The hubby and I are going to two, count them two, housewarmings this weekend. The invite conversations were both the same. I get the call with the info. Can we come? Sure (answering for the hubby as I'm the entertainment director in the family). What do you want us to bring? Nothing, just yourself. (Great, I'm thinking, now I have to figure something out.). What do you need? Nothing, just happy guests.
I don't know about you but I'd be a much happier guest if I knew what the hostess wanted. For some reason, hostesses think that not stating a preference is "polite" and "nice."
It isn't. It is a pain in the butt for guests. We all know we have to bring something (in Chinese culture, it is easier, you simply bring cash or gift certificates). Now we have to guess, sight unseen (because that is the point behind a house warming, we haven't seen the house yet), what a couple, and in our case, an older, more established couple, want.
That's why as a frequent hostess, I always have a list of things I need and want for any get together. I leave gaps in my meal planning (usually dessert because then it doesn't matter when guests show up, beverages are tricky because it is needed right away). Friends have things like gardening parties where everyone brings a garden tool (watch out for the hoe jokes though) or pool parties where people bring pool stuff.
This serves as a good starter for conversations also, gets people talking.