By DEBORAH A. RANKIE, SPECIAL TO SUN MEDIA
Why wait until every wall is painted and every room furnished to throw an amazing housewarming party?
If you've just moved into your new place, or will be very soon, here are some ideas for throwing your first bash.
To get your soiree soaring, create one-of-a-kind invitations and help your friends and family choose gifts for your new abode: use simple card stock, dollar store scrapbooking materials and paint swatches of your home's colour palette. Custom-designed invitations will provide subtle colour hints -- and if you go with a theme, like adding to your eclectic table and/or stemware collection, will make sourcing linens, vintage finds and accent decor a snap.
Don't have a crafty bone in your body? There's a motherlode of websites like Crane & Co. (crane.com; phone/fax orders only for shipments to Canada) and Oakville Paper Boutique (oakvillepaper.com; prices range $2.50-$5 per custom invitation and printed mailing envelope) for all your custom stationery needs.
At smilebox.com you can send out cost-free e-vites if all invitees are online or you can join their premium club and create a "moveable" invitation melding Smilebox's software with your uploaded personal photos, videos, words and music that you then burn to a DVD and mail to friends and family.
