How to Throw a Housewarming Party on a Budget (Part 1)

You’ve just moved in, unloaded your belongings, and are eager to show off your new digs. What better way to celebrate than throwing a housewarming party? A housewarming party is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate your exciting new digs and take a respite after the stress of moving, whether you go casual or lavish, open invite or private guest list. And the good news is that you can create a fantastic housewarming celebration on a shoestring budget.

Moving costs money, so it’s understandable if you don’t want to throw a large party straight away. Fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank to organize a fantastic housewarming party. When it comes to a new house celebration, there aren’t many rules—just do what makes the most sense given the time, space, and budget you have, and focus on having a nice time. Don’t know where to begin? Read through the following suggestions to get started arranging your perfect housewarming party on a budget.

Determine how much money you want to spend.

You need to know how much money you have to work with before you make any decisions concerning your housewarming party. Don’t feel obligated to spend a lot of money—a fantastic housewarming celebration can be a low-key affair. The first important thing is to know how much you’re willing to spend—whether it’s $50 or $500—and then you can focus on the rest of the details.

Decide on an acceptable timeframe.

Many people put off holding a housewarming celebration until after they have moved into their new home for a few months. Working within limitations that you’re comfortable with is key when planning a housewarming celebration on a budget, and this applies to both timing and money. Determine a timeframe that will allow you to recoup financially from the move, rather than feeling obligated to do it within the first month or two of setting down.

Be Realistic

Party planning usually begins with big ideas ultimately whittled down to something more manageable. And that’s perfectly fine! Nobody is expecting a Pinterest-worthy party or anything straight from the pages of Martha Stewart Living. Set realistic expectations for your housewarming celebration, and don’t stress over attaining an arbitrary ideal.

Keep the guest list to a minimum.

It is not necessary to invite many guests to a party. While a housewarming party is certainly the type of event to which you can invite acquaintances, if you’re on a budget, you’re usually better off limiting the guest list to only your closest friends and their significant others (if applicable). This will make your party more controllable as well as cost-effective.

Send out invitations for free.

The days of sending invitations by snail mail are long gone. The internet provides many options for sending dazzling invitations by email, but they are not all inexpensive. Fortunately, services like Paperless Post and Punchbowl offer free alternatives. A simple (closed) Facebook invitation or even individual text messages to your invitees may suffice if you don’t feel like going all out. Just give your guests plenty of notice before the party and ask for RSVPs so you know how many people to expect.

The Setting

The setting—and the star—of your housewarming celebration is your home. The rest is merely icing on the cake. Because decorations may rapidly add up, if you’re hosting a housewarming party on a budget, forgo them entirely and focus on making your home look its best with what you already have. If you want to add some personal touches, buy items you can use after the party, such as string lights, art, or a gorgeous dessert stand for the kitchen countertop.

Let us know in the comments if you want to read more about housewarming parties…