The boxes are unpacked, the walls have been repainted eggshell white, and the piles of clothes no longer litter the floor. You’ve gotten everything prepared and are ready to entertain your friends, family, and new neighbors in your new home. Before this signature shindig gets underway—and the guests begin to stroll into the doorway—here are a few tips for throwing a housewarming party.
Find Out How Much You’re Willing to Shell Out
Party planning can be a costly affair, especially after the financial toll that a new move takes on the bank account. Setting a budget—and sticking to it—can alleviate some future banking blues. There’s no reason to spend big on throwing a housewarming party; the major fixture is your new home itself. Ditching some of the more unnecessary decorations can bring you some financial peace of mind and keeps the after-party clean up to a minimum. Set a spending range for your party that you are comfortable with, whether that be $100 or $1,000.
Keep the Snacks Simple
Budget-friendly bites, such as finger foods, sandwiches, and other small sides, are great ways to feed your friends without forking over too much cash. Throwing a housewarming party during the early afternoon—after lunch and before dinner—also works to your financial advantage. Instead of serving a full four-course meal, you can offer delicious bite-sized appetizers and entrees.
Gauge Your Guest List and Limit Invites
This might sound a little off—who wouldn’t want to come to your housewarming party? However, keeping a guest list small can ease some of the burden and will make your party that much more manageable. If you know beforehand how many guests plan to attend (or at least around about that number), you can calibrate how much food you’ll need, where people can sit (or stand) and mingle, and how long you’ll entertain.
Spot Clean and Tidy Up
A quick sweep through will do wonders for your housewarming party—and set the tone up front. Showing invitees you keep a tidy home will make them feel at home and create an overall warm and friendly ambiance. This fast and easy housewarming touch-up should take no longer than 15 minutes to half an hour and will make your place that much more welcoming.
Now that You’re Ready, Relax
Give yourself enough time to rest after your housewarming prep period. You’ll feel rejuvenated, less stressed, and more social once your guests arrive. Keep things relaxed and casual—and leave yourself a few minutes to recoup.
These tips will make your next housewarming party that much more special and manageable. Mulling a move into the Auburn, Opelika, or Lake Martin area? Contact Realtor Ryan Roberts here. Interested in new local listings, real estate topics, or events going on in the Auburn-Opelika area? Continue following our blog here.