Moving Question

If you do decide to have the party, PLEASE don't register for gifts. I know some people have started to do that for housewarming parties -- so tacky, in my opinion.

That is what the showers and wedding were for. Obviously everyone would think you would move in together, a new place. But having a housewarming party for more gifts is a bit over the top. It would look really greedy if you did invite everyone over with that intention. Maybe you should just invite them and say your company is all we need to make our new home special. That way, if they brought a present, it would be nice, but not an obligation. Time to work for the rest of the things you want yourselves.

Please check out Miss Manners on this. A housewarming party is to celebrate your new home with people you care for, not a gift-giving event. That being said, congratulations on your marriage and new home!

No disrespect to you but to do so takes on the appearance of greedy and oportunistic...You had your wedding shower and your wedding. It is time for the two of you to set-up house without assistance.

We were just invited to a housewarming party and they sent their gift registry information. I have to say, I thought it was very very tacky. I always thought housewarming parties were more about showing off your new home and people would bring things like wine or candles, plants, etc.

Wow. This is going to sound harsh, but really? You're going to have a party with the intent of outfitting your new home? Right in the middle of the holiday season? Sounds a little crass and like someone has a case of entitlement. Geez. Be grateful for the lovely things that your friends and family felt moved to get you out of wanting to add to your happiness as a newly married couple. Do what the rest of us grown ups do and buy the things YOU need for YOURSELF.

So your sister's motive for you all having a housewarming is for the purpose of getting stuff? Tacky. LOL.

If you have a housewarming, it should be to celebrate your good fortune of being able to buy your own home and start your life/family. Gifts should be optional.

Congratulations on your new home.

You could have one but I would wait awhile to let people recover from your wedding and from the Holidays.

If you are moving in next month (January) I would wait to have the housewarming party in March or April.

I must say that I have been to many "housewarming" type parties, but the point of them was for the homeowners to have everyone over to see their place.. never to get gifts for your place.. I must say I would be appalled if I knew my friend was doing it for that reason. People most likely will bring something, but more like a bottle of wine.... you would probably be disappointed with your "gifts"

Your friends just gave you gifts in Sept and to expect them to buy more is fairly rude, in my opinion.

With that said, there is no harm in having a holiday come see our new place party.

I'm with Cindy K...you should not expect people to bring a gift to your housewarming party, although you might get some candles or wine. It's not likely people are going to go back to your registry to see what you still need. YOu just got shower gifts and wedding presents two months ago. If you have a housewarming party, you need to make sure you have food and wine for everyone and no expectation of receiving anything - this is a chance to invite friends over to see your new place, not get more stuff out of them.

It would be fun to have a housewarming party! Just inform your guests "no gifts, please." Everyone will appreciate seeing the gifts they gave you in good use!

Happy holidays!

Hi M. I think that going a little overboard having a housewarming party because you still need a lot for your place. People may feel like you're using them. I know that how I would feel. You just had a wedding shower and not to mention what you got for your wedding and turn around and expect something for a housewarming. If you going to have a housewarming that all it should be and serve food.

Hi M.,

I'm all for "welcome to our new home" parties, but I'm very wary of calling them housewarming parties because I think people feel obligated to bring gifts. If your wedding was 3 months ago, it might cause hard feelings if people feel like you are asking for gifts again so soon.
If you want to have a party, go for it, but go into it with the attitude that you are having people over to celebrate your new home and if they bring a gift, wonderful, but the best gift is their company.

It's probably too soon to look to the same people for gifts again. I'm not very comfortable with housewarming parties anyway. It feels like the host is asking for something. I hope your move goes well either way!

I think it's a little obnoxious to have a housewarming party just to get gifts, especially in this economy. Do you advise people of your registry information on the invite too? I've never seen that before. I would suggest having a housewarming party if you want to casually get together with friends and family. Maybe they will bring you various bottles of wine, chocolates or that type of hostess-style gift. And do it in January so you don't overlap with Christmas parties.

There's nothing wrong with having a housewarming, but the underlying reason should not be to get gifts...especially things that you could very well purchase for yourself. The reason for a housewarming is to share your new digs with family and friends. If someone asks what can we get you, then you tell them. Additionally, the economy is bad all around and housewarming gifts may not be a priority for many people, although they certainly share in your joy.

i am assuming you bought the condo
if so yes you could have a housewarming party

I'm torn on this. I understand why you would want to have the party. on the other hand,
it's awfully close to the holidays and I feel that's asking a lot of your friends when the economy is so bad. I would at least wait a few months if you decide to do it.

You don't have a housewarming party on the assumption you will be getting gifts, that's crass. You have a housewarming party to show your new home to your friends and family. If you do receive gifts typically it is things like wine, or maybe some hand towels etc.

I agree with all the other NO votes and those reasons for having a housewarming party to get more gifts :-( Take the money that you should spend on that party for food & beverages and use those funds to buy a few of the things you still need for your home. If you are on a tight budget, shop resale, garage sales, and check out the classified ads in the newspapers. It is not your friends' responsibility to furnish your home.

Have a party because you are excited about your new place-how wonderful! But I agree that you may or may not actually acquire gifts that you can actually use for your house. More likely, as others already wrote, people will bring bottles of wine, flowers, etc. Enjoy your new place and enjoy your friends, and take advantage of after holiday sales to complete your condo.

It is acceptable to have a house warming party but I would do it in the sping. A house warming party also gives loved ones a chance to see your new place. Once you've moved in and have everthing situation - you'll have a better idea of what you will need and this will also give your guests some time considering they just brought gifts a few months ago.