Housewarmings have long been a tradition for new homeowners—a way to celebrate the milestone of moving into a new space alongside friends and family. However, as economic realities shift and social norms evolve, this custom is beginning to feel outdated, making way for more practical and meaningful alternatives.

Takeaways New Hide ▲

Decorating parties transform

moving into a collaborative,

community-building experience

Guests help organize

and decorate, not

just bring gifts

Event focuses on

practical progress like

furniture assembly and decor

Decorating parties prioritize

meaningful memories over

traditional entertaining expectations

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Today, the cost of living continues to rise, and moving out on your own, without roommates or family support, becomes increasingly challenging. The expectation to furnish and decorate a new home while simultaneously hosting a housewarming party can be overwhelming. Many find themselves in the position of needing to prioritize their spending, often leaving them with partially furnished spaces when guests arrive.

Enter the “decorating party” — a fresh take on the housewarming party that spins the celebration into a collaborative experience. This approach not only helps you settle into your new space but also creates meaningful memories and stronger bonds within your community. Instead of arriving with conventional housewarming gifts, guests become active participants in transforming a house into a home.

What Is a Decorating Party?

A decorating party is exactly what it sounds like: a gathering where friends and family come together to help decorate and organize your new home. This could involve anything from hanging artwork and assembling furniture to arranging bookshelves and setting up your kitchen. The key difference is that instead of bringing traditional housewarming gifts, guests contribute their time, skills, and creative energy to the event.

Benefits of Hosting a Decorating Party

Cost-Effective: Instead of spending money on refreshments and preparing your home for a housewarming, you can direct those resources toward actual home improvements.

Community Building: Working together creates stronger bonds than traditional social gatherings. There’s something special about collaborating on a shared project.

Practical Results: By the end of the party, you’ll have made real progress in setting up your home, rather than just collecting more items to find places for.

Memorable Experience: Every time you look at that perfectly arranged bookshelf or that gallery wall, you’ll remember the friends who helped create it.

How to Plan Your Decorating Party:

Create a Project List

Before the party, make a comprehensive list of all the tasks you’d like to accomplish. This might include:

• Hanging artwork and photos.
• Assembling furniture.
• Organizing closets and storage spaces.
• Arranging bookshelves and decor.
• Setting up entertainment systems.

Match Tasks to Skills

When inviting guests, let them know what kind of projects you’re planning. This allows people to volunteer for tasks that match their skills and comfort levels. Your friend who’s great with electronics might be perfect for setting up the smart home devices, while your design-savvy cousin could help with furniture arrangement.

Making It Fun

While the focus is on getting work done, you can still make the experience enjoyable:

• Create an upbeat playlist to keep energy levels high.
• Provide simple refreshments and snacks that are easy to eat while working.
• Take before-and-after photos to document the transformation.
• Consider having small prizes for different achievements (Most Creative Solution, MVP Organizer, etc.).

Tips for Success

To ensure your decorating party runs smoothly:

• Have all necessary supplies ready (tools, hardware, cleaning supplies).
• Create stations for different projects to avoid overcrowding.
• Consider having multiple sessions if you have a lot to do.
• Make sure you have enough basic tools for everyone who’s helping.

The New Normal

As more people embrace this concept, decorating parties are becoming the new normal for home celebrations. They reflect our current values of practicality, community involvement, and experiences over material gifts. In a time when many are feeling the pinch of inflation and rising costs, this approach offers a way to celebrate new beginnings while creating lasting memories and actual value.