• Plan a housewarming dinner party that showcases the best features of your new home.meal image by kuhar from Fotolia.com
  
  You've unpacked, thrown away the boxes and are ready to enjoy your new home with friends. Show it off to everyone at one time with a housewarming dinner party. Simple or elaborate, this party is about having fun with friends and helping them enjoy your new home with you.
  
  

Heavy Hors d'Oeuvres

• Place hors d'oeuvre stations in different rooms of the house to allow guests to move around the house at their own pace. Supply each station with small plates, napkins and appropriate utensils. Replenish food as needed, or all your guests will end up in the kitchen.
  
  

Potluck Dinner

• Moving is a tough job. Let your guests handle some of the work for you by hosting a potluck. Choose a fun food-oriented theme, such as Mexican, Italian or favorite comfort foods, for example, to guide your guests so you end up with a cohesive dinner menu. With this type of party, you are responsible for the drinks. Keep it simple by creating a fun signature drink for the evening, such as Mi Casa Mojitos. Assign some guests to appetizer duty, some to entree duty and some to dessert duty so you don't end up with six lasagnas and no tiramisu.
  
  

Soup Selection

• Few foods say "home" like a hot bowl of homemade soup. Prepare three or four big pots of soup for your guests to choose from. Make vegetable, potato, minestrone, chicken noodle or even your secret-recipe chili. Add bowls of favorite toppings, including shredded cheese, chopped onions and sour cream, throw in a loaf of crusty bread, and enjoy a casual get-together with close friends.
  
  

Formal Affair

• If your dining room is a show-stopper, highlight it by serving a formal sit-down dinner complete with a white tablecloth and fine china. Use candles and fresh flowers to showcase the room. A format best enjoyed by small groups, pull out all the stops for six to eight of your closest friends. Serve a fresh salad, tasty entree and spectacular dessert. Provide coffee with dessert to encourage guests to linger. It's a lot of work but it will be worth it when you hear the oohs and aahs of your guests.