Generally, getting the keys to your own apartment is a big deal for everyone. We are proud, that we finally have them, we would like to show it to our friends.
It is rare, that we are moving into the ready one, furnished apartment. Most often, a lot of modifications and adaptations are still waiting for us, carpentry and finishing works, which - as is known - last for many months. Therefore, a certain type of improvised party has taken hold in our country, called housewarming. The name is a bit of a dialect, a bit youthful - but most often young people get new apartments, it reflects the nature of such a meeting. Nobody can expect a sit down dinner in these circumstances - the window sill plays the role of a table, and places, where we sit down for a moment. All this together creates a non-obliging atmosphere, however serene and joyful.
What should such a party look like from the culinary side??
First of all, it is necessary to consider the equipment of the new apartment. I don't think about hardware here, because ultimately they may not even be there, but about the functioning of basic home appliances. We will plan the menu differently, if the gas stove and oven are working, otherwise - if we only have an electric plate and a heater. When there is no hot water inlet yet, better to give up the plates, ramekins and platters, a stock up on disposable trays and plates, which we will throw away without regret afterwards. In both cases, however, you need to think about the decoration of the room and a large number of vases, because usually all those invited come with flowers.
I would advise you to give up all tissue decorations, colorful lanterns, balloons or streamers - because it is not a carnival party. This way we will also avoid the possibility of a small fire, and certainly more cleaning. Posters are a suitable decorative element for such an occasion. You can decorate the entire wall with them, sticking with pieces of adhesive tape. In the corner, place a large gray with a flowering branch or - in winter - an interesting, dry bouquet in shape, several folding tourist armchairs for older guests and - “lounge” we have actually ready.
Wooden boxes, covered with colored paper or disposable tablecloths, can be used as tables. A nice decoration for such a "table” there will be colored candles set in hollow apples. All "hedgehogs" look very aesthetically” sandwich. These are tiny sandwiches and plugs, stuffed on wooden or plastic toothpicks and stuck in a loaf of bread, a head of red cabbage, cauliflower or half a pumpkin. After cutting the top off and hollowing out the inside, the pumpkin becomes a beautiful container for vegetable salad. We do the same with halves of squashes, which we will fill with various cheese pastes; salty sticks will be used to scoop them up.
What drinks to serve guests?
They should be appropriate to the type of food. If we only serve small snacks (sandwiches, Salads, pasty), cocktails will be the most appropriate, including alcohol-free for drivers, and dry white wine (chilled). If we're going to serve something warm, e.g. casserole, bigos or pizza, one would have to prepare a red dry wine. If we have tripe - then beer is the best. In addition - something to cool down. Any crushed stone will be welcome during the summer, in glass jugs or sodas.
At the end of course, tea and coffee, which we will prepare without much trouble in all conditions. I highly recommend thermos jugs for coffee. Coffee will be great in them, and the saving of time and convenience for the hostess - enormous.
For dessert - ready-made cakes or ice cream brought in a thermos with a wide mouth, for those who follow diets - fresh fruit.
And that's it for our first party in our own apartment. It should not be very abundant, due to some inconvenience. The guests won't stay too long, and if it were otherwise, rather, we attribute it to our social talents. Food is not the main attraction of such meetings.