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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