Housewarming parties are one of my favorite things to attend when a friend moves but I have never thrown one. Until now! Check out my tips for how to host a simple housewarming party!

Over the last 10 years I’ve moved around a LOT. Partially because I don’t like to stay in one place for too long and partly because decorating a new space is FUN. I’m not a huge fan of the packing and unpacking part of moving but I’ve pretty much got it down to a science these days.

The one thing I’ve never done before after a big move, though, is host a simple housewarming party. Why would I not do that?? It’s all my favorite things rolled into one. Good food, entertaining, and a new space to celebrate. So after my most recent move I couldn’t let another one go by without a shindig.

Last year Gloria Ferrer sent me a couple bottles of their wine and I used it to make this amazing chardonnay cake with raspberry buttercream. Oh. My. Word. It was so good and since the roommates aren’t chardonnay fans I made the most of a tough situation 😉

So when Gloria Ferrer offered to send me some more wine, this time of the sparkling variety, I couldn’t turn it down! I mean Gloria Ferrer wines have earned over 500 gold medals and 50 90+ scores in the last 5 years. Who says no to that? Plus the wines are so amazing you can keep the food easy and still throw a raging party. It’s not fun if the housewarming party is complicated and you spend all your time in the kitchen!

My best tip for hosting any party is to start with easy food. If you can make it ahead of time do it! I made these caprese bites because they’re so simple and I can put them together the night before. Plus they’re always a huge hit! Another make ahead favorite is this whipped feta dip. I always pull it together the night before and let it sit in the fridge overnight. The flavors really marry that way. Plus it’s one less thing to do the day of the party.

Anything you can throw into the crock pot in the morning so it’s ready by party time is a definite plus when you’re hosting. And meatballs are never a bad idea. These sweet and spicy meatballs have exactly 6 ingredients and the recipe easily doubles and triples for a big crowd! Don’t cram your new place full of guests though. Give everyone enough space to move around, admire your new abode, and easily chat with other party goers.

Then there’s this spicy raspberry cream cheese dip. Because I can’t possibly throw a party without cream cheese. Inspired by my cousins who brought a spicy raspberry jam to Christmas one year I fell in love with the combo of sweet jam + spicy Sriracha + salty crackers. There isn’t really a better combination. Plus it’s super easy to throw together for a party!

My favorite though might be these brie bites. (don’t miss that recipe below!) Just. Yes. These will have me hiding the extras under a napkin so no one eats them every time. Salty, creamy brie + a sweet jam or jelly has been one of my favorite flavor combos since I first tasted brie with my best friend during our post graduation beach road trip. We had it baked into a sheet of puff pastry then but these bites are even better! A little fluffy, a little crunchy, a little cheesy, a little sweet. It’s all my favorite things in one bite!

And then there’s the wine. Because who can throw a housewarming party without wine?? Gloria Ferrer is one of my favorites and not just because they’re the first sparkling wine house in Sonoma Carneros, but also because they’re the first to bring back clones from France to plant their vineyard. Their sparkling wine paired so well with all these sweet and savory bites and was best served chilled!

To keep it chilled throughout the party without worrying about ice buckets just wet a towel, wring it out, and freeze it for about 30 minutes before your guests arrive. Wrap the towel around the bottle and enjoy cold wine throughout the evening! A little hostess tip from me to you 😉

Brie Bites

Name: Brie Bites
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Yield: 16
Ingredients: 1 8oz tube crescent rolls; 4 oz brie cheese,, cut into 1/2" chunks; 5 Tbs apple jelly*

Yield: 16 bites

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Ingredients

1 8oz tube crescent rolls
4 oz brie cheese,, cut into 1/2" chunks
5 Tbs apple jelly*

Instructions

Remove dough from the tube and carefully unroll it.
Keep two triangles together to form a rectangle and pinch the seem together to seal. Cut into 4 equal pieces.
Press pieces into an ungreased mini muffin tin, creating a cup with the dough.
Add piece of brie to each cup and bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes or until dough is golden brown and Brie is bubbly.
Immediately remove bites from pan and let cool on a flat surface.
Let cool for about 5 minutes then add about 1 tsp of jelly to each. Serve warm.