How to Throw the Most Memorable Housewarming Party Ever

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It's finally happened: You found your dream house/apartment/studio/loft. The furniture's moved in and the boxes are unpacked. What better time to celebrate? Here's what you need to know about hosting your first housewarming party, from planning to follow-up.

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Make a Plan

Choose your party time and type way ahead of time. While most people tend to choose casual drinks and light bites, anything goes. Will it be a daytime drop-in situation where guests come and go over an afternoon? Or something more elaborate, like a fancy dinner party? If you're extra ambitious, you might even want to choose a theme. ('90s grunge? Why not.) The size and scope of your party will dictate how far in advance you should tell people about it.

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Send Out Classy Invites

Paperless Post is a great option if you want to save paper and keep things sophisticated. Be sure to include a "respond by" date, so you know how much prep you'll have to do. If you've decided on a casual drop-in situation (ideal for smaller spaces that can't hold large groups), a week's notice is enough. If you're planning something larger (say, a dinner party), send invites at least three weeks in advance. And be sure to invite your new neighbors! A housewarming invite is a great way to break the ice.

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Prep the Bathroom for Guests

Stock up on toilet paper, air freshener, hand soap and extra towels, and make them easily accessible so people can find them if they need them. Your bathroom will get way more traffic than usual, and you want to be prepared for it.

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Get Creative with Seating

Give people plenty of places to perch. Pull your dining chairs or an entry hall bench into the main entertaining space or put some cushions on the floor. Still have unpacked boxes? Drape them in pretty fabric and offer them up. The more easily guests can find a place to sit, the less likely they'll stand around looking awkward.

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Put Away Valuable and Delicate Things

To make a party really memorable, you'll also want to prevent bad things from happening (otherwise that's all you'll remember from that night). You might be really sad if your great-grandmother's antique vase is accidentally pushed off the shelf, so store it somewhere safe. Same goes for valuables – though you'll likely know and trust everyone at your party, the longer and larger the celebration, the more likely friends of friends of friends (i.e. strangers) are to show up. It's better to be safe than sorry.

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Strategically Place Food and Drinks

The first things people generally gravitate to at a party are sips and nibbles, so strategically place them to show off your home's best assets. If you have a great view, set up the drink station in front of it. Killer kitchen? Proudly display appetizers on your new marble countertop.

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Make the Place Smell Good

An inviting scent will make guests feel right at home. Light some gently scented candles or boil cinnamon sticks on the stove to make the place feel warmer. But don't go too overboard – strong scents might turn some guests off.

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Put Together a Killer Playlist

Great music is the key to a great party. Work on curating a strong playlist ahead of time, or let Spotify be your autopilot. Put some of your favorite songs right at the top of the list to get you into the party mood before guests even arrive.

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Actually Enjoy The Party

It might seem obvious, but it's surprisingly easy to turn into a crazy person who's cooking, serving, bartending and managing guests at the same time. Recruit a couple of friends or family members to take shifts manning the kitchen and drink station, so you can actually relax. Or, if you have the funds, hire a caterer for the party.

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Set Times for Group Tours

People will want to see your new place, but giving every person a separate tour will take all night. Set a time when you expect almost everyone will have arrived and give a group tour then. Or, if you have a dinner, give the tour right before dessert.

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Document the Event in an Unexpected Way

Keep it old school with real pictures, snapping instants and making a photo guest book on the fly. Or, if you want to keep things digital, decide on a custom hashtag for guests to tag their photos with on social media. You can gather them into a printed book later on, if you'd like.

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Write Thank-You Notes

Sure, it's old-fashioned, but it's also elegant and courteous. At the very least, send an email to your guests thanking them for coming. If anyone helped with or brought something to the party, make a point to send them a personal note via email. Want to make your guests feel really special? Send them a handwritten thank-you via snail mail. They'll thank you later.