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Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party — The Look

partysugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:30:00 -0700

Unlike a themed party, at a housewarming there shouldn't be a lot of loud decorations. The house should look clean and elegant.

Set up the snacks, buffet style, on a long dining table. Place a table runner down the center of the table. Serve the tapas on clear platters. Make a small nametag for each of the dishes and stick them in placecard holders. Stack linen napkins nearby.

Choose another location for the bar. Arrange glasses, an ice bowl, and the sangria pitcher. Fill a large, decorative bucket with ice, beer, and wine. Light candles and arrange pretty white flowers in low vases.

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Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party — Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:00:44 -0700

Since guests may arrive at different times and you could be busy giving a tour of the house, set up a small bar at your housewarming party. Let visitors pour their own drinks. Fill a bowl with ice and arrange glasses, garnishes, and napkins nearby. Place cold beers and several bottles of white wine in a large bucket. Make a pitcher of fruity sangria and place it on the table. Serving a sangria is smart because it's made in advance and keeps up with the Spanish theme of the snacks and sweets. To look at the recipe for this peach -strawberry sangria,

Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party — Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:00:32 -0700

When selecting a dessert recipe for a housewarming, choose a dish that can be eaten on the go without any utensils. Cookies and cupcakes are delicious, but empanadas keep up with the tapas-themed menu. These tasty, small pastries are filled with berries and goat cheese. If you don't have the time or expertise to make dough, simply use premade refrigerated pie crust.

To learn how they are made,

Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party — Menu

partysugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:45:07 -0700

A housewarming party is similar to an open house in that guests will stop by at random times. Instead of slaving over the stove, serve a simple menu of Spanish style tapas that are delicious warm, cold, or at room temperature. Start by putting together a large antipasto platter with your favorite cheese, crackers, marinated vegetables, and charcuterie. Supplement this with a few homemade nibbles. Warm rosemary olives, stuffed mushrooms, and eggplant mozzarella roll-ups are scrumptious and filling. To learn how to make these tasty appetizers,

Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party — Invite

partysugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:15:23 -0700

Hunting for a new house, packing everything you own, and moving is seriously exhausting. However, once you are settled into your new space, consider hosting a housewarming party. Think of the housewarming like a reward for the move.

Invite friends and family members over for a tour and tapas. Introduce them to your place while tantalizing their tastebuds with delicious bites. Start by selecting a date and sending invitations. To learn how I made these simple, stylish invites,

Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party - The Look & Music

partysugar — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 06:01:39 -0700

Unlike a theme party, the decorations at a housewarming party don't play a vital role in the atmosphere. Don't get me wrong, you do need decorations, but keep it simple and elegant. The decor of the party should not disguise the natural look of your new home, but enhance it.

A richly hued tablecloth with mirror disks scattered over the top looks festive yet understated. For the centerpiece fill a large copper bowl with aqua colored floating candles. Place a large bouquet of white tulips in tall square vases in every room of your house. Tie brown ribbon around the vases, on door knobs, and the back of chairs. Set up a stainless steel standing champagne bucket and fill with ice. It is a game night so don't forget the games! Trivia Pursuit, Catchphrase, Pictionary, Taboo, Charades, Monopoly, or Apples to Apples are all fabulous selections. If you don't have games, ask one of your friends to bring over their collection. For music play mixes by Putomayo: Eurolounge, Latinlounge, Saharalounge, and Afrolatino are all great background tunes that are upbeat and exotic.

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Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 14:28:39 -0700

Much like the christening of a boat, to start the celebration off at your housewarming party, pop open a bottle of champagne and invite everyone to join you in a toast to your future in the new house. Guests can enjoy the glass as you show them around the space. Once the game night portion of the party gets started, offer an assortment of beers, wines, and a big bowl of "player's punch." Serve the watermelon punch in a pitcher because it will be easier to pour while playing games. Also be sure to pour the drinks in to real glasses (you registered for them so might as well use them!). A nice, light red - such as Beaujolais - or a crisp white unoaked Chardonnay will pair nicely with the pizzas. For those who do not drink alcohol, sparkling water on the rocks spiked with fresh watermelon puree and slices of cucumber or mint makes a festive and refreshing mocktail. You'll find the player's punch recipe after the break, so

Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party - Menu II

partysugar — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 08:01:38 -0700

During the walking tour around your house, place a few appetizers on side tables for nibbling while you discuss your artwork. After they have seen all of your gorgeous furniture and inspiring paint jobs, invite everyone into your largest room for a few rounds of your favorite game. Serve 2 types of crispy pizza - make several of each kind and cook throughout the evening - a white carbonara and a vegetarian eggplant are tasty treats perfect for munching while you play. Add a sweet finish to the evening by offering guest brownies decorated to look like dominos. The pizzas can be assembled in advance and baked later making them an ideal entertaining recipe. To see how simple it is,

Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party - Menu I

partysugar — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 09:01:38 -0700

While you may be tempted to bring out all of the stops for your housewarming party, I suggest that you take it easy in the kitchen. The house and decor should be the shining star - not the food. Still, delicious tasty bites are absolutely necessary. Start by purchasing a few of your favorite grocery store appetizers (I like marinated olives, nuts, and dips that can be jazzed up with fresh herbs) and throw in a few homemade appetizers. Small bites that can be eaten quickly and placed around the house are ideal. Blue cheese and chive celery canapes sound elegant, but are simple to prepare and popcorn shrimp with lemon aioli dipping sauce are irresistibly delicious. For these yummy recipes all you have to do is

Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party - Invites

partysugar — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 06:01:38 -0700

A housewarming party is a fabulous celebration where you invite friends and family into your new/remodeled/just purchased/first home. This type of party is also great for newlyweds who may be feeling a little down after the excitement from the wedding has ended and the tan from their honeymoon has faded. A housewarming allows you the chance to show off your home and after the tour is over, gather guests into a few friendly rounds of old school games like Monopoly, charades, or Taboo. For step-by-step instructions on how to make fun house shaped invitations to a game night housewarming party,