I need items for my new home. Can I host a housewarming party?

I just moved into my first home, and I need a lot of household “stuff”. Can I host a housewarming? Should I register for gifts?

There are various beliefs about when, why and how the housewarming began. The most universal is as an old Russian folk custom. When the emperor and empress would pay a visit to a village, merchants and gentry would present their honored guests with a round loaf of bread piled with salt, as signs of hospitality. The bread and salt represented the giver’s wish that the recipient’s pantry always be “plentiful.” Another European tradition asks the guests to bring bread, salt, sugar and wine with these blessings: “Bread so that you shall never know hunger.” “Salt, so your life shall always have flavor.” “Sugar so your life shall always have sweetness.” “Wine, so you shall always celebrate God’s gifts in your life and in the life of your family.”

I suggest that your hand-written invitations invite your friends to be part of the joyful experience of having your first home –which still needs a “lot of household stuff. Then include the gift registry information.