Housewarming - actually

 Ever since learning the term "housewarming" I've been a bit curious about why it would be called that. Why would we call it a housewarming when we invite a lot of people over to the place we've recently moved into? Why not a "new house party" or a "snack and see", to borrow the "sip and see" of a baby shower? Of course, I've since looked up the origin of the word and it turns out that people would actually bring firewood with them to a housewarming party and work to warm up the new house for its owners.

And then I spent a few months in Kenya. Where we were staying, in the Nairobi area, the nights are cool and the days are warm, and the weather is temperate enough that no one has central heating or cooling. In a place like the islands, on the coast next to the Indian Ocean, we might wish for air conditioning. There in Nairobi, however, a house that's been moved into recently is distinctly chilly. 

And what better way to take the chill off than to invite a bunch of people over and spend time with them cooking, telling stories, eating, and playing with a baby? I'll tell you, the house was distinctly warmer afterward! 

So, next time your house is cold, I won't say not to turn on the heat... but... also consider inviting a bunch of friends over and you might find afterwards that the chill is gone.