Table of Contents
Have you just moved into your new cozy little nest? Have you finally taken the plunge and decided to live with your spouse? It deserves a party, don’t you think? A housewarming party is indeed the perfect opportunity to introduce your family and friends to your new home, and to celebrate an important milestone in your adult life. Discover our tips to ensure the success of your party!
What is housewarming?
The concept of hanging the rack is older than you think! Yes, this tradition comes straight from the Middle Ages. When a house was built, the rack was hung to limit the distance between the fire in the chimney and the pot.
This meant that we could finally serve a hot meal in this new house, to all who had participated in its construction. If the concept has now evolved a bit, the principle remains the same: invite your loved ones to feast in the new home!
Celebrate like in the Middle Ages
Do you think all occasions are good to celebrate? A move should then be no exception to the rule! A housewarming party is the ultimate festive event, during which family and friends are invited to discover new accommodation and eat together for the occasion. But do you know where the expression “housewarming” comes from? In the Middle Ages, meals were cooked in the hearth of a fireplace using a pot, which was hung on a rack so that it could be hung more or less near the fire. The rack was often the last thing installed in the house and its hanging marked the beginning of the thank-you meal. Of course, it is useless today to have a fireplace to make good food and feast all together!
Choose the most appropriate date
Before you can finally hang your rack in the hearth of the fireplace, you will first need to set an adequate date. Unfortunately, you will soon realize that the ideal date does not exist. Whatever day you choose, some family members or friends will always be unable to attend. Our advice? Wait until you’re properly settled in and feel comfortable in your new home before hosting the party, but don’t wait too long either. The goal is to organize hanging around the date of your move.
Send festive invitations
Right now it’s very easy to invite guests to a party via Facebook or WhatsApp , but if you want to add a bit of panache to your party, it’s best to invite and let them know your new address sending change of address announcement cards by mail. A handwritten letter will do just fine!
Also be sure to keep control of your number of guests. A difference of ten guests, for example, will have great repercussions on the furniture to be provided and the quantities of food to be prepared.
Warn your neighbors
Inform your neighbors in time of the organization of your party. Not only warn them of possible noise pollution, but also invite them to your rack to get to know each other better. Are your neighbors old and not really festive? Agree on the modalities of the party, to avoid having the police ring the doorbell in the middle of your evening.
The presentation of your home
After welcoming and handing over gifts and souvenirs, your guests can expect a short guided tour of your apartment. After all, everyone is a little curious, it’s normal for your friends to want to see your new home. For this reason make sure that the apartment is tidied up so as not to leave a bad impression.
Make room
Of course, your housewarming party is the perfect time to organize a guided tour of your new home, but be sure to concentrate the party in one and the same room. The party traditionally takes place in the living room, but nothing prevents you from favoring another room. In summer, why not organize your housewarming party outside, in the garden or on the terrace? Whichever you choose, always be sure to limit any property damage. Store fragile and valuable items under cover, and place tables and chairs that are normally in the middle of the room along the walls. Finally, remember to provide a nice decoration!
Plan enough drinks
Who says party, of course says enough appetizers and drinks. Beer, wine and sodas are the classics, but you can also surprise your guests with delicious homemade mocktails or iced tea. On the food side, to satisfy everyone, plan different kinds of toast, but also raw vegetables with dips, crisps, etc. A word of advice: don’t buy too much to eat and drink. To avoid waste, it is best to provide smaller amounts of food and ask your guests to bring their own drinks and snacks.
Hey, Mister DJ!
Don’t want to see your guests sprawled in your armchairs with their noses glued to their smartphones? The music is the solution! Ask a friend to play DJs at your party or compose a festive playlist for D-day. Also, don’t forget to test your sound system before the party. You wouldn’t want to hear the flies flying while hanging from the housewarming party, would you?
Provide a warm atmosphere
During my housewarming party, there is one thing that you really want. You want all your friends to have a good time with you and in your new home. I think it is important that you prepare several playlists which adapt to the musical tastes of your friends, and which evolve according to the evening.
For example, at the beginning of the evening you can play sounds a little quieter then gradually play more rhythmic music in order for your friends to inaugurate your new dance floor, well rather … your new parquet!
Conclusion
The next day: the dishes are stacked in the kitchen and leftovers from the party are still strewn on the floor of the living room. Even if it is difficult, you should take care of the cleaning as soon as possible. After all, you deserve to have a clean, well-organized home. We also advise you to check with your neighbors if everything went well, this will not only make a good impression, it will also avoid complications directly.
