Happenin’ Housewarming Party Ideas: Creative Gifts, Games & Activities

New house, who dis? Whether you're welcoming a neighbor, throwing your own housewarming bash, or helping a friend settle into their new place, a housewarming party is the perfect way to turn a house into a home – with laughter, friends, and maybe a few friendly rounds of trivia. Here’s how to throw a memorable, low-stress housewarming party filled with thoughtful gifts, fun activities, and helpful hands – thanks to SignUp. 🙌

🎁 Thoughtful (and Fun!) Gift Ideas

Skip the typical wine bottle or potted plant – here are some creative gift ideas that will actually get used:

• “Local Love” Basket – Fill a basket with locally made goodies: jams, coffee beans, candles, or snacks from nearby shops. It’s a delicious (and practical) way to introduce new homeowners to the neighborhood!

• Homeowner Tool Kit – Stock it with a hammer, tape measure, screwdrivers, picture hanging supplies, and painter’s tape for quick DIY fixes.

• “First Night Survival Kit” – Toss in takeout menus, cozy socks, paper plates, disposable utensils, and a local coffee shop gift card so they can relax instead of unpacking.

• Neighborhood Insider Guide – A binder or mini scrapbook with your top picks for local restaurants, parks, shops, and hidden gems.

• Custom Wi-Fi Sign – Frame their new network name and password in a cute, stylish print so guests (and the homeowners!) can easily connect.

• Personalized Door Mat – Funny or welcoming, it’s the first thing guests see – bonus points if it fits their style or hobbies.

• Custom Coordinates Print – A framed art piece featuring the exact coordinates of their new home (sentimental and stylish).

• Board Game Bundle – Include a couple of family-friendly games so they’re ready for their first cozy game night.

• Movie Night Box – Popcorn, candy, a streaming service gift card, and a comfy throw blanket for a first-night-in experience.

• Custom Address Stamp – A personalized stamp or return address embosser is both cute and useful for all those change-of-address notes.

• Recipe Roundup – Ask each guest to bring a favorite family recipe on a card, along with one key ingredient. Instant kitchen inspo!

📝 Pro Tip: Use SignUp to organize a group gift or to let guests claim what they’ll bring or chip in to contribute to a larger item – no duplicate gifts, no group text chaos.

🎲 Housewarming Games & Activities

Turn awkward mingling into actual mingling with a few easy, get-to-know-you games:

• Housewarming Bingo – Make a custom bingo card with phrases like “Asked where the bathroom is,” “Spilled a drink,” or “Said ‘Wow, this kitchen!’” Winners get a tiny plant or a fridge magnet.

• DIY Welcome Mat Station – Set out blank coir mats, stencils, and outdoor paint. It’s crafty, fun, and people go home with something they actually made.

• Memory Wall – Set out sticky notes and Sharpies. Ask guests to write their favorite memory with the host or a home wish (like “May your Wi-Fi never drop!”). Stick them up on a wall for a heartwarming surprise.

• Neighborhood Trivia – Create a mini trivia game with questions about the neighborhood’s history, best restaurants, or local fun facts.

• “Find That Room!” Scavenger Hunt – Create a fun, low-stakes scavenger hunt around the house (e.g., find the room with the navy walls, or the fridge with the gold handles).“Name That Tune – Home Edition” – Play short clips of songs with “home,” “house,” or “family” in the title, and see who can guess them fastest.

• Room Reveal Roulette – Give each guest a card with the name of a room or spot in the house. They must guide a partner there using only yes/no clues.

• Guess the Moving Box – Fill a sealed box with random household items, and have guests guess what’s inside by shaking or feeling the weight.

• Photo Frame Fun – Set up a photo booth corner with a big empty picture frame and fun props – great for mingling and making keepsakes for the hosts.

• Two Truths and a Lie: Homeowner Edition – The hosts share two real facts and one fake about their moving journey or the house’s history – guests guess the lie.

• “Design Your Dream Room” Challenge – Provide paper and colored pencils. Guests sketch their dream room in 5 minutes, then share for laughs and inspo.

• “Guess the Paint Color” Challenge – Show paint swatches used in the home (or similar ones), and have guests guess the quirky paint color names.

• Housewarming Pictionary – Use home-related prompts like “garden gnome,” “welcome mat,” or “window seat.” Bonus points if the host’s home features the item.

• The Great Cupboard Guess – Have guests guess the number of mugs, wine glasses, or cereal boxes in the host’s kitchen. Closest wins!

• “Future Memories” Jar – Set out slips of paper and pens for guests to write predictions of future events in the home (“Your first BBQ will be in July!”). The host reads them aloud at the end or saves them for later.

• “Help Us Grow” Garden Bar – Offer a DIY potting station with mini succulents or herbs that guests can plant and take home – or leave behind for the host’s new garden!

• Signature Cocktail Bar – Create a “Make Your Own Margarita” or “Build-a-Bubbly” bar with fresh fruits, herbs, mixers, and cute signage.

🧑‍🍳 Pro tip: Use SignUp to assign prep tasks like bringing DIY station supplies, setting up stations, manning the drink table, or bringing ice, cups, and supplies!

💡 Planning Ahead = Less Stress

Whether you're the host or the helpful friend, SignUp makes it easy to plan, coordinate, and delegate all the moving parts – so you can enjoy the celebration instead of stressing through it.

• Create a SignUp to organize setup and cleanup crews 🧽
• Enlist hspaelpers to pitch in on party decor and supplies 🎊
• Coordinate potluck-style food and drink assignments 🧁
• Share links with guests ahead of time for a smooth experience ✨

🎉 Wrap It All Up with Gratitude

Send a thank-you note (or text!) after the party – and include photos of the festivities or a group shot. Bonus: use your SignUp list to make this easy. 😉

Ready to plan your best-ever housewarming party? Let’s get this house party started!

About the Author

   

Tara McAdams

Digital Marketing Manager, Content Strategist & Creator

Tara leads content strategy at SignUp and creates a variety of resources on a wide range of topics – including lifestyle trends, parent tips, prep for holidays, volunteer management, and event planning. More about Tara →