What To Bring To A Housewarming?

Definition of "What to bring to a housewarming?"

Team  Platinum of Naples  GRI, ABR real estate agent

Written by

Team Platinum of Naples GRI, ABRelite badge icon

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty

You’ve been invited to a housewarming party (or just invited to meet a friend’s new house) and you don’t know what to bring… well, that's why our real estate questions section exist: we cover all the way from "How to take pictures to sell your house" to housewarmings!

Ok. First, we recommend you taking a look at our list of traditional housewarming gifts to draw some inspiration from it but we must make it clear that when someone asks what to bring to a housewarming, they need to bring more than just presents. See, moving to a new home comes with so many changes, that, sometimes, it’s hard to settle in; regardless if the move was planned or unexpected, it can feel weird for the homeowner at first. And, in a way, housewarming is all about making the property feel more like a home. It’s in the name, right? “Housewarming” is all about making the home more warm, homey, alive; and there’s nothing better than bringing your friends around to accomplish this mission.

So, although the presents are a nice gesture, the first thing you need to get when thinking about what to bring to a housewarming is your best mood. If you’re very tired and stressed because of work, if you’re too sad and depressed about something, it’s better to stay at home and wait for you to feel better to go meet the place. Everyone will understand and appreciate it, and even you will feel better about not sucking everyone’s energy with the lack of yours. Show the homeowner you are happy to be there and happy for him.

Another important thing to bring – not only to housewarming parties but anywhere – is your best manners. Discover something you liked about the new house and make a compliment about it. If you hated something about the house, only disclose it if the homeowner asked you about it. And, even then, try not being rude about it. Highlighting it is only your opinion and try to point something nice out about it, despite the fact that you hated it. The poor guy has probably spent a lot of time moving and decorating the new home for you to come and say bad things about it. He’s too attached to it, so go easy on him even if you feel it’s in his best interest to hear an honest critique.

Lastly, try bringing something that will get the party up and running. Not alcohol! (Though it might do this work of getting the party started just fine) We mean things that will integrate people, like party games, for instance; or even stories and pictures of your friend and the old house, if you have it (just don’t make the whole thing about you so much; remember the homeowner and the new house are the stars of the party). Here’s why this is one important thing to have in mind when thinking about what to bring to a housewarming: the homeowner might invite people that don’t know each other so much – and worse; the person who doesn’t know anyone might be you! – so it’s good to have something that will relieve the host (the homeowner) of these integration duties. Just make sure to run the idea by the host before you make everyone play it. Don’t be inconvenient; although it’s a good idea you have at heart, the host might have organized himself to provide another source of entertainment and not care so much about whatever it is that you’re proposing. Music, for instance, plays an instrumental part – no pun intended - in a party’s success, and sometimes the host had too much on his mind and forgot to take care of that department. If you have an iPod or something, it might be a great idea to volunteer to DJ but please run by the host what type of music HE would like to listen to. Otherwise, you’ll be forever remembered as the guy who puts on music he hates.

So, summing up the answer to the question of what to bring to a housewarming party: housewarming gifts, the right attitude (emotionally and socially) and things that can integrate the people in the party and make the whole thing more fun for everybody and make the homeowner unquestionably feel at home.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Questions

Popular Real Estate Glossary Terms

An individual or business that buys someone else's equity in property but may not assume any responsibility for a loan balance. ...

In any field, from the corner store or long-term rentals, the potential gross income is the expected revenue earned from a sale or the rendering of services. The potential gross income ...

The maximum depth to which the ground normally becomes frozen in a given geographic area. The depth of the frost line is an important consideration when placing or installing pipes or any ...

Lease agreement having level payments during the contractual period. It does not have an escalation clause to allow for increased costs due to increases in inflation, taxes, or other ...

In real estate terms, many consider having corner influence an extra financial advantage when it comes to transactions in most cases. Usually, enjoying a corner influence brings an ...

Created by law usually for the right to travel to landlocked parcel of land ...

Analysis of the risks and rewards to an individual in making a particular property investment. Investment analysis considers the cost of the original investment, the investment return over ...

A legally transferable debt instrument by which the issuer agrees to pay the payee within a certain time period. Note usually pay a specified rate of interest tied to the market rate of ...

Unincorporated combination (roll-up) of limited partnerships in a real estate together as a group. It is usually more comprehensive, financially sound, and marketable than individual ...