What is the difference between a housewarming and an open house? I recently purchased a home, as a first-time homeowner, and I want to invite my family and friends over to see the place. There will be refreshments and a party atmosphere. I'd like to ask people to bring plants for the flower beds but I'm not sure if that's okay to ask or just how to go about it. What do you think?
By Judy
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I hate when people dictate what you should "gift them." I think if someone asks you if gifts are necessary. I would just tell them flowers to landscape your new house would be welcome.
I have to agree that its kind of rude to ask for specific things. Now, if they specifically ask what your want or need then go ahead but otherwise dont dictate to people otherwise.
If you are planning a "party atmosphere" in your new home. That's what it should be a party. You supply the gifts. Do not ask your guests to bring a plant or anything, just their friendship. Glad I'm not on your list of guests.
It is unheard of to ask friends to bring gifts to your housewarming or open house. If you are having a party you never ask for gifts. If you are given a gift consider that a kind and generous thing to be grateful for, but one should never expect a gift.
Guess I'm from the old school of etiquette but you take gifts to house warming. I believe open house is a party and the hosts shows you their home and you may or may not have nic nacs for the guests. Its a party.
Although I'm pretty old, but in my day, a housewarming party was an event given by a new house or apartment owner to "warm" their new home. Gifts were often something you knew or thought they might need; often it was a plant or even something used from your own home, or a homemade food item. An open house is given within a time frame, such as 4-8 p.m., and most attendees would come for about 1/4 of the time, anytime within the stated period.
Very well said! I'm not older well 39 lol but I'm pretty traditional or old soul. You dont ask for things no matter if its a party or open house or whatever. If people are gracious and bring a gift thats nice of them and send a Thank You note but its never put on invitations or anything. You dont ask for things. Your showing off your new home. Gifts dont come into play.
If I were to have an open house for my friends and family would it be acceptable to say "no gifts"? And how would I let people know about it if no invitations are sent? By word of mouth, e-mail or Facebook?
The difference between a house warming and an open house is a house warming is a party to celebrate a new residence. An open house would be an open invitation for a specific date to stop by anytime, as in a Christmas open house ...stop by when you can. I have to agree with the previous posters that requesting gifts is not very hospitable. If you want flowers for your yard, may I suggest getting to know your new neighbors and getting clippings or joinning a local garden club. Also, many swap meets and the like sell plants very inexpensively. Another option would be to ask your guests if they have a cutting from their yards that they would like to share with you.
I may be old but when you had a house warming, it was so your friends could come and see your home. They didn't have to bring a gift but they did and it was always welcome.
Please be kind people! This young lady is just that, young. She is asking for advice, not a talking down to.
Judy, stop and think what you would do if you were invited to an Open House or a Housewarming party. Times change and what was polite some years ago has changed for some people. Mainly young people who have not been taught manners. In my time, an Open House was when someone was having refreshments/ food for a certain time, say 4- 8 pm (all day for Thanksgiving/Christmas) people could come, stay awhile, eat and go during that time. Most would bring what is called a Hostess gift. Maybe a bottle of wine or sparkling cider or flowers.
A housewarming is to show your new home to friends and family. This hostess gift should be something that you know your hostess would like or be able to use in their new home. Like tea towels/set of guest hand towels, potted plant, a nice candle set, something a friend/family would know would please them. Doesn't have to be expensive, a hand made doilie, or a nice picture frame. I hope this helps and that you have a wonderful time enjoying the friendships and family. Great Granny Hugs, Vi
If I was invited to a housewarming I would want to bring something for the house. So why not make it a themed house warming. How about "Plants and landscape ideas for the flowerbeds welcome." That way guests would know what to bring that would truly be appreciated.
Applesauce, I know where you're coming from but I don't feel asking for clippings or starts would be unreasonable. Afterall, the guest list is full of people who I have gifted many times in the past for celebrations that I will never have - bridal and baby showers, children and grandchildrens gifts for years for birthdays, graduations, holidays, weddings, not to mention the numerous Tupperware/candle/Pampered Chef parties over the years.
I thank all of you for your input. I will give my mom a list of things I could use in case anyone should ask specifically. I believe I will include this statement in my invites: The favor of your company is all that is requested. Any landscaping ideas or cuttings/starts of your favorite plants would be welcome and appreciated.
Bless you all and have a wonderful 4th of July holiday!
I know this was several years ago and things have changed. Its considered bad etiquette to ask for specific gifts for a house warming or open house heck even a birthday party. Bridal showers, weddings, and baby showers are a little different and its ok to list a few things you might need. List on invitations "Gifts are not required but appreciated" I guess it really depends who your friends and family are. If your comfortable listing what you want/need then by all means. Otherwise I wouldnt do it. They might not come to another thing of mine again. Ha.
Apparently there are different customs depending on your age group and/or geographic location. I live in Ohio and I'm 30. I've attended many open houses/house warmings, had one myself when I bought my first home. The main point is for people to see your home. But also, when you buy your first home you need so much. Of course gifts are not required but generally if you know some one well enough to want to go to their house warming, you're going to want to give them a gift. I personally really think its nice when the invitation gives some clue as to what the person wants/needs. Perhaps you could request that if anyone has plants from their own garden ready to be divided they could bring "a bit of their garden to yours".
Well, I hope you have a lovely housewarming. And in my circle of family and friends, I know that a lot of people would bring gifts, and so I would tell my mom and best friend that I would really like flowers for the yard, and they would put the word out. I, personally, like to know what people would like. It is so disheartening to spend time picking out a gift, and then find that the person already has twelve or is allergic or has no interest or has themed their tea towels and only uses ones with ducks on, and I have purchased ones with cows. Enjoy!
Both a housewarming and an open house are to celebrate your new digs with friends and family. I always thought that a housewarming was hosted by a close friend, kind of like a wedding or baby shower, but with much lower expectations of gifts. That way guests could contact the official host about appropriate gifts. Generally, it is not good manners to solicit gifts for oneself. An open house, on the other hand is just a party celebrating that you have a new home and guests come and go during the posted hours. The open house is hosted by the person who has the new home. Usually, the only gifts are food brought by the guests to be served during the party, but no gifts of any kind are expected and the host should have plenty of finger foods on hand for the party. Best wishes in your new home.
Housewarming is thrown by a friend or family member. It's proper to register for items needed due to assist with gift ideas but make note to say it's not required to purchase from the register. These days people want ideas so as to not waste money. It's uselly a close network of friends on the guest list that would want to expect to celebrate the new homeowners. But the new homeowner doesn't throw this for themselves. Then once the the new homeowner is settled they throw an open house. Which is merely for mingling and seeing the new home after they are settled. This list of guests is usually a broader list of guests that were not invited to the housewarming. Gifts are not necessary but most do take a little something as a hostess gift.
Hi I'm from the old school. A house warming is something a friend or parents do for their frie d children nice etc when they buy a new home. It's ok to have gift ideas or even register for new things needed due to most people coming are dear friends and would like to purchase something. Or contribute to the gift ideas. It's easier for the guests to have an idea. It's certainly a proper party to ha e for new homeowners. But the new homeowner doesn't throw the party for themselves. Then later after the new homeowner has decorated and settled then they throw an open house. This list consists of close friends and co-workers or not so close. It's merely a party to visit and mingle. Most people do bring a host gift but it would be a bottle of wine, or drinks of choice or something small that is useful of course. But not required. That's my southern two cents. Main thing is by all means enjoy and be proud of your new home!
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