Invitations for the housewarming party

Moving into a new home is worth marking, and the housewarming is the British way of doing it — opening the door to friends and family, showing them round and christening the place with good company. It might be a relaxed afternoon with tea and cake, an evening of drinks and nibbles, or a full party once the boxes are finally unpacked. An online invitation is the simplest way to gather everyone, share the new address and, crucially, make sure people can actually find you.

The occasion takes whatever form suits the house and the host. A casual open-house afternoon where people drift in and out; a sit-down supper for close friends; or a proper party with music once you have settled in. Numbers range from a handful to thirty or more. In our experience the new address is the detail that matters most — guests who have never been before need a precise pin, the flat or house number, and a word on parking or the nearest station, or you will spend the afternoon talking people in over the phone.

A good invitation carries the host's name, the new address, the date, the start time (and an end time, for an open house), and a note on what to expect — drinks and nibbles, a meal, or a full evening. Many hosts add a line on gifts; a bottle for the house, a plant, or simply 'just bring yourselves'. Whether children are welcome, and whether to bring a dish, both help people plan. A warm, homely template suits the spirit of the day.

The digital format earns its keep here above all because of the address. The link, with an embedded map, goes out by WhatsApp, email or text, and a Google pin opens straight into the sat-nav. Replies count themselves so you cater the right amount, and you can resend the link in a tap to anyone who mislaid it. No printing, no posting, no cost.