More often than not, especially in summer, this means a sports party, a movie night or a swim and a braai, says Berry Everitt, chief executive of the Chas Everitt International property group.
He offers the following tips for a happy house-warming event:
◆Provide safe parking. Move your own vehicles out of the way if necessary.
◆If some of your guests smoke, prepare an outside area away from others and with an ashtray or two.
◆Make sure you have plenty of water, tea, coffee and juice available, as well as alcoholic drinks.
◆If you are preparing the food, be sure to include at least one vegetarian choice in your meal.
◆Do as much as possible ahead of time so you are free to be with your guests.
◆Designate a place where people can put their coats and bags or change into swimming gear if it’s a pool party.
◆If your pets tend to get over-excited around strangers, shut them in the back yard or a spare room, at least until everyone has arrived and settled in.