When the moving process is over and you’re finally settled in, you might want to scream your excitement from the rooftops. A housewarming party provides you with the opportunity to not only show off your new space but also share your joy with family and friends.

• Extend the invite.
  When it comes to a housewarming shindig, regular party etiquette can be thrown to the wayside. Instead of keeping the guest list to just close friends and family members, extend the invite to neighbors and friends of friends. Inviting new people will help broaden your circle of friends, making you feel right at home. If you happen to have a backyard, you can use this space to accommodate the large guest list—weather permitting.

• Create a theme.
  When it comes to determining the theme, it doesn’t have to be elaborate. A simple theme can help make planning the menu and decorations so much easier. For instance, a backyard picnic party or a watermelon-themed party could add a fun summery touch!



• Offer bite-sized appetizers.
  Who doesn’t love finger foods? To keep the vibe of the party more casual, skip a sit-down dinner and offer a variety of appetizers. Displaying the finger foods on a few tables throughout your home or in the kitchen will encourage mingling. Be sure to label each food so guests with allergies will be able to identify what they can safely consume.

• Skip the grand tour.
  Of course, your guests will want to see your new space, but instead of giving one large grand tour, aim for smaller tours for people as they come in. This will allow you to have a one-on-one chat with everyone. Often, the hardest part of hosting is making sure that you mingle with all guests, so you could make it even easier on yourself by having designated times to show people around the house. Make sure to have a cutoff time, though, so you can still enjoy the party!

• Display a guest book.
  Set up a vibrant guest book by the front door. Be sure to ask your guests to sign it and add their contact information. Typically, a few guests will even go above and beyond and provide tips about your home and the neighborhood. Your guest book will be a tangible memory of the event and will help you place names with faces in your neighborhood.

Spread the housewarming wealth by sharing these tips.

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