Etiquette question, Housewarming?

[binny]

Keep in mind that as a child growing up this kind of thing was always handled for us. I was a pastors daughter so we moved into a house that the church owned and anyone coming to the house knew more about it than we did.
People would come and bring welcoming things like canned goods and bounty from their farms, truly, this is how it happened so I have no idea how the "rest of the world" does things in this matter.

I would like to invite some friends over to celebrate our new house. This is NOT a plea for gifts, but rather a celebration that we were finally able to move into something we love and that we can entertain in.
I would really like to invite people from church and have our pastor come and bless the house as well.

Who traditionally throws something like this? Would I send out regular invitations? Or is more like a bridal shower where its tacky to "throw yourself" a party?

Im sorry if this sounds so stupid. Im not normally so clueless LOL.
I honestly have no idea how to do this.

help?

 

[aunt kelly]

I would try getting creative w/ the invitations. I would avoid the term "housewarming." I would say something like "Please join us for our first party at our new house." That way, I don't think your friends will feel pressured to bring a gift.
Whatever you decide to do, congratulations on your new home. I love the idea of your pastor blessing your house.

 

[Beth76]

How about calling it an "Open House". You're inviting people over to see your new home. There's nothing tacky about that.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Friends of mine had a "house blessing" that they invited us to. They had invited their pastor to come and a lot of friends and family, and they also invited their new neighbors. It was in an open house format from 1 pm - 5 pm , with a short blessing ceremony at 3:00. They had light snacks & drinks, gave lots of tours of the house, and had the backyard and a play room set up for kids to hang out and play. The blessing ceremony was just the couple thanking us for coming and saying that they hoped their home would be a place of hospitality and love for years to come, then the pastor said a few words about what makes a home, and then several people and the pastor prayed. Some people brought gifts, and others simply brought food to share.

It was a very casual, fun event. Congrats on your new home!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

How about calling it an "Open House". You're inviting people over to see your new home. There's nothing tacky about that.

This is what I was going to say. My now ex-stepmother did this. She had some finger foods and whatnot. It was nice

 

[golfgal]

There is nothing wrong with throwing your own housewarming party. Send invites and just put a line on there that says something like 'let your presence be your gift" or even simply 'no gifts please'.

 

[skuttle]

I've been to a "house blessing" before. They had food, a bounce house for the kids, etc.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I like the "Open House" or "House Blessing" suggested by others.

 

[mtemm]

we had an open house instead of calling it a housewarming. I pesonally love the term housewarming, but for some reason felt more comfortable calling it an open house. as for invites, all of our friends tend to use evites for things like this so we did the same. if we had been inviting an older generation along with our friends I probably would have gone with more traditional invites.