It’s so exciting to open up your new home with a housewarming party!
We’re nearing the end of our farmhouse renovation, and I’m excitedly gathering ideas for our post reno housewarming party.
Filling your new space with the people you love helps it immediately feel like home.
With a little planning and prep work, you will be confidently entertaining your friends and family without having to kill yourself in the kitchen.
There is nothing better than being relaxed and free to enjoy the gathering with your people…and nothing worse than missing most of because you underestimated the party prep. 😉
Been there, done that!…and let’s just say I live by cooking ahead entertaining tricks so that I can have everything completed when guests arrive.
The only thing I want to be worrying about is finding a drink and kicking back with my guests.
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Hosting A Housewarming Party
Source: Design Improvised
First things first, don’t rush it! You’ll enjoy hosting a housewarming party when you are completely settled and comfortable in your new space. You’ll be proud to show off your home when you’ve had time decorate.
It’s completely fine to wait a month or two before hosting a formal gathering.
Your friends will love a reason to get together at any time, and making sure you have time get things unpacked and presentable will help keep your stress levels down.
That being said, you will have to pick an available date and time.
It’s a good idea to pick a range of time guests can stop by. Say 3-6pm for example, instead of simply putting a starting time like 1:00.
With an open house style housewarming party, guests can come and go as they like and no one has to worry about being late.
Housewarming Party Invitations
Source: UsefulDIY
There are million EVITE apps out there! Punch Bowl, EVITE, Red Stamp, WhenAvailable, the list goes on and on. Most of these services and have every feature you could ever want.
The problem?
A lot of these platforms require guests to create an account and fill out their information just to rsvp. That can get annoying!
Select digital invite apps that allow you to save invitations as an image on your phone. That way, you are just one quick text message from getting the word out.
This will save your guests some time and is usually the quickest way to get a response!
Housewarming Party Ideas
Source: Angelica Made Me
Now that the formalities are taken care of, let’s get to the fun stuff!
Housewarming Party Foods
When preparing food for ANY party, I always try to include at least one thing that is…
- Fresh
- Filling
- Sweet
- Quenching
These housewarming party food ideas include all of that and then some.
When it comes to hosting large gatherings, you’ll need to plan a little smarter. Look for party foods that allow you to be completely hands off when guests arrive.
Bite sized nibbles, buffets, help yourself drink stations are go to entertaining options for housewarming parties.
You can do the prep work ahead of the function, and your guests can take it from there. They also help keep things casual and inviting. Below is a collection of some of my favorites!
Source: The Wedding Chics
You can find stylish large capacity drink dispensers similar to the ones pictured here! It’s perfect when they are large enough you don’t have to worry about refilling them during the party.
Oh, and don’t forget the cups!
Source: Country Living
A self service drink bar featuring your favorite adult beverages is always a big hit! If you are lucky enough to have the space (and weather) for an outdoor gathering, a galvanized tub filled with ice and beer is such a cute idea.
Speaking of warm weather, adding a unique drink stations like this beer wheelbarrow is genious. It is super easy to make and clean up, and is full of farmhouse style.
If you love entertaining ideas that add an extra flair, you may want to check out these awesome entertaining ideas using ice.
Source: Pinterest
This help yourself sangria bar is such a great idea. I love the butcher paper & stylish writing, and also the cute farmhouse style double drink dispenser.
Source: Food & Love Foreva
I wrote a post this past football season about game day party foods ideas. Most of these delicious party foods would work wonderfully for a housewarming party like these awesome ham and cheese sliders!
Sliders are such a great party food, you can prep a bunch without a lot of fuss.
Source: Building Our Story
This help yourself taco bar is one of the most pinned party food images on Pinterest. It has everything a taco lover could ever want.
It’s key to have a couple of crock pots, or fondu pots to keep meats and cheeses warm.
Source: Mums The Word
The same goes for this jalapeno popper dip. It’s one of the most pinned party foods on the internet.
Once you make it, you’ll know why! Follow the source link for the full recipe!
Source: Pinterest
Speaking of buffets, how about this lovely sandwich bar? Although it looks impressive, it wasn’t painstaking to assemble. Simply plating, and beautifully presenting the food was most of the ‘work’.
Notice the small gift wrapped boxes used along the back of the counter to help elevate foods. Super smart and economical. Remember, the eye eats first and pretty presentation always wins.
Source: The Yummy Life
Nachos are another crowd pleasing party food. With a variety of toppings, everyone will create something crunchy, cheesy, and delicious!
A group of small ramekins and serving bowls are ideal for holding all of the toppings!
Source: Spend With Pennies
Another great guest friendly housewarming party idea is a charcuterie board. They have such great variety and can stand as a main course all on their own.
Here are tips on how you can create one that will be perfect for your party!
Source: Tasty.co
Speaking of beautiful presentation…how about this gorgeous ‘Blooming Quesadilla Ring’?!? With a smart assembly and taco shell rolling, you can stuff and bake this baby all at once.
Your guests can enjoy pulling off crisp cheesy chicken tacos one at a time. Yum!
Source: Take Two Tapas
I love party appetizers that don’t require a lot of dainty time consuming assembly. This creamy beer cheese dip with tear apart bread bowl has pretty much got it going on if you ask me!
Purchase a beautiful round loaf and let the melty cheese do the rest of the work, yum!
Source: Pinterest
Don’t forget something fresh! These veggie sticks in dip cups are so cute and easy for guests to grab. There is no dip bowl hovering required to enjoy these!
Fresh fruit and veggie platters are always a beautiful addition as well. If you have time, consider assembling some of them on skewers for easy grabbing like the ones below.
Source: 100 Layer Cake
Source: Lil Luna
Now that we have sweets on the mind it’s probably time to hit you with these little brown sugar super heros.
I make these all the time and everyone RAVES about them. They are super rich and would be served perfectly in small squares or trinagles.
They are really easy to make, and I can’t imagine any housewarming party guest being mad meeting them on the buffet.
Source: I Heart Eating
Dessert dips are another great way to go, and this one is so pretty! It will bring beautiful color to your countertop display and also add tart cherry goodness that everyone can enjoy.
Sourse: The Blond Cook
These are another great and easy small bite dessert recipe! If you can cut apples, you can make the. 🙂 These little tasties use store bought croissant dough and fresh green apples.
YUM! Wow, I need a snack.
Housewarming Party Games
I’m a big believer in keeping things casual and inviting for your guests. Sometimes, and overly orchestrated game can put guests on the spot and make them feel uncomfortable.
These ‘game’ ideas won’t do that!
They are played at guests leisure, and will avoid all of the awkwardness.
Source Fun Cheap or Free
‘The Bowl Game’ is SO funny. It’s a fun variety on the ‘2 truths and one lie’ icebreaker game. Follow the link to learn how to play, mosts guests leave in stitches!
Source: Pinterest
This cute housewarming party game will be a great keepsake for years to come. Make sure you have your jenga tower, markers, and instructions displayed where guests will congregate!
Source: My Frugal Adventures
When it comes to back yard games, what can beat a good game of cornhole?
Everyone knows and loves it. Guests can jump in when they feel like it, and pass when they don’t.
Source: Amazon
Speaking of Jenga…this life life sized Jenga game is SO much fun. We played this for hours on our back patio during our last friend reunion.
Keep little ones clear of the collapse when you get towards the end of the game. No one wants a 2×4 in the face!
Housewarming Party Gifts
If you’re preparing to host a housewarming party (and I’m assuming you are) you may want to have something small your guests can take home. There is no need to over do it here.
Most of them are likely appreciative that they get to come over for food and tour around your new place.
That being said, sending your housewarming guests home with these small gift ideas is so thoughtful.
Source: Pinterest
I love this small candle and adorable message! Everyone enjoys burning a candle. I like these smaller candles which come in adorable tins and yummy natural scents.
Source: Pinterest
If you’re not into individual wrapping this basket candle display is awesome! It’s sure to catch guests eyes and is something everyone will enjoy taking home.
Source: Ever Mine
Ever Mine Blog showcases these darling popcorn printables. While not everyone pops raw kernals, a dressed up bag of popcorn would work too. Maybe a bow around the middle? Just sayin.. 😉
Source: Spoon Fork Bacon
A homemade chocolate chip cookie, who doesn’t want to receive that? An edible and stylishly packaged cookie makes a perfect housewarming party gift. Everyone loves chocolate chip cookies (and if they don’t you should probably un invite and excommunicate them).
Here is what you will need to create these cute packages…
- Small Brown Paper Bags
- Wooden Skewers
- Stapler
- Cookie Label
Housewarming Party Decorations
You’ll want to include a few housewarming party decorations to help make your event festive! Spoiler alert, it’s all about the paint card samples. Head to your local home improvement stores and start taking them like crazy.
They’re free! 🙂
Source: Home Edit
The entry of your home is such an important feature. Help welcome guests and signal your new location with a fun cluster or helium balloons.
Source: Pinterest
It would be so easy to DIY this darling housewarming welcome sign. Paint sample cards + twine + stick on letters and you’re good to go!
Source: Etsy
Aren’t you glad you grabbed SO many pains sample cards? 😛 How cute are these utensil holders? You can purchase them on ETSY, or grab a stapler and make your own for very little money or effort.
Source: Glamfetti
These cupcake toppers are darling. They could be used anywhere on top of platters, sandwiches, or other small bites.
Source: Pinterest
Keep the paint card sample creations going and make this fun and festive DIY housewarming party sign. You can print or stencil letters on for a polished look!
Source: Home Edit
It’s so nice to have a current and updated address book with of your family and friends. While they are all gathered, why not have them jot down their info?
This will also make getting to know new neighbors even easier.
Source: Catch My Party
Catch My Party sets the standard for all things classy and beautiful. This housewarming party display is no different. I included this in the decor section as I love the farmhouse ‘home sweet home’ sign.
this would be easy to make with a farmhouse window frame like this one. You can easily incorporate it into your farmhouse home decor after the party!
Housewarming Party Well Wishes…
I hope you found some inspiration for your housewarming party. Whatever you decide, you can’t go wrong opening up your home to the people you love, and that are excited to share in your new home excitement.
Cheers for now! <3 Ang
