Pantry Party

[Ellen aka Snow White]

Ever hosted one?? Ever been invited to one??

My sister has purchased her first new home!! I want to throw her a housewarming party but she doesn't really need anything for the house. A friend suggested we do a pantry party. I have never heard of this. Anyone have experience?? If you do a gift registry at Wal-mart, can you include grocery items??? Any insight will greatly be appreciated!!

Ellen

 

[Scurvy]

I haven't ever heard of a Pantry Party before. Since someone buying a new home isn't really a gift giving occasion (except of course for the traditional housewarming gifts like a bottle of wine, salt and bread, a plant, and things like that) I would be hesitant to suggest that someone register for anything. It might come across as "gift grabby".

I think it's really nice of you to want to throw a housewarming party for her, but I think (if I remember correctly) that the new homeowner is the one who is supposed to throw a housewarming party, since the point of it is to invite family and friends into your new home.

What I would do (and did do, when my sister got her first home) is just buy her a nice housewarming gift. And if she chooses to throw a housewarming party, you could always offer to help with it.

 

[nancys]

In the olden days, this was called a "pounding," because friends and family would gather at the new home with a pound of something that could be used in the new kitchen.

It was a good way for the new homeowners to begin their housekeeping with most of the "essentials" ready to use, and was a good excuse for a friendly get-together.

 

[Green Tea]

I have never heard of throwing a house warming party for someone; I also thought it an occasion for a homeowner to invite friends to see the new, or newly renovated, place.

If invited to a party, I would take a small housewarming gift, but I think I would be kind of yucked if the invitation had a registry listed.

 

[Ellen aka Snow White]

I thought that a housewarming party was given by family/friends. If the owner of the house has something it is called an Open House. ??

So is it proper to say we are having a "Pantry Party" come join the fun at Paula's new house?? Just not call it a housewarming??
We really just want to celebrate and IF gifts are brought - they be useful to her???

Thoughts?
Ellen

 

[sau418]

We just moved into a new home and have had several friends over, while we did it just to share our new home with them, one friend brought us a basket with a cake mix, frosting, muffin mix, cookie mix, brownie mix, and a bottle of wine. It was the nicest gift.

I would be uncomfortable with someone else hosting a housewarming party for me, and really uncomfortable setting up a registry for such an event.

 

[Pakey]

I've never heard of such a thing either and I'm not sure how I'd feel if I got an invitation to a new house party with a gift registration or any comments about bringing something for the pantry.

 

[Scurvy]

I thought that a housewarming party was given by family/friends. If the owner of the house has something it is called an Open House. ??

So is it proper to say we are having a "Pantry Party" come join the fun at Paula's new house?? Just not call it a housewarming??
We really just want to celebrate and IF gifts are brought - they be useful to her???

Thoughts?
Ellen

No, a housewarming party is thrown by the homeowner. The party can be in the form of an open house if that's what they choose to have. An open house is a party that spans several hours (or all day, in some cases). The guests are invited to stop by anytime during those hours and stay however long they choose, unlike a standard party where guests are expected to arrive at a specific time and leave when the party ends.

It really isn't "proper" to invite people to a Pantry Party if you are dictating what gifts you expect them to bring. Especially if there's a registry involved. Actually I think that the name "Pantry Party" sort of implies an expectation of a certain sort of gift, so I'd avoid throwing a party with that name even if you don't mention anything else about gifts.

It would be perfectly proper for her to throw a housewarming party, but not at all proper for her to mention gifts. The point of a housewarming party is for the host to give her hospitality to her guests and welcome them into her new home, not for her to receive gifts from them. If someone chooses to bring her a gift, it may or may not be something useful. But it likely will be something like wine or food or some sort, or a plant. People don't tend to give "real" gifts for a housewarming. Of course you can choose to give anything you'd like and think she would enjoy, but you really shouldn't try to control what other people choose to give her, or even if they choose to give a gift at all.

 

[Veronica Lodge]

I have never heard of such a thing either, and it sounds awfully gift-grabby to me to have a registry for a housewarmsing or a "pantry party."


BTW, what do you put on a registry for a pantry party, anyway? Fancy pasta? Imported sea salt? Truffle oil? I ask b/c on the one registry I made I listed things I would love to have but just can't bring myself to buy for myself. And yes, I made sure there were items in all price ranges on the list for guests of any means.

 

[princess momma]

A housewarming party is thrown by the homeowner. It is usually an open house type party, which someone explained already. I usually bring something like a bottle of wine or a baked good to a housewarming party, but gifts should not be expected. A housewarming is an opportunity to show your new home to friends and family. I have never heard of registering for a housewarming party - a bit tacky IMO.

 

[Green Tea]

Unless someone moves directly out of a parent's home into a newly purchased home, aren't they already going to have a pantry of old flour and canned tomatoes from their apartment, or former house?

 

[JessicaR]

Never heard of it. Have to admit I read the title as a 'panty party'!

 

[ontariomonkey]

Ya, not to be a downer but if she is just moving from one home, into a home that she actually owns, why would she need to restock her food supplies? Sounds like a pantry party would be more appropriate for a bridal type shower where the girl is moving out of mummy and daddy's house and setting up a home for her and her Dh.

I think its super tacky to expect gifts just because you purchased a home of your own.

And I know that this is an idea of yours coming from a place of love and not your sister being greedy. I would just offer to help her out if she chooses to do a housewarming.

 

[wdwiala]

In the olden days, this was called a "pounding," because friends and family would gather at the new home with a pound of something that could be used in the new kitchen.

It was a good way for the new homeowners to begin their housekeeping with most of the "essentials" ready to use, and was a good excuse for a friendly get-together.

Yep, I've heard of these. Never been to one before. A friend's church welcomed their new pastor this way.

I think it is a great idea. As a giver this would give me many ideas: a basket of baking supplies, a stash of snacks or bbq/grilling supplies.

 

[ChristmasElf]

A fire extinguisher for the kitchen is always a great housewarming gift. For some reason, everyone seems to like receiving one.

 

[figment52]

I haven't heard of a pantry party in years. The chuch had one for the nuns at the convent every fall at the end of canning season. Families donated a few quarts of whatever food they had canned for themselves for the winter.

It was also called a 'kitchen shower' for the bride to be and you helped build her supply of staples for her pantry.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

No, a housewarming party is thrown by the homeowner. The party can be in the form of an open house if that's what they choose to have. An open house is a party that spans several hours (or all day, in some cases). The guests are invited to stop by anytime during those hours and stay however long they choose, unlike a standard party where guests are expected to arrive at a specific time and leave when the party ends.

It really isn't "proper" to invite people to a Pantry Party if you are dictating what gifts you expect them to bring. Especially if there's a registry involved. Actually I think that the name "Pantry Party" sort of implies an expectation of a certain sort of gift, so I'd avoid throwing a party with that name even if you don't mention anything else about gifts.

It would be perfectly proper for her to throw a housewarming party, but not at all proper for her to mention gifts. The point of a housewarming party is for the host to give her hospitality to her guests and welcome them into her new home, not for her to receive gifts from them. If someone chooses to bring her a gift, it may or may not be something useful. But it likely will be something like wine or food or some sort, or a plant. People don't tend to give "real" gifts for a housewarming. Of course you can choose to give anything you'd like and think she would enjoy, but you really shouldn't try to control what other people choose to give her, or even if they choose to give a gift at all.

A most excellent response! I think you covered it all.

Never heard of it. Have to admit I read the title as a 'panty party'!

What fun deciding what to put on a registry!

A fire extinguisher for the kitchen is always a great housewarming gift. For some reason, everyone seems to like receiving one.

When DH and I got married 25 years ago (3 days ago ), we had a Christmas party that December and someone brought us one. We thought it was great!

 

[Ellen aka Snow White]

Ok so I guess things have changed over the years - and I'm not that old!!!
When you google pantry housewarming parties, the following comes up. I didn't notice the date until I went back to see if I had read it wrong last night!!! I should know just come and ask here first - not try to research on my own!! Thanks for setting me straight!!

"Expert: Patty Sachs - 9/14/2006

Question
My sister just got her first apartment and she and her room mate want a housewarming/pantry party. I am wondering: how do you gracefully ask for both on the invitation without sounding...um tacky? Do you think this should be done? She is already having the guests bring snacks for the party. I think its a little overboard to ask for so much. Help?
If she is having the House Warming party herself...she is being improper right there. A house warming is supposed to be hosted or "thrown" by friends or neighbors or possibly famly (third choice) since it is openly asking for gifts.

If you are planning the party you can suggest the pantry party concept, but it sounds like she has already started it with asking for food contributions.

What people normally do, more properly, is to host an Open House, to give people a glimpse of their new digs. They do not ask for gifts, but graciously accept anything that they receive. The gift is totally voluntary and most people will bring something, if even a token gift and card.

A house-warming is sort of a shower so gifts are more expected--but neither a house-warming or shower is given for oneself. That is what etiquette edicts."

 

[Scurvy]

"Expert: Patty Sachs - 9/14/2006

I must admit, that's a new take on it - I haven't heard that advice before. But of course I haven't heard of Patty Sachs. I tend to rely on Miss Manners and Emily Post - I know I can trust their advice. ETA - http://www.ehow.com/how_2194906_host-housewarming-party.html

Good luck, whatever you decide! I hope your sister enjoys her new place.