Celebrating the new year
with a new home? If so, you may be
considering a housewarming
party to break the new place in.
Often homeowner hosts this commonplace party for close friends, family,
and—perhaps—a few new neighbors. The
premise is that you are "warming your home with love."
Not stuff
from others.
While gifts are common,
they are typically small token gifts, such
as candles, picture frames, wine, plants, or a coffee table book. However, gifts should never be expected and
never the focus.
No
gift table. It’s not polite.
There seems to be a bit
of confusion surrounding this simple tradition.
In fact, some are confusing this party with a bridal shower, even
calling it a "housewarming shower."
Regrettably, some homeowners register and expect expensive gifts from
their guests. Frankly, there is no
such thing as a housewarming shower.
A
housewarming shower has never been a thing.
Embarrassingly, when homeowners
act on this confusion, they may appear...well, less than socially savvy. Through the decades, guests to these types of
parties write to me about their disgust.
These comments are not positive.
Heed
my advice and avoid the label: socially inept.
Interestingly, this fad
began as a promotion by a few large store chains. Their premise focused on convincing their
customers to register for
everything. And why not? This is good business, but poor manners. It's also unfair to guests, discourteous, and
illogical. We don't, or at least
shouldn't, create a gift-giving event for ourselves. If it were not so, we could host a birthday
party for ourselves each year, register, and expect gifts and cash.
Ground Hog's Day party
anyone?? I need a shovel.
More by The Polite One
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