Usually done to celebrate the moving into a new home, a housewarming party gives the host(s) a chance to showcase their new home to their friends and loved ones.
These days, it serves as an opportunity for friends and loved ones to gather and to bless the new homeowners.
7 steps to planning and organizing your Housewarming Party
1. Plan for your Housewarming Party
During the planning phase, you should not overlook these 6 considerations:
i) Timing
When would you be planning to hold the housewarming party?
- Weekends or weekdays
- Mornings, afternoons or evenings?
Since everyone is busy, you might want to provide a timeslot that would fit most people’s schedules. We find that most housewarming parties are usually held for the whole day, on a selected weekend (Sat OR Sun).
ii) Budget
What is your budget?
iii) Space Constrains
How many people can your house take at any single time?
Do take note of the current Covid regulations too!
iv) Where?
- Where would they gather at during your party?
- How would you like your guests to see your house?
- Would it be a quick tour before they gather at a certain spot in the house (i.e. the living room)
- Would you and those staying with you conduct the tour together?
Although most housewarming parties start with a house tour, most guests would end up gathering in your living room or kitchen. You should plan for enough space and seats for your guests.
v) Food and Drinks
Would you prefer to serve food and drinks at your housewarming party or invite your guests to bring food, potluck style?
What sorts of drinks would you provide?
- Alcoholic or non-alcoholic?
- Caffeinated or non-caffeinated
vi) Itinerary
How would you like to keep your guests entertained?
Would they be around to chit chat and catch up with each other?
Would they watch some movies or play some video games?
Would you be organizing games?
2. Decide on the number of guests you would like at your housewarming party
When considering the number of guests, you must take note of your budget and any space constraints.
If you are on a tight budget, limit the number of guests to just the close-knitted group of friends and family.
Once you have clear idea of your budget and available space, create your guests list.
If you plan to invite more people to your housewarming party, plan your invitations accordingly. You can invite different groups of friends over at specific timing. By staggering the people visiting your house at any one time, you will reduce overcrowding and even get a better opportunity to interact with every group.
3. Plan for and prepare food and beverages
First up, decide if your housewarming party will include food and drinks.
Whether you decide to serve food or not, you could consider serving your guests beverages. Serving beverages usually require lesser space and a smaller budget compared to food. A mobile coffee catering service will get your guests excited even before they enter your new house.
If yes, you will need to determine how much food you will need to prepare based on the number of guests you are inviting and how you would like your guests to be served.
Will it be a sit-down meal where food will be served to your guests? Such experiences are very special and will be memorable for your guests. However, it may be more expensive or time-consuming to prepare.
Will it be a buffet style meal for your guests? For this option, you will have to consider the space you have and where you plan to have your guests gathered for the meal.
If you expect different groups of friends to drop by your party for a short period of time, finger foods such as hotdogs, chips, fries or sandwiches are appropriate and relatively cheaper to prepare. Alternatively, you can get the food delivered to your new house too.
Another option to consider is to have a potluck. Invite your guests to bring along a dish when they drop by. Remember to set aside space for the potluck, and prepare the utencils required!
If your housewarming party is held in the morning or afternoon, you can consider hiring a mobile coffee catering to serve specialty coffee that is ground and brewed on the spot. This will definitely impress the guests!
We have drinks menu catered specially for those who do not take caffeinated drinks too.
4. Send out invitations
Send out invitations at least three weeks before your housewarming party. This will give your guests ample time to mark the date down or even shift some appointments to visit your new crib.
If you are planning for a potluck, let your guests know in their invites. This will give them time to plan and prepare for the potluck.
You should make use of this opportunity to get to know your new neighbors too. Invite them to join in the party.
If you are not comfortable with inviting them over, be considerate and remember to let them know that you are organizing a housewarming party in advance. They will be better prepared to expect a large crowd and some noise on the day of your party (and, so that they will not be shocked when they see too many people loitering near their house).
5. Decorate your house
Depending on the itinerary of your housewarming party, you may need to shift some furniture to provide sufficient space for your guests. For example, if you expect your guests to be at the dining table for the most part of the party, make sure that there is ample space there.
You can keep your guests within different areas of your house depending on how you align your furniture. Give them more roaming space at the living room or at your dining room.
In addition, align your furniture for an easy flow of traffic for your house tour. You wouldn’t want your guests to constantly bump into each other.
House decoration should be kept simple and as per your normal daily living style. After all, you are showing your house to your guests. It isn’t a special theme party.
6. Prepare your house for the housewarming party.
Having mentioned about the decoration and how it should be “as per your normal daily living style”, do remember to keep your house clean and smelling fresh. (Coffee smells great and helps too!)
Make sure you have at least cleaned the area where your guests will be hanging out at. Your guests would not appreciate sitting on a dusty couch.
Unpack and clean before your housewarming party.
7. Socialize and have fun – it’s your housewarming party!
Don’t forget to mingle, have fun and show off cool spaces in your new home.
Now is the time to impress your friends, make some great memories, better your friendships (and leave them jealous of your new crib)!
To create a memorable housewarming party, why not consider having your very own private barista on standby to serve your guests? It takes little space and will definitely keep everyone excited and get them talking.
Imagine going to an awesome housewarming party that featured a private mobile coffee bar with a barista who served fresh coffee brewed right in front of you! Read more about our mobile coffee carts here.
