Housewarming Traditions From Around The World

By csheaffer@helenadamsrealty.com - December 20, 2019

The most exciting day in real estate is the day you get the keys and walk into your new home for the first time. With negotiations and paperwork behind you it’s time to see the life you’ve envisioned become a reality. Once you’ve settled into the new place, you’ll want to take the time to ensure the home feels just right for you and your family. Housewarming traditions are like cutting the grand opening ribbon, a celebratory event that marks a special occasion and the start of a new chapter. There are several fascinating traditions around the world that have become popular from list to close during a real estate sale.

Bury St. Joseph

For many homebuyers, the first step towards buying a new house is selling your current home. The selling process can be stressful, with homeowners wondering how long it will take, what kinds of offers they’ll receive, and more. One common tradition when selling a home is to bury a small statue of St. Joseph in the yard, upside down. This is believed to bring good luck to the house and family living inside. For condo owners and those who don’t have a yard, consider swapping in a pot near the front door.

Paint Your New Porch Haint Blue

You’ll find that most front porches in the American south are painted a light haint blue. Why? “Haint,” another word for haunt, comes from an old belief that haint, or haunted, spirits cannot cross water. Painting your front porch blue is a symbolic way to keep away bad spirits from your new home. This shade of blue is also used around frames of doors, windows, steps, and other entryways to the home. Added bonus: It’s said to keep wasps and bugs from entering and evokes the open feel of blue sky.

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Host the People Who Helped You Move in

In France, new homeowners typically invite their neighbors over to a pendaison de crémaillère, literally “hanging of the chimney hook.” The term crémaillère refers to an iron rack that was used to hang kettles and cooking pots over a chimney fire. Traditionally, the chimney hook was the final touch on a newly built home. Once installed, the host would have a thank-you party and invite everyone who helped build the house. Put a modern twist on this classic tradition by hosting a housewarming party with friends and neighbors who were instrumental during your move.

Bread, Salt, and Wine

In Russia, there is a popular tale of a poor man presenting his new neighbors with bread and salt to symbolize good health and a long life, along with the blessing, “May this house never know hunger.” Now, all over the world it’s popular to bring baskets of food and spices to your new neighbors’ homes with the same sentiment. In a similar fashion, the gift of wine is known to come with the blessing, “May you always have joy and never go thirsty.” Reference this list online with other common gift basket ideas.

Boil Milk and Rice

According to Vasthu Sastra Indian tradition, milk and rice should be boiled until it overflows the pot, symbolizing purity and long life in the new home. This is one of many Indian traditions necessary to cleanse a new home. In fact, moving into a new home is considered the second most important ceremony only to a wedding ceremony in the Indian culture. Because dwelling spaces are believed to be alive with unseen entities, Vasthu Sastra says that these housewarming rituals and prayers must be conducted before moving into the house.

Moving into a new home is an emotional experience and it’s important to find tranquility in your new surroundings. Whether you call them traditions, rituals, or superstitions, these actions are common ways to find comfort and serenity in a new living space.

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