Invited to a “shower”

[regentrude]

11 hours ago, ktgrok said:

Interesting, when I think of a housewarming party, the people invited are people you know already, who come to see the new digs. Not new neighbors. 

That's how I know it, too. Usually,  the folks who have the housewarming have all the stuff because they lived somewhere before. Last time, I brought bread and salt for the friend who had her housewarming, which is traditional in some other countries.

I'd absolutely contribute to the household of a young person, but they typically don't have housewarming parties.

Edited July 9 by regentrude

[Faith-manor]

9 hours ago, Catwoman said:

Same here. I think of the Welcome Wagon when I think of new neighbors stopping by with stuff. 

Does Welcome Wagon even still exist? I have no idea! 

I have heard of the term, but not sure how it would be used around here. Maybe what people term here as a house warming is actually a welcome wagon. I swear the United States is just really about 50 individual nations with their own cultures! 🤔

I know when the local church built a new parsonage, and had a new pastor and family moving in, they had a house warming (advertised as such) or at least the local version of it, and I swear that poor man and his wife got 30 casseroles and about 10 huge lasagnas! 😂 I felt bad for them because I know a lot of the local cooks, and they were all likely cream of soup type things. If you don't love cream of soup stuff, then let the weeping begin.

 

Edited July 9 by Faith-manor
Cannot type today

[marbel]

Re: Welcome Wagon - I still remember a welcome wagon lady coming to hour new house in California in 1966.  It was a sort of community organization, staffed (I'm pretty sure) by volunteers. I don't remember much about what she brought but I think there were coupons and flyers from stores and such, probably a list of houses of worship. She sat with my mom for a little bit and talked about the area, sort of giving her the lay of the land. Probably my mom made coffee. Oh, I think the woman brought cookies or something. 

I imagine that the businesses that were on their lists donated $$ to be there, which funded the whole thing. 

ETA: decided to look it up. My memory was pretty good!  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welcome_Wagon

When the company was founded, Welcome Wagon "hostesses" would visit new homeowners with a gift basket containing samples, coupons, and advertising from contributing businesses.^[3] These home visits continued for over 50 years until 1998, when then-owner Cendant laid off the "hostesses", saying that changing demographics meant few homeowners would be at home when representatives called.^[4

Edited July 9 by marbel

[QueenCat]

For housewarmings, I've seen people bring things like plants or decorative items. Possibly wine and fun glasses to go with it. Decorative kitchen linens. Not anything big.