Moving into your new WA Country Builders home is certainly an exciting time! A fresh start, a new layout and an opportunity to finally get organised. Now its time to share the excitement with your friends!
I think we can all agree that you want your guests to be comfortable, entertained and satisfied. With that in mind, here are our five must-haves for throwing an enjoyable party.
The guest list: It is important to invite a good mix of friends, family and co-workers. The key here is to keep in mind the size of your house and invite the right amount of people to accommodate the space.
The invites: If you choose to send invites out, a good rule of thumb is to send them out a month and a half in advance of the party before peoples calendars fill up! It is always a great idea to include an RSVP date so you can plan food and drink accordingly.
The menu: When it comes to the menu keep it simple and stick to basics that you know your friends will enjoy. Don’t go over the top or they may be too terrified to try the food!
If you are serving alcohol, bit size nibbles are best so guests can enjoy them while standing around and chatting. Also, be mindful of dietary requirements and include a range of foods – vegetarian options and gluten-free choices.
If you want to sit back and relax the night, why not let a caterer take care of it all for you!
The drinks: When it comes to drinks, treat your guests to a variety – beer, wine, champagne, liquor and soft drinks are must-haves. If you aren’t hiring a bartender, you may allocate an area of your entertaining area as a drink station to make it easy for guests to pour their own drinks.
The house: This is the time to make your new home shine! Setting the tone and the ambience is very important as people will be touring your new home.
Although people will understand that your home may not be 100% complete, you can still decorate your home with hanging pictures, cushions and rugs to give it a polished look. A few well-placed candles, a stocked powder room and background music will make all the difference in your guest’s perception of your new home!
Planning the layout is your next step. You may wish to utilise your living area and kitchen as the heart of entertaining your guests. Consider opening up doors between your living areas and alfresco to create a seamless entertaining area.
We would recommend keeping the food and drink separately to prevent guests from congregating to one area. Make sure you also provide adequate seating for guests.
Details: Don’t forget the finer details! If it is winter, ensure you provide coat racks, umbrella storage and heaters. You want to make your guests as comfortable as possible.
Lastly, be mindful of your neighbours. Inform your neighbours that you will be hosting a housewarming party and be sure to turn down the music and dim the lights if the party runs late into the night – or early morning!
