How to organise a housewarming party

With almost everything unpacked and all of us getting settled into the new (to us) house, I thought it would be good now to organise a housewarming party. Well, not so much of a housewarming, but as a thank you to everyone who helped us move.

1. Choose the date and time for your party – because I’m pretty flexible, I messaged a few of my friends to see which date they’d be available.
2. Set a budget for the party – after all the moving costs, it makes sense to keep to a budget for the party…
3. Decide what kind of party you want to have – we’ve decided that the party is going to be fairly informal. We’ll light up the BBQ, have a few drinks and a few laughs.
4. Make a checklist of everything that needs to be done before the party. Refer to it often, and cross items off as they are completed – well, this is second nature to me seeing I write lists for everything!
5. Decide if you want any activities other than socializing and eating at the party. If so, plan the games or other activities you will include – thinking we might organise a few games or something for the kids to keep them occupied.
6. Choose a menu. This will depend heavily on the kind of party you are planning, but you should decide if you are hiring a caterer, having guests bring food potluck, or if you are doing the cooking – BBQ is on the menu and I’ll be asking our friends to BYO meat and alcohol. I will be providing salads, bread rolls, snacks, beverages, etc.
7. Consider inviting some new neighbours. Since you will be living near them, it might be a good way to get to know them – we’ve only met a couple of the neighbours so this will be a good opportunity to meet the rest of them. But if they decide not to come, at least they know that we’re planning a party and have an idea that there COULD be some noise.
8. Keep track of RSVPs so you know how many guests will be coming – so we don’t over-cater although you can never have too much food!
9. Make a shopping list. Consider food and beverages (and items for serving), decorations or centerpieces – already started this list. Certainly helps when I’m out and about and find something that would be perfect for the party.
10. Guests at a housewarming expect a tour of the new house. So, make arrangements to have your house cleaned, either by you or someone else – most of this lot who are invited have already seen the house but doing a good clean of the house before a party is second nature to me. I can’t imagine having a party while my house is untidy!
11. Important! Don’t forget the thank-you notes – I got a mouthful of slack from some of my friends because I didn’t send them a change of address card (even though they have been here already and already have our new phone number LOL) so I’d better not forget the thank you notes otherwise they might scratch me off their Christmas cards lists ;P

So, I think I have everything covered. Is there something I’ve missed?