Shared Ownership and Your First Home: Hosting Tips for New Home Owners

Moving into your first home is an exciting milestone, bringing new traditions, experiences and the opportunity to host friends and family in a space of your own. Have you been dreaming of hosting an annual family barbeque, or getting your friends together in your home for a game night? Well, with Shared Ownership – you could.

As Shared Ownership typically requires a smaller deposit than buying a home outright, it could help you get onto the property ladder sooner than you think, meaning those plans for summer gatherings and special occasions can become a reality even sooner.

Hosting in your home for the first time can be equally exciting and nerve wracking, so here’s how you can be the host with the most, this summer!

Planning your guest list for your first home gathering

Think about your guest list and how many people you can comfortably accommodate in your home and/or garden – and remember, the British weather isn’t always on our side, so a garden party could quite easily get moved indoors if required.

Whether you're hosting a housewarming party, summer barbecue or games night, it's worth thinking about what you want to achieve from the event. Is it an opportunity to meet your new neighbours, a chance to catch up with school friends, or a family dinner?

Hosting at home does have some limitations when it comes to space, particularly if you've recently bought your first home, so keeping your plans to a smaller circle can help everyone feel more comfortable.

Keep track of your guest list by asking for an RSVP by a certain date – you could do old school paper invitations, or if you’re more tech minded, a poll in a WhatsApp group is an easy way to see how many people plan on attending your event.

Easy food ideas for stress-free hosting at home

Your guests are there to spend time with you, so the longer you can spend out of the kitchen, the better. If you're a first-time homeowner, choosing simple dishes can make entertaining much less stressful.

Many supermarket chains offer great selections of ready-made party platters that are perfect if you're aiming for a relaxed, low-maintenance gathering.

Or if you’re hoping to impress with your cooking skills, opt for dishes you can make ahead of time that then just need to be heated through in the oven – a lasagne is a good option for this! Pair it with some nice garlic flatbreads and a red wine, and your guests are unlikely to complain!

Don’t forget to consider dietary requirements too, to make sure everyone feels comfortable and catered for. Ask about allergies and preferences on your invites, to give you enough time to prepare any alternatives. 

Simple ways to get your guests involved

There are lots of ways you can make people feel comfortable in your home, and one of the best ways to do this, is to involve them in the party preparation. Whether you ask them to bring their favourite board game or add some tunes to a shared playlist, involving them in small ways can instantly create a more relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Have you seen the bring a board evenings that are trending on TikTok? We think these are a great idea! Everyone is assigned a colour, and they bring a board of snacks and drinks that are in their colour. For example, someone assigned pink might bring a multipack of prawn cocktail crisps, some rose wine and pink sweets like Chewits. Why not give this a go at your next gathering?

Hosting in your own home is a rite of passage for many first-time buyers. We hope these tips help you feel more confident as you welcome friends and family into your new space and enjoy being the host with the most.

Not on the property ladder yet, but hoping to take that jump?

If you're dreaming of hosting friends and family in a home of your own, Shared Ownership could help make that goal more achievable.