You took the plunge and bought that new house. You survived the moving stressors.

Your new house might have needed renovations or you've done some DIY work like painting or adding wallpaper. The boxes are gone and now it actually feels like a home.

You're feeling like now would be a great time to christen your new home, welcome old and new friends to it, and throw a housewarming party.

There's nothing establishing some social traditions in your new home. Maybe you miss your old neighbors and want to see them and have them see your new home. Maybe you are hoping to build some friendships with new neighbors.

A housewarming is just the way to do this. Read on to learn how to throw a housewarming party to show off your new home and see friends, old and new.

History of the Housewarming Party

The idea of a housewarming party goes way back.

When people heated their homes by wood in fireplaces, the housewarming party idea took on a literal meaning. Friends and family would come to the new home with wood, light fires, and warm it for the new inhabitants.

Some believe a cold and uninhabited house is the perfect place for ghosts to reside. The housewarming party meant that the house was warmed and the ghosts and spirits of the house were sent on their way.

The French host a pendaison de crémaillère which is their version of a house warming party. Traditionally, those who were involved in building or creating the house would be invited to celebrate its completion.

Nowadays, as people achieve homeownership or get a new home, a housewarming party is a great way to celebrate the new digs and share your pride in your new home.

Let's take a closer look at things to consider when planning your housewarming party.

Invitations and Guest List

The first thing to consider is how you want to invite your guests.

So, getting your invitations out several weeks in advance is a smart idea for maximum attendance at your party.

If you are only inviting old friends, you can be casual and make phone calls to invite friends. You could also send emails.

You can also create invitations to send. One fun idea is to send the invitation as part of your change of address cards you send to friends and family.

The written invitation is also nice if you are inviting new neighbors. You can let people know what to expect from your party by the invite itself.

Theme or No Theme

You want to decide if you want to have a theme party or not. This will dictate the other decisions you make about your party, like food, decor, and games.

You could keep it simple and have a backyard barbecue or potluck. You would also really go all out with a theme. The theme could be anything from a luau to a fiesta to casino night.

You could also throw a housewarming-related theme party. Maybe you need some help with your house still and want to throw a Help Me Out party. You provide food, drinks, and music while your friends pitch in to help.

Decorations

If you are throwing a theme party, it's pretty easy to come up with theme-related decor.

If you're not throwing a theme-related party, let your house be the star of the party. You are, after all, celebrating that you live there.

Your friends and family are coming to see your new house, to see you settled and happy. The decor comes in the form of you how you are settled into your new home.

You might set up a special station with champagne glasses and have a big toast during the heart of the party to celebrate your new house.

Food Ideas

Again, food ideas might be guided by a particular theme.

But you don't have to go crazy or make yourself work for the perfect party food. In fact, this is a time when they say many hands make light work applies

Let your friends and family help with the food. People never mind contributing a dish to pass at a party. In fact, they feel good about it.

You can even set up an online organizer so your friends can put down what they plan to bring.

Games

You will know what's best for your party. Some groups of friends love a party with some interactive games. It helps to break the ice at the party and get people talking, laughing, and having fun.

You can make your games focused on the housewarming theme.

You could have a little quiz about the town or area where your new one is located. You might have guests participate in a little house scavenger hunt through your new house.

See how great your friends are with creating words. Have them come up with a list of words made from the letters in house.

Games are an especially fun way to get old and new friends interacting with each other.

Tours

You are throwing a party to celebrate your new house. Be prepared to give your guests a tour of your new home.

Depending on the size of your party, you as the hosts might be able to do it, or you might have to have your guests take a self-guided tour.

It's fun to show guests the before with photos if you have done major renovations too.

As you prepare for the party, focus on clean-up knowing your party guests will likely want to see the house.

Throw an Easy and Fun House Warming Party at Your New House

A house warming party is a great way to celebrate your new home. You can gather old friends and make new ones by bringing them together in your new home.

It's also a way to begin making memories in your new home.

For help with all your party planning needs, be sure to visit our website