Housewarming/Christmas Party

rupert2010

We will be moving into our forever home like the first of Dec.I wanted to do some kind of Christmas party get together..And my mom said it should also be a housewarming.Well I just wanted to know what other people thought bout a Christmas/Housewarming.And any tips yall could share?

TarHeels&Rebels

Welcome to the nest   In the "getting excited" post a little below this, I linked to many of our Christmas parties from last year.

I think a housewarming/Christmas open house is a great idea!  As for tips, do you have specific questions?

rupert2010

No specific questions,I have never done a housewarming or my own Christmas Party before.So anything will help

sjb&apa

We did this a few years ago, but we moved into our house a little earlier (October). I just didn't feel the house was ready for guests/party hosting until the holiday season. We had a lot of furniture to buy, etc.

I did a drinks & desserts party, and it went over really well.

For drinks, we had wine, beer, 2 special holiday cocktails, sodas and hot apple-cranberry cider. Don't forget the non-alcoholic options for those who are driving or not drinking for whatever reason. The hot cider was a huge hit at our party.

For food, I made a variety of desserts since I love to bake. We had pies, cakes, cheesecakes, some cookies, etc. These are mostly items that can be prepared a day or two in advance, so that makes it really easy on the party day.

So everyone wouldn't overload on sweets, I had a few savory items too - baked brie with fruit & crackers, mini meatballs and a veggie tray. Again, these are items that you can prepare the day before, just stick a couple of items in the oven at the party and you're all set.

If you do a dessert or appetizer type party instead of a full meal, I would advise having lots of dessert-size plates available. People take a plate, eat a few things, and then come back later and take another plate. I was using actual dishware (not paper plates), and even though I have lots of sets of dishes, I wish we had a few more!

Be prepared for people to wander through your new house - offer to give tours if you don't want people randomly showing themselves around your house. I didn't care if people just wandered around if they were interested to see our house, so they mostly had self-guided tours. :-) 

6fsn

I'm not trying to be a debbie downer, but I am a pragmatist soooooooo

The idea of closing on Dec. 1 and then hosting a party in the middle of Christmas season gives me a rash.  The closing may be delayed.  You'll have 2 weeks to try to get a party together on top of planning for the holidays and unpacking and wrapping and buying and other parties....

My suggestion would be to have a New Year New House party.  Not on New Year's eve, but the weekend after.  That gives you 5 wks to get things together and enjoy the holidays. 

As you start to get an idea for style of party, this board will be a great place to bounce around ideas.

TarHeels&Rebels

I didn't originally see the Dec 1 closing part.  Yeah, this just really isn't possible unless you do something really tongue-in-cheek using your moving boxes as decoration.  Maybe consider hosting the Super Bowl at your house if you feel like you need an excuse to throw a party.

huber22

I second 6's suggestion. We moved last year, and I hosted my son's baptism (with 40 people) three weeks afterwards. However, there was no chance for our closing to be delayed, it wasn't during the holidays, it was warm enough to host most of the guests outside and I had 5 empty out-of-the-way bedrooms to store all of our boxes.

We closed in August on the home we are in now, and I am now feeling like I am at a place where we can host a "housewarming." (Actually, just a holday party).

If you would like to host earlier, why not invite one or two couples over for dinner and a game night or something low-key?

shesthetoast

TarHeels&Rebels:

I didn't originally see the Dec 1 closing part.  Yeah, this just really isn't possible unless you do something really tongue-in-cheek using your moving boxes as decoration.  Maybe consider hosting the Super Bowl at your house if you feel like you need an excuse to throw a party.

I agree. Aim for after New Year's, like pp suggested, or the Superbowl. 

Unless you're paying cash, closings get delayed all the time. I've had several run-ins with lenders lately who are really backed up (additional requirements, rates are low so lots of re-fis, etc). You'd hate to be delayed a week or two and have a big party planned.

rupert2010

Thank you everyone  for the advice.But i would still like tips for doing the housewarmin/Christmas party plez

TarHeels&Rebels

rupert2010:

Thank you everyone  for the advice.But i would still like tips for doing the housewarmin/Christmas party plez

We don't quite know what advice you need.

Have you ever entertained at all before?

Are you thinking big or small?  Formal or casual?  Afternoon or evening?

Do you plan to send paper invites?  They'll need to go in the mail the week of Thanksgiving.  You should probably also send out an email save the date in the next week or so.  TinyPrints has good quality for the money.

Are you sending email invites?  Look at evite.com and paperlesspost.com.

Do you want to make the food yourself or have it catered?

See, there's just so much out there that we couldn't possibly guess what you don't know.  We love and will gladly answer specific questions

6fsn

My advice then- keep it casual.  Plan on using paper plates and do it on a Sunday afternoon.  I'd also check out places that cater even part of it.

Pick up some big red bows and plop them on the boxes that are still packed.