Thanks to all who attended my Housewarming party this past Saturday. It was really fun!
Planning for a party can get crazy! That’s why it’s good to stay as organized as possible if you are the only one tasked with doing the planning and preparation.
To help you out with planning your next party, I will give you some examples of what I did to make our party a success. I planned the party two weeks out, first making a list of attendees and sent the invites in the best format for them to receive it, depending on their preferences. I sent the invites by: text, handed it in person or mailed it.
Next, I searched online for platters to order through a local supermarket, intending to buy the platters until I found out how much each one was. Printing out pictures of particular platters I wanted at my party, I made a list of all the meats, fruits, cheeses, types of cheeses (block cheese, cubed, slices) I needed in order to copy and make the platters myself to save some $$. (Always take into account food preferences for guests; for instance if you have friends who are vegetarian, so that they may also have food to enjoy).
Thirdly, I made a list of drinks to have at the party and other items to have on hand like: ice, flatware, napkins, plates, disposable coasters. I saved $$ and bought these extra but needed items at a local dollar store. Saving $ any way you can will help you with stretching your budget in other areas that you may want to splurge on.
Fourth, I ordered a specialty cake specifically with a Housewarming party theme and I ordered one platter of sandwiches. For me, the investment in purchasing the sandwiches instead of painstakingly making each one was worth the extra time and energy I saved.
Lastly, I searched online for Housewarming party ideas and I decided to include favors for the guests. As each guest left, they took a gift bag filled with a few goodies to thank them for helping us celebrate.
On the day of the party, we vacuumed the house, cleaned mirrors, staged the bedroom, went room to room checking to see how each would look for our guests, swept out the front veranda to the home, tidied up the yard, put fresh water in the birdbaths for attendees who wanted to venture outside, and brought in extra seating for guests so all would have a place to sit in either of the rooms they ventured into. (Having background music playing can also create a warm, comfortable feeling for your guests- this is especially wonderful during the holidays. Try to pick easy listening, instrumental music. It’s soothing and likely won’t interfere with conversation and merriment).
A yard sign out by our mailbox to help guests find our home was the very last item- this can be added to balloons tied to a mailbox to make your home stand out even more.
This is all hard work but it’s worth it in the end so that you and your guests have an enjoyable time. Good luck with yours!
TK Lawyer 