Housewarming – Now Who Thought of That?
Moving into a new home is exciting and fun. It may not be new, but it is definitely new to you, and the excitement builds as the moving date gets closer.
Some of the fun is planning the décor, yes even dreaming of colour swatches and decorator themes. Of course there are some down sides, like all that packing (my God, where did all this stuff come from) and leaving your old neighborhood with teary goodbyes.
Well we can’t do much about all those boxes, but the teary goodbyes are not at all necessary because ‘you are going to have a housewarming party’! It is tradition,you really should do it! It is good etiquette. It tells the friends you left behind, that they are not forgotten and are welcome at your new home and it introduces you and your family to your new neighbors. If your new neighborhood is like the one we moved into about a year ago, it will also give your new neighbors a chance to meet each other.
Now how do you think that this tradition came about? It is practiced globally and is said to have originated in several different cultures. It is impossible to know the true origin, as it reaches far back into history. It is even said that cavemen started it when someone moved into a new cave. They would bring coals from their fire to start the fire in the new cave. I’m sure this couldn’t have happened too often, I mean, how many new caves were there?
Russia is the country most mentioned as the originator of the housewarming. The story goes that a Russian couple presented bread and salt to a dignitary passing through their town, and a tradition was born. Many other countries and regions, like Germany, Eastern Europe and India have stories as well and the traditional housewarming gifts all have meaning.
Bread-so you will never be hungry,
Salt-(sprinkled at each door entrance) to ward off evil and to bring good luck. Also to give life savor,
Honey or Sugar-for a sweet life in your new home,
Rice-for fertility (you might want to think twice about this one in case it works)
Hot embers-(I can’t imagine giving this one, I mean, how do you wrap it?)
Broom-to sweep away any evil,
Candle-so you will always have light,
Wine-for thirst,
Olive Oil-for health, and last but not least a
Plant-for long life (long living and healthy, it would not be a good sign if the plant died)
Today, giving a broom might be looked upon as a bit chintzy, but you can still stay with tradition by elaborating on one of the above. For example, how about a nice decanter for the olive oil, already filled or salt and pepper shakers also filled? It is also nice to include something that explains the meaning of the gift.
Who ever initiated the tradition, caveman (woman) or other, gets kudos from me. I can’t think of a better way to warm my house than with a gathering of old friends and possibly new ones.
Elizabeth GoughMoody lives with her husband and two adorable cats. She is passionate about etiquette and all of the niceties that make life enjoyable. she is the author and owner of [http://www.etiquette-andmanners.com]
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Tags: family, house, living, neighbors, party