6 New Ways To Host A Housewarming

There is one upside to moving to a new home. Sure, you get to purge what you don't need and maybe buy a new set of curtains, but really it's an excuse to host a get-together. With a little creativity, you don't even need to have to have finished unpacking everything and hanging all the pictures. Throw some tablecloths over the boxes to add a little glam to your (temporary) corrugated cardboard look — capitalize on all that manpower and put your guests to work. Just be sure to provide a really good incentive (cough, food).

Click here to see 6 New Ways to Host a Housewarming Slideshow.

A traditional housewarming party is easy to throw — all you need are cocktails, snacks, and a good group of friends. All the more reason to step things up a bit by adding a healthy dose of the unexpected (which is particularly good if you're the third person to have moved into a new apartment amongst your circle of friends and want your get-together to stand out from the rest). Housewarmings provide the host with the chance to show off their new space. Kitchens and living rooms come to mind, but if you've got a new patio, use that and host an evening of roasts and toasts around the fire. Have a forlorn looking (read: empty) bar or wine rack? Ask for assistance! And don't fear if you've just moved into your first apartment and have some bare-looking cupboards — host a potluck-style housewarming where guests bring something to eat prepared in a gift for your new kitchen. It's a chance to gain helpful advice from your friends, too (especially if it's your first real house). Pass around a guest book where each guest can leave a helpful tip or two to make the transition smoother.

Click here to see 6 New Ways to Host a Housewarming Slideshow.