here.
