Hello everyone,
Today, the house delivery arrived, or rather, the delivery of the wood (timber frame construction with CLT exterior walls).
I had been thinking all along that we would host a celebration as a thank-you for all the helpers, whether professional or private.
Then today, a neighbor mentioned something about a topping-out ceremony, and I thought that’s the kind of celebration where you invite everyone at the end.
But when I Googled “topping-out ceremony,” it sounded different… like the celebration usually happens while the roof frame is being installed, during working hours and so on.
The house will probably be finished the day after tomorrow, but I haven’t planned any time off or organized anything. Plus, it gets dark quite early.
I also don’t want to come across as stingy.
Do people still hold such traditional topping-out ceremonies, with a wreath or tree, and the symbolic hammering in of the last nail?
What would you do in my situation, and how is it typically done?
I feel a bit awkward because the word “topping-out ceremony” had a somewhat different meaning for me until now.
Best regards,
titoz
Today, the house delivery arrived, or rather, the delivery of the wood (timber frame construction with CLT exterior walls).
I had been thinking all along that we would host a celebration as a thank-you for all the helpers, whether professional or private.
Then today, a neighbor mentioned something about a topping-out ceremony, and I thought that’s the kind of celebration where you invite everyone at the end.
But when I Googled “topping-out ceremony,” it sounded different… like the celebration usually happens while the roof frame is being installed, during working hours and so on.
The house will probably be finished the day after tomorrow, but I haven’t planned any time off or organized anything. Plus, it gets dark quite early.
I also don’t want to come across as stingy.
Do people still hold such traditional topping-out ceremonies, with a wreath or tree, and the symbolic hammering in of the last nail?
What would you do in my situation, and how is it typically done?
I feel a bit awkward because the word “topping-out ceremony” had a somewhat different meaning for me until now.
Best regards,
titoz
My brother had his topping-out ceremony on a Friday afternoon. It was quite traditional, with a ceremonial speech and a little teasing aimed at the homeowner.
Afterwards, there was hearty food and beer/water/lemonade (all rather rustic, due to the cold inside the house; it would have been outside if the weather had been nice). Each carpenter received a snack knife engraved with their name. That had a story behind it: on my brother’s construction site, they usually have a shared snack break. My brother works there full-time and organizes it. He noticed that none of the carpenters had a proper snack knife (and looked a bit awkward sitting in front of bread and salami *g*).
So the knives fit perfectly.
It’s a nice tradition, and you can hang the ceremonial speech framed in your house. I’d definitely recommend doing it. Maybe you have a local caterer or party service who can deliver? (They often also provide the necessary cutlery and plates and take the dirty ones back.) One or two beer garden sets can be arranged quickly (maybe through the party service as well), with drinks from bottles or crates. It’s quite easy to organize!
Afterwards, there was hearty food and beer/water/lemonade (all rather rustic, due to the cold inside the house; it would have been outside if the weather had been nice). Each carpenter received a snack knife engraved with their name. That had a story behind it: on my brother’s construction site, they usually have a shared snack break. My brother works there full-time and organizes it. He noticed that none of the carpenters had a proper snack knife (and looked a bit awkward sitting in front of bread and salami *g*).
So the knives fit perfectly.
It’s a nice tradition, and you can hang the ceremonial speech framed in your house. I’d definitely recommend doing it. Maybe you have a local caterer or party service who can deliver? (They often also provide the necessary cutlery and plates and take the dirty ones back.) One or two beer garden sets can be arranged quickly (maybe through the party service as well), with drinks from bottles or crates. It’s quite easy to organize!