ᐅ Topping-Out Ceremony and House Completion: Who to Invite, Who Not to, Traditions?
Created on: 11 Oct 2013 09:29
A
Anirbas
Hello,
Although our topping-out ceremony is still some time away, I wanted to ask in advance.
How was it for you? Who did you invite (tradespeople, family, friends, neighbors)?
How much did the topping-out ceremony cost you, and how many people attended?
For those who celebrated it in winter, did you use patio heaters (costs)?
Who usually provides the topping-out wreath/tree?
We are still considering whether to invite only tradespeople and neighbors. But from what we hear, family and friends also expect an invitation...
Thank you very much for your opinions and experiences.
Although our topping-out ceremony is still some time away, I wanted to ask in advance.
How was it for you? Who did you invite (tradespeople, family, friends, neighbors)?
How much did the topping-out ceremony cost you, and how many people attended?
For those who celebrated it in winter, did you use patio heaters (costs)?
Who usually provides the topping-out wreath/tree?
We are still considering whether to invite only tradespeople and neighbors. But from what we hear, family and friends also expect an invitation...
Thank you very much for your opinions and experiences.
alexm86 schrieb:
Who else has celebrated a topping-out ceremony? Our roof will be installed next week, so it’s time for the topping-out party, but with this cold weather, no one really feels like it We have! And we often repeat this celebration in a similar way with our neighbors: casual and curious about each other.
And the cold won’t bother you much as long as you have a dry place to sit.
Those in our new housing development who organized a topping-out ceremony and invited neighbors widely gained a new community spirit and, in some cases, new friends. Others haven’t even learned each other’s names yet.
The tradespeople probably don’t find the celebration as exciting anymore.
The site manager came with our sales representative and brought a wreath. So, we ended up with two. There was homemade chili, beer and sparkling wine, and the older generation mingled with the younger.
Of course, colleagues and acquaintances were invited too, so we were proud and busy all day and evening, which was great!
In return, the other topping-out ceremonies were also interesting and entertaining.
You can’t make a better welcome than that.
P.S. Printed invitations, quickly copied, reached everyone.
Neighborhood is, in my opinion, also the most important component here. While construction workers are increasingly reluctant to attend topping-out ceremonies and spend even more time on site, the future neighbors sometimes actually “expect” such a ceremony. This seems to be especially true the more rural the location.
Other rituals often simply belong to proper etiquette. Examples include “hanging the wreath” (move-in) and “taking down the wreath” (after a few weeks of living in the house). These are often accompanied by a (more or less) small gathering with drinks. Neighbors are usually happy about the new addition to the community, and this is often clearly noticeable.
Of course, this is usually a very good way to start building contacts and it’s also a lot of fun.
At our topping-out ceremony, close to 60 friends, acquaintances, family members, and neighbors came, and it was a really great day!
Other rituals often simply belong to proper etiquette. Examples include “hanging the wreath” (move-in) and “taking down the wreath” (after a few weeks of living in the house). These are often accompanied by a (more or less) small gathering with drinks. Neighbors are usually happy about the new addition to the community, and this is often clearly noticeable.
Of course, this is usually a very good way to start building contacts and it’s also a lot of fun.
At our topping-out ceremony, close to 60 friends, acquaintances, family members, and neighbors came, and it was a really great day!
S
Sebastian7915 Oct 2015 07:20We had our topping-out ceremony at 26°C (79°F), and the neighbors decorated and placed the traditional topping-out tree.
About 50 people attended, and there were grilled sausages with bread plus drinks.
As the homeowners, we first had to find the last rafter using a divining rod, then we were allowed to secure it on the roof.
It was a great day, and we deliberately invited fewer people to avoid overcrowding. The neighborhood came first, followed by friends and family.
About 50 people attended, and there were grilled sausages with bread plus drinks.
As the homeowners, we first had to find the last rafter using a divining rod, then we were allowed to secure it on the roof.
It was a great day, and we deliberately invited fewer people to avoid overcrowding. The neighborhood came first, followed by friends and family.
We decided to skip the topping-out ceremony because the construction manager told us that, given how quickly houses are built nowadays, the workers would have to celebrate a topping-out ceremony every three days. They would probably prefer to be at home.
Family and friends live too far away, and the neighbors were all busy with their own house projects and likely had better things to do.
Family and friends live too far away, and the neighbors were all busy with their own house projects and likely had better things to do.
We held a big topping-out party, which is common in our village, and we wanted to do it the same way.
Of course, we invited the craftsmen, neighbors, close family and friends, as well as colleagues from work.
My mom got the topping-out wreath from the gardener since we didn’t have time to make it ourselves.
The drinks were sponsored by my boss and were obtained on commission from the beverage supplier.
For food, there were frankfurters, as well as a small buffet with sandwiches and cake, which our mothers and aunts brought.
It was a really great celebration in mid-April, with beautiful sunshine, so everyone stayed outside in front of the house for a long time.
Of course, we invited the craftsmen, neighbors, close family and friends, as well as colleagues from work.
My mom got the topping-out wreath from the gardener since we didn’t have time to make it ourselves.
The drinks were sponsored by my boss and were obtained on commission from the beverage supplier.
For food, there were frankfurters, as well as a small buffet with sandwiches and cake, which our mothers and aunts brought.
It was a really great celebration in mid-April, with beautiful sunshine, so everyone stayed outside in front of the house for a long time.
B
Bauherren201415 Oct 2015 10:59We also celebrated a topping-out ceremony, which I consider an important tradition.
Invitations were only given by word of mouth. Several tradespeople attended, even though some had a long way to get home, as well as friends, family, and some neighbors. I agree that the neighborhood here is almost the most important element. Many of our neighbors have also held topping-out ceremonies, and as Yvonne already mentioned, some friendships have developed from them.
The temperature was almost 30°C (86°F) in July. We had homemade open-faced sandwiches, fruit and vegetables, and suitable drinks. It was a wonderful day and evening that we remember fondly.
Invitations were only given by word of mouth. Several tradespeople attended, even though some had a long way to get home, as well as friends, family, and some neighbors. I agree that the neighborhood here is almost the most important element. Many of our neighbors have also held topping-out ceremonies, and as Yvonne already mentioned, some friendships have developed from them.
The temperature was almost 30°C (86°F) in July. We had homemade open-faced sandwiches, fruit and vegetables, and suitable drinks. It was a wonderful day and evening that we remember fondly.
Similar topics