A list of resources about apartment living wouldn’t be complete without a how-to guide for how to throw a housewarming party. Moving into a new apartment is certainly a great reason to celebrate, and it’s also a nice opportunity to show off your new living situation for all of your friends. If everything happens as planned, you’ll give your party guests something to talk about for a long time to come. Make sure everything goes smoothly by following these simple steps.
Run It Past Your Neighbors
A housewarming party normally takes place right after you move in, which means you don’t have established relationships with your neighbors yet. Don’t get off on the wrong foot by overwhelming them with unexpected noise and commotion. Keep in mind that when you live in an apartment, it’s possible to hear some noise from the neighbors to your side, as well as above and below you. It’s a nice touch to visit all of the units surrounding yours and let them know you’ll be having a get-together.
If there are small kids in the units, your neighbors may make certain requests about volume levels or ending time. A quick conversation can help you set some ground rules and make sure your party doesn’t get interrupted by an angry neighbor. You may even want to invite some neighbors to join you at the event. It’s a great way to get to know the community, and even if they don’t come, the gesture will help them be more understanding of the noise.
Pick a Date
If there are a few friends that you absolutely need to have in attendance, you may want to talk to them about which days work for them. Once you find out what works for you, your roommates, or must-have guests, you’ll be able to nail down a date. Make sure it’s far enough into the future, even though waiting can be hard. You’ll need time to get everything ready and make sure you’re all the way moved in. It also helps you give plenty of notice for the next step…
Invite Your Guests
Think about how many guests you can reasonably accommodate, and get your guest list together. You can generally assume that you won’t get 100% of the people you invite actually to show up, but don’t bet too much on that. If you get too many people to show up, your place can feel overcrowded, and you don’t want to have to awkwardly uninvite people at the last minute. Think about how many people can sit down or stand comfortably, as well as how many people you want to provide food and drinks for.
As far as the invitations themselves go, there’s no need to send actual paper (unless you want to add an extra classy touch). Facebook is a great way to keep track of who has been invited, and who can attend. If a few people on your guest list don’t have Facebook, you can send the invite by text or email instead. Include a start and end time in the invitation, so people know what to expect. It’s also good to include your address and anything else people will need to find your apartment and get in.
Snacks, Drinks, and Supplies
Unless it’s a dinner party, some light snacks will do. You can order pizza, buy or make some dips, or whip something up in the crockpot. Whatever you decide on, try to get it ready ahead of time so you can focus on enjoying your party during the event itself. As for the drinks, decide if you’ll be providing for everyone or if it will be a BYOB event. Make sure people know if they’re expected to bring snacks or drinks.
Whether you’re providing everything or just a little bit, keep in mind that some people might not want to drink alcohol. Those guests will appreciate it if you have some non-alcoholic refreshments on hand. One great way to save money while still playing the generous host is to make one specialty drink for the party and ask guests to bring supplemental beverages and snacks.
While you’re at the grocery store, it might be good to get some other supplies, like paper towels, trash bags, and toilet paper. You’ll go through a lot more of those things during the party than you usually do when you’re home alone. Disposable cups and plates help too.
Entertainment
Your friends may be entertaining enough on their own, but a good party playlist never hurt anything. You may want to have some other games or a deck of cards, too. Most importantly, have fun!
Apartments for Rent in Phoenix
Don’t get too far into planning your first apartment housewarming party before you’ve secured the venue! Find the perfect party apartment by browsing Heers Management’s apartments for rent in Phoenix. Stop by for a showing, and it will be easy to get excited about your first big event. Contact us to learn more about our available properties!