How To Throw A Covid Safe Housewarming

If you have recently purchased a new home, the thought of throwing a housewarming party may have crossed your mind. However, hosting an event during a global pandemic has its challenges, and depending on where you live, restrictions may preclude you from entertaining house guests all together. But the good news is, regardless of your area’s restrictions or lockdown status, it is possible to host a housewarming party that is both ‘COVID safe’ and enjoyable, if you are willing to think outside the square. Check out our tips on how to throw a COVID safe housewarming below, which focus on minimising risk and maximising fun.

Go Virtual

If gathering in person is not an option for you and your loved ones right now, why not consider hosting a virtual housewarming party? Applications like ‘Zoom’ and ‘Teams’ are typically used in professional settings, but they work just as well for social events. Send out e-invites to your guest list a week or so out from the event, with the date and time of the virtual party, along with the video conference link, and voila, your party is planned. Below are some tips to take your virtual housewarming celebration to the next level:

– Choose a party theme and ask your guests to dress up accordingly!

– Send party packs to your friends’ homes the day of or the day before the event, filled with drinks, lollies, and party favours. The treats will serve as a good conversation starter and source of connection, and will no doubt enhance the overall party vibe!

– Kick off the party with a virtual tour of your new home

– Run a housewarming themed trivia game and quiz your guests on your new neighbourhood, your new home, your new neighbours etc!

Have a housewarming month

If gathering limits apply where you live and you are only allowed to have a small number of people in your home at any one time, hosting a series of small, separate housewarming parties over the course of a month might be the way to go. Divide your guest list into groups such as ‘immediate family’, ‘close friends’, and ‘work colleagues’ for example. When hosting these small gatherings, be sure to follow the COVID-19 rules in place, have hand sanitiser and disposable masks at the ready, and clean your door handles and light switches regularly. When it comes to food and drink, consider offering individual serves of food rather than putting on a buffet or share platters, and add name

tags to glassware to prevent any accidental mix ups. And of course, be sure to give your house a good clean between parties!

Backyard bash

If your local area or state happens to be restriction free, you might be in a position to host a relatively ‘normal’ housewarming party. However, bear in mind that even if restrictions have eased where you live, some of your guests might still feel uneasy about large gatherings or may belong to a high-risk group. Therefore, to ensure the safety and comfort of all guests, it may be worth shifting your housewarming party to your backyard. If you have a decent-sized outdoor space, social distancing won’t be an issue and fresh air will be flowing!

Housewarming parties are a rite of passage for new homeowners. COVID-19 may have changed the way we host events, but it is still important to celebrate significant life milestones – like buying a home – one way or another. So before you put your housewarming plans in the ‘too hard basket’, consider these COVID safe ideas and throw a COVID safe housewarming to look forward to!

• SHARE