You've just moved in, so the pressure is off. Still, a housewarming party is your time to bask in compliments and delightful oohs and aahs as your guests revel in your catch.
Candles set the mood, and an eclectic and punchy party playlist invites conversation and encourages relaxation.
Leave a guestbook by the front door, and encourage everyone to leave you little bits of wisdom before they leave.
Make sure you have plenty of spots for people to perch, lean and sit. Set out little bowls of delectable treats around the house, and to make guests truly feel at home, never run out of food, drinks or music.
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If you’re inviting your friends and family to warm your house by helping you move in, paint and commiserate, thank them with a small, thoughtful gift.
We know, money and time are tight when you’re moving into a new place, so keep it simple with one of these ideas:
• A bottle of wine
• Gourmet chocolates
• A gift card — choose a store like Wal-Mart, where people can find all sorts of great stuff at good prices
Here’s a quick way to get your Wal-Mart gift cards. Just click the image you prefer to get started:
Priority #1: Breaking in the new home, whatever that means to you and your friends — dinner party, game night, dancing until dawn. Up to you. To keep the focus on your fabulous new place, ditch a party theme and spend your time and money on good food, beverages and party music.
Priority #2: Not breaking your new home. If floors are new, ask people to take their shoes off. Just put down white carpeting? Stick with white wine instead of the stain-likely red. Create a designated smoking area outside where errant ashes won't burn down the place.
Spending time with friends and family is the reason you've invited everyone to your housewarming party. So bite-size, room-temp food will keep you out of the kitchen and in the mix.
Start with assorted olives, nuts and cheeses (one goat, one sheep and one or two cow's milk). For a heartier, but still easy, meal, put out platters of meaty skewers and sandwiches. For dessert, stick with cookies or make a decadent cheesecake.
Your best bet is keeping your meal informal and casual; you can have a more formal sit-down dinner once you've had a chance to fully stock the pantry and figure out all of your new appliances and kitchen accessories.
Featured Housewarming Recipes from Epicurious.com
Cafe Royal
• 1 oz. Brandy
• 1 oz. Kahlua (optional)
• 1 spoon sugar
• 10 oz. hot coffee
Pour coffee into warmed mug add kahlua if desired. Float 2 teaspoons brandy on coffee. Put remaining 2 teaspoons brandy into a tablespoon with sugar cube. Warm spoon over hot coffee. With a match, carefully ignite brandy in teaspoon. Slowly lower spoon into coffee to ignite floating brandy. Wait 1 minute after flame has died before drinking. |  |
| 1. | Our House / Madness |
| 2. | Burning Down the House / Talking Heads |
| 3. | Our House / Crosby, Stills & Nash |
| 4. | Da Roof Is on Fire / DJ Funk |
| 5. | Brand New Day / Van Morrison |
| 6. | Going Home / Ten Years After |
| 7. | Homeward Bound / Simon & Garfunkel
|
| 8. | Home Sweet Home / Motley Crue
|
| 9. | Johnny Come Home / Fine Young Cannibals
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| 10. | All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down / Hank Williams Jr.
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