Dear Miss Mary,

We’re throwing a housewarming and have accidentally invited WAY too many people.

We’ve only just unpacked… how do we impress new neighbors and old friends at this first fete?

Sincerely,

Lily and Brian

Dear Cutie Couple,

I don’t know how you ‘accidentally’ invite way too many people, or what number ‘way too many’ actually is, but I like your style. Let the party planning begin!

Your new neighbors and old friends will be impressed just by being invited. (And if they aren’t, are they really worth fretting over? Of course not.)
When you have a lot of people to feed, you need small plate food. Tapas is your salvation, sugar!

How to Serve Tapas

You can create a beautiful combination of spreads and dips, olives, pickles, veg, cheese, and meat along with crackers, crusty bread slices and pita. Do a search for other tapas recipes that you can do in bulk and that suit your taste. Think trays of mini sandwiches, or puff pastry/ pizza dough topped with savory and sweet delights that can be cut artistically for many servings. If you’re crafty, add tiny printed signs on toothpicks to identify your cheeses and dips. If your housewarming happens before you know which box your crafts are in, don’t sweat the small stuff.

Plus, if everything you serve is finger-food, you won’t have to fuss with utensils. One less thing!

Set Up a DIY Drinks Bar

You can certainly create a big batch of Miss Mary’s Margaritas and another of Miss Mary’s Palomas to serve in drink dispensers. The flavor is fabulous and pre-making them will keep everyone mixing marvelously. Having a garnish station will step up your game – drinks aren’t properly dressed without one. You can also set up DIY stations for Mimosas and Shandies in case tequila isn’t everyone’s top pick. For a housewarming, you can likely expect that plenty of people will bring you bottles. You can put them out on the drinks bar or tidy them away. Just don’t forget plenty of ice! 

Don't Forget the Ambience

For outdoors, the twinkly light cannot be overestimated for adorableness. Throw them on your bushes, string across trees, etc. for a perfectly charming evening. Last, but not least, create a fret-free playlist that will keep guests guessing – explore some Spanish guitar, or Island ukelele, or unplugged covers to heavy metal songs.  Whatever you choose, make it full of fun and long enough that you won’t worry. The vibe for your housewarming will be festive and unforgettable.

Congratulations on your new home and good luck at your party.