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How Can I Combine B'Day Party With a Housewarming?

 Housewarming Party

Dear Polite One,

I would like to thank you. Your site is full of information and common sense.

I am a new homeowner, and my birthday is coming up; I would like to combine the celebrations.  I do not want my guests to bring b-day gifts.

On the invitation I would like to say:  

Please No Birthday Gifts

Your Presence is My Present!

Would this be alright? I do not expect housewarming gifts, but all will be excepted with a SMILE.  

Also, I have lifelong friends, friends from work and social friends, is it OK to stager the time of the party and have one group come between 12:00pm to 2:00pm and one come between 1:00pm to 3:00pm and one between 2:00pm to 4:00pm, so I can be attentive to my guests and enjoy the day.

OR

Should the times not overlap? Perhaps: 12:00pm to 2:00pm and 2:00pm to 4:00pm and 4:00pm to 6:00pm.  Maybe serving hot dogs and potato salad and other side dishes and birthday cake.

Please let me know what you think.

Again, Thank You

Patty

Dear Patty,

Thank you for the compliment.  I’m glad that you like my sight. 

We really shouldn’t mention gifts on our invitations because the focus is still on gifts.  Plus, you would be informing them that although birthday gifts are not expected, “perhaps you (guest) might consider a housewarming gift”.  It may be a bit confusing to your guests.  That said, many are now mentioning “no gifts please” on birthday party invitations because there have been gift crazy people making it difficult to have any type of party without guests feeling worried that they must give a gift.  So, it would probably be best to mention not to give gifts for the party and not separate out the two occasions. 

If you were to stagger your party, those invited to the second shift may wonder if they are second best.  They may wonder what happened earlier and what they may have missed.  Typically, the best way to entertain a large group of people is to plan this as an open house asking guests to drop in any time within the beginning and ending time of the party.  This is so much easier to manage unless everyone decides to come early and stay.  But most often some guests seem to jump in and help.  This is the beauty of the informal open house. 

I like your comment about the housewarming gifts.  One of my favorites was a spoon holder.  I know it seems strange to favor something so small.  But the elderly man who gave it to me took his time to find one that says, “Rebecca’s Kitchen”.  It was such a thoughtful gift.  I love it!  Most everyone who has the same view of gifts we do say that some people have given gifts for this type of party, and these are small and sweet.  One stated that her favorites were the scented candles and a picture of her house framed. 

Enjoy!

The Polite One

More by The Polite One

Why Can't My Friends Host My Housewarming Party?

May I Host a Housewarming Party Without Alcohol?

Is There a Time Limit For Hosting a Housewarming Party?

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