Renting

You’ve found your dream apartment, got your rental application approved, and fully moved in. What’s next? Hosting your housewarming party to celebrate your new space!

But before sending out invitations and stocking up on snacks, it’s important to have a plan to not only reduce your stress, but also ensure your guests have a great time.

Keep reading for tips on how to throw a successful housewarming party in your new apartment.

1. Consider the size of your apartment

The size of your apartment determines how many people can comfortably fit in one setting. So consider the amount of seating you have, what activities you are planning, and the space they require.

If you have a larger group who wants to check out your new place, you can host more than one housewarming party to avoid overcrowding, or establish different time ranges on the same day. For example, family members can swing by from 3 to 5 p.m., then your more party-minded college friends from 8 to 10 p.m.

2. Create an invitation list

Solidifying a date for your housewarming can be tricky, especially when all your attendees have busy schedules. One way to ensure many can attend is by sending out invitations a few weeks in advance to give people enough time to avoid double booking that day.

While sending invitations by casual text might be tempting, using a site like Evite.com or Facebook Events will help people easily RSVP, get it on their digital calendar, and help you keep a head count.

At the end of the day, choose the method that works best for you.

3. Pick a theme for the housewarming

While this step isn’t required, implementing a theme for your housewarming can add some extra fun. Depending on your theme, attendees can dress for the occasion or bring a housewarming gift that’s based on it.

One possibility is a “game theme” where each person is asked to bring a game to play, whether it be a board game, cards, or an online activity.

Additional ways to implement a theme for your housewarming is by offering special signature cocktails based on your new neighborhood or features of your home. Take some time to compile a list of ideas.

4. Make a party playlist

Prepare a playlist of your favorite songs to have playing while guests are mingling among themselves.

In honor of your housewarming, consider creating a playlist that captures the personality of your new home.

Not sure what to add? We’ve curated the perfect playlist based on the best songs about home, from “My House” by Flo Rida to “This House Is Not for Sale” by Bon Jovi.

5. Stock up on snacks and supplies

Before hitting the grocery store, ask those on your guest list if they have any dietary restrictions so you can buy snacks that everyone can eat. If whipping up fancy hors d’oeuvres is not your strong suit, don’t worry—most guests will be happy to nosh on chips, chopped fruit, charcuterie boards, and desserts. Think finger food that won’t require people to sit at a table to eat.

Additional items to have handy are water bottles, cups, cutlery, napkins, hand soap, and (last but not least) plenty of paper towels and toilet paper.

6. Plan activities

Your guests will probably request a home tour and mingle with one another, but you’ll want to plan games or conversation starters to keep the good vibes going. Board games, card games, or games on a gaming system are crowd-pleasers.

If, like you not too long ago, some of your guests are searching for a new apartment, one fun activity to do is the Realtor.com® Great Rental Search Party. This game allows registered participants to win daily prizes by scanning QR codes hidden across various rental listings on Realtor.com.

Registered users will receive daily clues to help locate the city and narrow the search results by using filters, keywords, map draw, and more. Each day’s winners have the chance to win top-tier prizes, including gift cards and free rent for up to one year. The first registered player to find and scan the hidden QR code each day will unlock the instant-win prize. All other players who find and scan the daily QR code will be entered for a chance to win one month of free rent.

Think of it as a virtual scavenger hunt, with some sizable rewards if you’re lucky. Join the search today by registering and visiting our official rules.

7. Set an end time

Having an end time for your housewarming party need not be set in stone, and it certainly does not need to be enforced if everyone is having a good time. But it can be helpful if you’d like to wrap up by a certain hour, or keep any “fashionably late” friends from showing up after the party’s over.