What good is a stunning new home if nobody sees it? Throwing a housewarming party to show off your new digs is a great way to reconnect with old friends and break bread with new neighbors, but it can be stressful to many would-be hosts.
If you’re committed to hosting a housewarming party, here are some tips for making sure it goes smoothly- and without much stress.
Wait a few weeks
While it may be tempting to invite the whole gang over right away, waiting until your home is in reasonable shape will provide some much-needed logistical and emotional bandwidth. This could take months, between ensuring all furniture is in place and most boxes have been unpacked.
Organize it like an open house
If you’re concerned that the guest list is too large for your home’s size, allow people to drop in anytime during a span of several hours, rather than asking people to show up at a set time.
Keep the food simple
Since much of your cookware may still be in boxes, consider ordering bite-size foods that can be kept at room temperature. You want also want to order pre-cut fruit, cheese and cookie platters.
Use paper products
Using paper plates from recyclable materials is a great way to save time on cleanup. It’s an appropriate move for such a casual event, and if you’re still living out of cardboard boxes, you won’t have to hunt down the one that contains your appetizer plates.
Get the living room in order
Why it’s okay if your bedroom is still in a state of disrepair, the main party spot should be as unpacked and organized as possible. Take the drop cloth off the sofa and tables, and lay the rug down.
Source: Bed Bath & Beyond