Taking Care Of Indoor Cactus Plant

Cacti are type of plants called succulents, they can be displayed both at the office or at home. Most of the cacti live in habitats subject to atleast some drought, but many live in extremely dry environments, even being found in the Atamaca Desert, which is one of the most driest place on Earth. Most species of these cacti lost its true leaves retaining only spines, which are highly modified leaves. Spines help prevent water loss by reducing air flow close to the cactus and providing shade, as well as defending against herbivores. Did you know that cacti from desert areas, like the Mammillaria and Echinocactus, are plump and spiny while thos that originally grew in the jungle areas are flat or thin and spineless.

On the other hand when we say succulents, they can be referred to as any plant with fleshy parts, like the leaves, stems and roots, usually are adapted for storing moisture in times of drought. Putting a medium cactus garden in the middle of the center table in your living room or at a table top in your office would totally change the environment of the whole area. Medium cactus garden is composed of seven different cacti plants and succulents in a 7" planter, can transform the look of it's environment. Many people think that cacti and succulents require a small amount of water, while it is true that these type of plants are tough, and can usually survive under such circumstances, but they will unlikely not thrive. 

In most cases cactus plant will do well in pots as long as you remember three things. They are the food, light and water requirements. When you bring the plant home, most of the time it is in a pot or planter and has probably grown there for a long time, which means it has used up all the in the soil, So think about re-potting and setting up feeding program. A potted cactus will live and flower in the house if given enough light but not too much and also remember that cactus in pots or planters require more care in watering than those in the ground. Growing a cactus is very rewarding.

A Precious Friend

 

A friend of mine, got admitted at a hospital yesterday because of some chest pains. She undergone some stress test and 2D echo, and now she is just waiting for the results. It was not her first time to be hospitalized, and since her mother and sisters are not here to accompany her, we, her friends are there to help her. We know that she had been through a difficult time lately because of a broken heart, but what we did not know is that, when she is at home she is not eating at all and just lays down on her bed all day long thinking about how her past relationship ended up that way. She did not disclose ay details to us about the causes of her illness, because I know that she does not want us to worry about her situation. She strictly told the doctors and nurses not to tell anything to us too.

We were worried but at the same time, we are all praying that she gets better quickly and that we will help mend her broken heart. When I went to the hospital today, I passed by a fruit stand and a flower shop to buy something for her. Then at the flower shop, I saw a lucky bamboo hearts arrangement on display and bought it for her as a lucky charm. They call it the All My Love Lucky Bamboo Hearts, because it gives good luck to those who are broken- hearted, and I feel that she badly needs it. While on my way to her hospital room, I can not stop smiling because I know that she will definitely love it. Some of our friends are already there when I arrive and when I handed her my gift and explain what the plant is for, we all laughed and the room was again filled with our happy voices.

We do not know when she can leave the hospital, but there is one thing we know of and is sure of, that we will always be there for her no matter what. Because, friends gives us the courage to lift the blinds on our hearts. To open up and show what we generally keep hidden from the rest of the world.

Taking Care of Our Growing Gifts

Sending specialty flowers on special occasions are made easy today because of the extra service that flower shops have offer to their customers. These are payed extra but for people who are busy and can not personally give their gifts , they are very much willing to pay extra for it. Giving plants is a website online that sells growing plants on a specialty designed pot or planter. They came up with the idea of giving or sending gifts that grow instead of the traditional bouquet of flowers which will eventually wither and die after some hours. One of their best selling potted plant this Christmas season is the Christmas cactus in rattan basket. This type of plant blooms at both Spring and Christmas time, and is a very unique and special gift that you could give to a friend or your special someone this season.

The Christmas cacti are popular flowering houseplant which are native to Brazil and are available in a wide variety of colors including red, rose, purple, lavender, peach, orange, cream, and white. There are few things to remember when growing a Christmas cacti, first of all, this type of plant appreciates bright but indirect light. Since, this is a houseplant, you must make sure that it is place in a well-lit location, like near the window, but away from direct sunlight which can stunt growth and burn the leaves, as well as places like near the drafts, heat vents, fireplaces or other sources of hot air. Second is by providing a source of humidity for the plant, if you live in a dry environment. you could put a tray of water next to the plant so that the water evaporates and thus, provides humidity for the plant.

Third, you need to water them with care, make sure that this plant receives the exact amount of water that it needs to grow. Do not over water or under water it, because unlike the other specie of cactus, Christmas cacti is tropical plant and not a dessert cacti. Last but not the least is by adding fertilizers to assist plant growth. Fertilizing is important to keep the plant in good condition, it should be fertilized 2 to 4 times a year with a 20-20 feed, but stop feeding about a month before the buds appear. Having your own plant at home, is also like having a baby because you must make sure that you provide them with your attention, love and care for them to grow happily.

Celebrating Thanksgiving Day with Special People

We celebrate Thanksgiving day every fourth Thursday of November, it is a national holiday in the U.S. and one of the major holidays just like Christmas and New Year. Thanksgiving is a part of the broader holiday season. It was during the Civil War when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Fathers who dwelleth in the Heavens and also a day of giving thanks to the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. Prayers of thanks and special thanksgiving ceremonies are common among almost all religions after harvests and other times.

It is traditionally a day for families and friends to get together for a special meal. A turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, pumpkin pie, and vegetables are always present in the table of every home during Thanksgiving day. In some cities and towns thanksgiving day parades are held, it also marks the opening of the Christmas shopping season. It is also a very popular time for trips and to visit family and friends because of a four day weekend, people have more time to spend with their loved ones. Today, I have received a very special gift from my best friend, it is an orange anthurium in brown embossed tin container. I wasn't expecting for any gifts from her because she told me that she can not visit me this Thanksgiving day because she will be spending it with her family. But, I was shocked when she entered the house and she even bought a gift for me.

She notice that lately I have been more interested in plants compared to any material things so she bought me something that I could treasure for a very long time and that she would check on it every year on Thanksgiving day. I promised her that I will take care of it and make sure that it will grow and bloom beautifully. This Thanksgiving day was made extra special because of the gift plant that I received from my best bud.

Worry-Free Air Plants

I strongly agree in the saying that "change is the only thing that is constant in this world", because everyone change, humans and animals alike. Even the environment changes from its true form as well as the weather. As a beginner in gardening, it is very hard for me to choose plants that I could maintain in all four seasons, especially during this winter. I am thinking of adding greens inside the house instead of adding plants in teh garden because of the winter. I didn't wasted my time and grab my laptop, and search online for plants that I could maintain at home. There are many options and suggestions that the internet has provided me. But one thing that really caught my attention is the air plant, because they are very easy to grow and less maintenance is needed.

Air plant or Tillandsia magnusiana, is a soft silver leaved specie that prefers good air movement. It is naturally gown horizontally so that the bottom of the plant can be on a vertical axis, and that way it can prevent water from collecting at the base of the leaves which can oftentimes cause the plant to rot. Air plants are an epiphyte, this means that this plant doesn't need soil to grow but instead, obtains water and nutrients from the air. I have searched for online sellers of this type of plant and it would be best if they have shipment because I don't have much time to visit any plant shops. Then I came across the website of Givingplants, good thing is that they are selling a tear drop terrarium kit with airplant, it's like hitting two birds with one stone. I don't have to worry where I will put the airplant since, it comes with a terrarium already and they will be shipping my order within 2 days.

For more information about the terrarium plants as well as other house plants you could visit their website or call directly their toll free number for further assistance. You could check the prices and shipment details and fees of these plants online too.

Getting to Know More of the Dwarf Plum

Growing a bonsai at home is such a tedious task, but for gardeners and bonsai lovers all the hard work is nothing because they are looking forward to the end result and not minding the process they have to go through. The natal plum bonsai or also known as dwarf plum is very appealing to the more-experienced bonsai gardeners, but is the first-pick of the bonsai beginners because it is easy to grow. It is an evergreen shrub which develops white and pink flowers, leathery leaves with small rounded tips and branches with thorns. The scent of the flower can be compared to the fragrance of Gardenia plant, and the flowers bloom most of the year.

The natal plum also produced a red to dark-purple edible fruit which contains numerous small seeds. They taste like a giant cranberry and are said to be rich in Vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous. On the other hand, the green fruit should not be eaten because it is very dangerous or poisonous and can affect ones health. If it is eaten before fully ripe, a bitter, poisonous latex is released from the skin. Natal plum is said to be a strong plant because it can tolerate almost any abuse and they can also be grown under almost any conditions except freezing cold. When the are grown under optimum conditions of high heat and humidity, growth is extremely rapid and the rooting of cuttings is gonna be a sure success.

The natal plum bonsai is a good choice as a gift because it can be an additional decor at home due to it's beautiful flowers and edible fruits. The recipient will surely cherish and take proper care of it, because it will surely increase in beauty as it matures through the years.

Plants As Gifts Benefit You

Time is too short.  You will never know what lies ahead that is why enjoying your life today is very important.  You should take all your effort to show to people very dear to your heart how much you love them.  Every day of our life is a gift that is why it is called present, so much so, that you should take this opportunity to appreciate all the things that you have and share it with your love ones.  Being able to live a harmonious life is a blessing and celebrating life to its fullest is something that you should appreciate.

There are moment in your life that you are a little confuse on how you will show your love to those people who are important to you.  Well, showing them your gratitude and love by giving away gifts will  be a warm gesture.  Actually, the price of the gift does not matter but the thought that you remember them are more than enough.  Gifts should not be expensive because people who will receive it will not look into the price but to the thought that you remembered despite your busy schedule.

Flowers is considered to be the most special gift a man could give to his love ones.  But, mere flowers will wither.  It does not stay long enough that is why other people will just give materials things instead.  On the other hand, there is the best alternative that you can give to people you love.  Plant gifts for all occasion is the best replacement for bouquet of flowers.  It guarantees you that it will not wither as long as it is well cared.  It is a gift that will serve as a good house decoration.

Surely, your love ones will always remember your thoughtfulness every time they see your gift placed in the middle of their home.  So, buy some plants as a gift to your love ones and you will discover that its benefits exceed its cost.

Caring for your Ponytail Palm

Ponytail plants are a great, long-lived indoor plants. It is an evergreen perennial growing to 15 feet 6 inches with a noticeable expanded caudex (basal stem structure; also used to mean a rootstock), for the purpose of storing water inside. Despite it's name and palm-like appearance, it is not a true palm but instead a member of the Lily family. It also has earned the name "elephants foot" because of it's bulbous base and also sometimes called as "bottle palm" because of it's base and thin trunk. Native to the deserts of Mexico it is somewhat of a curious landscaping plant outdoors on the patio or even indoors. Giving plants sells gifts that grows, and created a ponytail plant in a bonsai pot. This is a perfect gift for those who loves ponytail plants and for those who wants an indoor plant that does not require frequent watering.

Ponytail palm is easy to care for, drought-tolerant, and makes an attention-getting centerpiece in an outdoor tropical landscape or indoor container. Bonsai on the other hand is the reproduction of natural tree forms in miniature and are mostly grown in pots. Because of the large base of the ponytail palm it will definitely require a larger pot, but growing it as a bonsai plant the container becomes less of an issue for growers of these kind of plant. They are also well adopted to the indoors and even in air conditioning rooms, as long as they aren't over watered and have plenty of bright light. This type of plant is also very resistant to pests and diseases. chewing insects can disfigure the leaves but won't kill the plant itself. The most serious threat to this plant is over watering or flooding which can cause root rot. So be careful not to over water them or leave them outside under the pouring rain.

For orders on the ponytail plant in a bonsai pot, you could always visit their website or call their toll free number for further assistance. All plants are shipped within 2-3 business days, but they also have an option for expedite shipment, additional charges may apply for an overnight shipment.

Celebrating Life

 

When people ask, what is the best gift to give to those who celebrate the coming home of a new baby, I would always answer, it is by giving baby plants in a pot because they symbolizes life and development. A new baby is always a blessing from God and we should always be thankful for this wonderful addition to the family. As a tradition we sometimes send bouquets of flowers to the mother or sometimes stuff toys and balloons and cakes are prepared at home for the home-coming of the mother and the new baby. 

The homecoming of your little angel is always a major event you have probably often imagined. Having a baby also completes the family and the parents as well. There are a lot of things to do before you leave the hospital or the clinic. Being a mother, you must always understand your role to your baby. You must make sure to ask your baby's doctor or your nurse or a lactation consultant if you find yourself wondering about anything. And remember to ask your doctor for the schedule of your baby's first check up or when the baby should have the new born screening test. 

There is nothing more wonderful than coming home with the tiny angel you have been thinking about for the last nine months. I could still remember when I first went home from the hospital, as a first time mom I don't really have knowledge or should I say any experience and there were really times when reality strikes me and my new responsibility would overwhelm me. To be honest I would often times panic when I can't handle the situation especially when my baby keeps on crying all day long. But good thing is that, there are people who offers help especially my friends who became my extra hands and prepared my meals or any other conveniences they may offer. Always be thankful for every blessing and for your family and friends that supports you all the way.

Caring for the Money Tree

Pachira aquatica or commonly known as money tree and money plant is a tropical wetland tree of the mallow family Malvaceae (family of flowering plants with over 200 genera and close to 2,300 species examples of which are okra, cotton and cacao) and is native to Central and South America where it grows in swamps. This tree is sometimes sold with a braided trunk and is commonly grown as a houseplant (it is a plant that is grown indoors in places such as residences and offices) and they are also grown for decorative purposes, positive psychological effects, or health reasons sch as indoor air purification. Braided money tree is the easiest to grow and care for and hence, the very popular plant amongst others because of the superstitious belief that it brings financial good luck, especially when received as a gift rather than being purchased.

The tree is popular in Feng shui as the five leaves that grow on each branch are said to represent the five elements. It is an ideal gift for birthdays, baptism, anniversaries and all other occasions too, for a lifetime of luck to someone special. You can buy them at any plant shop or you can order them online and get it delivered within 2-3 business days. Givingplants sells any type of houseplants and gifts that you can grow just like the braided money tree in Cambridge blue container. The plant can vary from several inches high to seven foot tall and requires minimal care and worry because it is rather hardy and slow growing. It grows best in indirect sunlight and water thoroughly but make sure to let the soil dry out a bit in between watering. You can use container with drainage holes and take care not to over water the plant because it might get root rot.

Its thin trunks are usually braided by growers to add to it's appeal and just use a smallish container because too big container will hold too much water. It will also prevent them from growing too big and regular pruning will also help control it's size. In fact, this tree can grow as bonsai. Plants are like humans too, they need things to be just right and not too much of everything.

The True Meaning of Roses

The world has acclaimed for centuries that the Roses are the the flowers of love. It is great for showing or expressing one love, sympathy, gratitude and many more emotions that we want to convey to others. When you hear the word "rose" the thing that comes to the mind is the faint blush of a fair maiden's cheek, it is not surprising these blooms are a favorite to give and receive. Roses are said to be woody perennial of the genus Rosa within the family Rosaceae (the Rose family) and they have over 100 species as of today. The flowers vary in sizes and shapes and are usually large and showy, in colours ranging from white through yellow and reds. They are often armed with sharp prickles and most of it's species are Native to Asia, with smaller numbers that are native Europe, North America, and Northwest Africa. They say that every color of the rose represents a different meaning, and it all originated from the East and traveled from one place to another. The art of speaking with flowers was first used in Persia where illiterate women of the Ottoman used flowers to communicate since the written language was forbidden.

Learning a little about the Floriography (art of speaking using flowers) of the different colors of roses can help you understand the true meaning and the color you choose can add special meaning to your gift. One of the oldest varieties of rose is the Rosa Alba or the white rose and it has been a favorite of all civilization ancient and modern alike because the white rose symbolizes purity, secrecy, innocence, reverence and worthiness. They are often use in bridal ceremonies because of the wholesomeness and the virtue these flowers bring into mind. On the other hand, Red roses symbolizes true love, passion, respect, and most of all is the thought of courage and respect. A single red rose signifies "I love you" and has been made popular these days because of the many romantic movies. Ranging from a subtle hint of color to deep and bright, pink roses have come to mean happiness, gratitude, admiration, elegance, romance, and sweetness. Pink is not just for girls, and it is not just a pretty color, they have a deep significance when it comes to affections given and received. An admiration for beauty, refinement, and enduring grace is what the pink roses connotes.

Those are just three of the many colors and species of roses that I have differentiate and now that you already know a little about the colorful language of flowers, you could consider using a gorgeous rose bouquet or a mini pink rose in a pink and white designer container to express your message with an added depth of meaning to your loved ones. This timeless method of communication will surely please the recipient.

Knowing More About Cyclamen Flower

A flowering plant brings a welcome splash of colors and usually it is a sign that spring is not too far off. One of the plants that are often for sale throughout the fall and winter as a houseplant are the Cyclamen. It is a small but diverse genus of plants, having 23 species of perennials growing from tubers, and is valued for their flowers with upswept petals and variably patterned leaves. Cyclamen Persicum or as commonly known as the Florist's Cyclamen, has a sweet scented small flowers that are produced on long stems, held upright above the foliage and is a tuberous perennial with a heart shaped leaves and the flowers in shades of pink,red, or white.They can either be grown indoors or can be grown outside but it does not have any assurance that it will survive when the temperature goes below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Cyclamen persicum does best planted in a soil-based potting mix, with the top of the tuber just slightly above the soil line. Flowering time may be any month of the year depending on the species, as for the Cyclamen persicum, it blooms best during the winter. Flowers have 5 petals, bent outwards or up, sometimes twisted and connected at the base into a cup and 5 sepals behind the cup. Ever since, I have heard about the Cyclamen, I always have thought of having it as an ornament plant at home. It was not too long a go, when we have ordered a pink cyclamen in a cambridge blue container by Givingplants, an online shop for gifts that grow. I have searched online on how to take care of this type of plant since it goes dormant fro 2-3 months during summer.

I have learned that during the summer. dormant cyclamen can be kept indoors in a cool, dark spot with good air circulation or outdoors, in a shady pot. Just be sure to turn the pot on its side, if you put the cyclamen outdoors to keep the rain out because the soil can't get too wet during dormancy because the tuber will rot. There are many wonderful cyclamen hybrids available ans since they stay in bloom for a long period, you can choose your plant while the blossoms are open and know exactly what you are getting. More houseplant choices are available online at www.givingplants.com, you can visit their website for details of shipment and prices of the plants.

The Beauty of Pomegranate

Pomegranate is a fruit-bearing shrub or small tree that grows around 16-26 feet tall. This plant is extremely long lived which originated from Iran to the Himalayas in Northern India and has been cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region of Asia, Africa, and Europe. The edible fruit is a berry and between a lemon and a grapefruit in size, 5-12 centimeters in a diameter with a rounded hexagonal shape, and has a thick reddish skin. It is nearly round, but crowned at the base by the prominent calyx, overlaid with light or deep pink or rich red, while the interior is separated by membranous walls and white spongy tissue into compartments packed with transparent sacs filled with tart, flavorful, fleshy, juicy, red, pink or whitish pulp. Pomegranates are used in cooking, baking, juices, smoothies and alcoholic beverages, such as martinis and wines.

The Botanical name for Pomegranate is Punica Granatum and it also vary in size. One of the pomegranate variety nana is a dwarf variety popularly planted as an ornamental plant in gardens and larger containers, and used as a bonsai specimen tree. Givingplants is a trusted online shop for ornamental and bonsai plants, in which you could order for home improvements and decorations or gifts for special occasions and for special people. They also offer a Pomegranate Bonsai Plant that you and your loved ones will definitely appreciate while trimming and shaping as a fun project at home. The only other specie of pomegranate in the genus Punica is the Socotran pomegranate which is endemic to the island of Socotra. Instead of the red fruit, it bears pink flowers and less sweet in taste. 

Pomegranate bonsai plant produce fruits normally every autumn, so if you want to have your own plant indoors you could always shop online. For more detail about the pomegranate bonsai plant, You could check their online page at www.givingplats.com. Prices,order placement, shipment details and packages are all available as well.

 

Plants Help Lessen Stress

An office is a place where professionals meet and they also project an ere of a tiresome and stressful environment due to the different works and task each of these professional perform. We sometimes spend more time at the office rather than our own home because of some projects that you need to finish with such a limited time. As per Wikipedia, an office is generally a room or other area where people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it. But, it doesn't matter what meaning you would use because they both connote the same thing. 

Working at home is very different compared to working at the office. Working at the office means that there is a boss that would check up on your work from time to time and may criticize you or congratulate you depending on the efficiency of your work, while at home, you are the boss and there are no limitations, you can do whatever you want to do and it is less stressful at home because you can wear whatever clothes you are comfortable with, unlike at the office because you need to be at a corporate attire and must always be presentable in front of your co-employees. There are actually many ways that can help lessen your stressful work may be at home or at the office. One is by bringing plants at your workplace, like the ponytail plant in bonsai pot, because they offer more than aesthetic value and studies have shown that they do not just reduce stress but also enhance employee attitudes, increase productivity and improve air quality. 

If you are looking for a plant that you could bring at the office, you could visit www.givingplants.com for a wide selection of plants and flowers as well as information about the prices and the shipping process.

Congratulate With Plants

There are many reason to celebrate and congratulate a family member, a friend, or someone close or special to you. It could either be a new house, a new car and license, a new baby or an engagement that you were not expecting that you boyfriend would propose. A congratulations is like an icing on a cake. It makes the celebration more special because of your sincere greetings and by sending or giving gifts. Either with a toast, a simple wish, a bunch of flowers, or instead give a living plant. Instead of giving cut flowers that will wither and die after a day or two, why not give a congratulations plant, like a mini pink rose in a white designer container. In that way, the flowering plant will stand as a lasting reminder of a big achievement of the receiver and will surely last for weeks, months, or even years if taken good care properly. 

There is a wide selection of plants online that you could choose from. It is made especially for special times like these. At Givingplants.com you would always have something to give on a special occasion for your family, friends and love one. You would have the option for the plant to be shipped directly at your house or to the celebrator's house. And by giving these live or flowering plants, they will surely remember you as they water the plant or as they would display it in their living room. Although traditionally, we give something like chocolates, roses, teddy bears and many more material things, it would be something new, and something fresh to give that special someone a live plants on an elegant pots or planters. 

For additional details about the different plants and the rates or prices of these plants you could check them online by visiting the website, as well as for information about the shipping service and the standard delivery charge. Plants are another way to show or express your well wishes and your appreciation on that special person in your life.

Gifts For Special Occasions

There is a saying, "It is in giving that we receive, I really can't understand the real essence of the message when I was young, but growing up and seeing how sharing to others the blessing that we receive from God had impact the lives of others I was also inspired to do the same thing. It has become a custom that in every occasion we give a gift to the celebrant or to the special people in our life that we will be sharing that special occasion with. One example of a special occasion is our Birthday, that we celebrate every year, we prepare a party for our self and also for our special guests that we have invited to come and spend that special day with. Usually, a special made cake with a dedication and a number candle representing our age will always be present and your guests will always bring something for your special day. 

There are numbers of gifts that we could give to the celebrant, it is either something that the celebrant wants like shoes, bags, dress or any material things that he or she wants or we could also give something that we want the celebrant to have. Live plants can also be a perfect gift to any occasion, since the person shared the anniversary of his or her birth to you. A gardenia plant in a slice birthday cake container by Giving Plants is a perfect example of a gift that you could give or send to the celebrant. Gardenia plants are prized for the strong sweet scent of their flowers and a fragrant favorite of both men and women. Giving gifts that keeps on living will be the most memorable especially with birthday-themed pots made for that special occasion and for that person only. 

You could shop for birthday plants online and have them delivered straight to the celebrant's home. For more details on deliveries and shipping fees you could always go to their website at Givingplants. There you would find different plant type and plants with containers made especially for that occasion.

Happy Housewarming!

Housewarming party is usually held, when a new neighbor transfers to your village or neighborhood. The new comers are the ones who give these kind of party to present their new home and to let others feel welcomed in it too. throwing a housewarming party is also a perfect way to meet new neighbors and for friends to give gifts to furnish the new home. Gifts are customary but not necessary, and they usually are either something to be enjoyed during the party such as bottle of wine or a gift basket with different foods in it or something for the new home like potted plants, a vase or a picture frame. Housewarming gift plants are the best example of a something that we could give to welcome new neighbors and they are less expensive but truly will last a lifetime only if they know how to take good care of it. Bluebirds are the most popular gifts given because they believed that bluebirds will bless the new house with happiness and good luck. 

A home is always a work in progress, so there's no need to wait until your place is at it's camera-ready best to send out invites. Some new comers send out invitations after they have unload all of their boxes from the truck, or sometimes others would have to wait after a week or two before sending out invites. It really depends on the homeowner as to when they want to celebrate the housewarming party but usually it is held within approximately 180 days of moving into a new residence. A housewarming may also be presented as an "open house" where people are free to come and go at any time of the day and it is less picture of your whole household but focuses more on a new feature of your home. 

A house tour is necessary and it should be the main attraction in your housewarming party. Since guests will not arrive all at the same time make sure to make brief couple of tours and never forget to have some interesting talking points while guiding your guests, like a funny story that happened when you first moved in to the house or a cool piece of art that you bought from one of your trip to other country. While one of you shows the guests around, the other should be waiting at the font door to greet the new comers and have them sign the guest book because in that way it will be easier for you to remember the names of your neighbors a lot easier.