OT~ Anyone ever host or go to a neighborhood progressive party?

[ampc3]

Ok just wondering if anyone has ever hosted or been invited to a neighborhood progressive party and how it all worked out?

We just moved into a wonderful neighborhood that is very family friendly and we have made some great friends. We want to have a holiday progressive party (I think that is what it is called when you switch houses for each meal?)

Any tips from people on what works and what didn't?? We aren't sure if it will be just adults or include the kids? thinking it will probably include the kids tho.

It will probably be about 5 or 6 couples/families using 3 or 4 houses? I guess I can't figure out how to incorprate all the houses with out this thing lasting all night long~lol!

I am really looking for tips on how others have pulled this off? Did you have other couples help cook/bring things that didn't have there house being used?
How much earlier did you leave when it was your turn to set up?
Any and all help or advice on this would be great??
TIA

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I think this is a great idea and we thought of doing it this holiday season also. Hope you get a lot of responses so I can mooch off of them.

 

[loveabargin]

We are doing this for the first time this year. Here's what we have planned:
6 couples. 3 houses. We're all in the same neighborhood, so we're paring up according to who lives closest to one another. Drinks/Appetizers, Main Course, Dessert. We're doing an ornament exchange also. Hosts will leave 10 minutes before everyone else to light candles, get ready, etc. I'm excited. Hope it will be a new tradition. We already have Monthly Supper Club and Bunco.

 

[luvtogo12]

I did this with a play group on New Years Eve. It was so much fun.
We started at one house for appetizers, the next house we went for soup and salad. From there we moved to another house for the Main Course and ended up at our last house for dessert and to bring in the New Year.
Since there were quite a few families involved, people did double up. The first house, a few families contributed to the appys. The second house one person bought all the salad makings and another made the soup etc.

We all tried to clean up as best as we can in a short amount of time before moving onto the next house. As far as setting up, the only person who had a lot of setting up to do was the house we went to for the main course. The one Dad loved doing this and did not mind missing the appys and the soup and salad. If you are lucky to find that one person, designate them to prepare the main course. I am sure they can find something to prepare ahead of time and really only needs to be warmed up.

Have a great time, this is sooo much fun.

 

[DiznNut]

We have hosted a course at our home and had a wonderful time. It takes careful planning and timing to pull it off. We had one for our children and their parents at our church for the Christmas holidays. They started at the church and then traveled to their first course for dinner. The first home had an appetizer. The second home served a small salad/vegetable tray. The third home served the main course. The fourth home served desert. Then they went out Christmas caroling and practiced for their upcoming play. They ended the evening at our house for fellowship, prayer and milk and cookies. They had a blast and so did we. Each family that prepared food for the meal did their own cooking and by having to prepare just certain items for the progression made it much easier. However, the family that had the main course had more to prepare, but since it was mainly for the children they served a meal made just for the kids like chicken tenders, mac n cheese, etc.that was easy to prepare and easy to keep warm. Don't stress about it and enjoy. My biggest thing was worrying about cleaning my house and keeping it clean until the guest arrived.

 

[gottaluvdis]

We've been doing this for many years in our neighborhood (at least 10 years or so). We call ours a Holiday Stroll. We invite the entire neighborhood (around 30 houses now), but limit it to adults only just because the logistics of having all the adults and kids in the neighborhood would be too much for any one house to hold. We do appetizers, drinks and desserts. We have 3 or 4 host homes. Each host home hosts for about 45 minutes, then we move to the next home. Usually the last home is where people tend to linger longer. The official hours are 7-10 pm, but there's usually a small group that hangs out later than 10 at the last house (it's gone to after midnight many times, depending on the last host). People can opt to host, stroll or both. Sometimes hosts don't stroll because they're busy getting ready to host, but some people do both. Each year we try to get people that have not hosted before, or those new to the neighborhood. It's a great way for new neighbors to meet everyone. Each strolling couple provides a food or drink item. Those of us who organize the stroll each year assign the food items to the host homes. Hosts provide paper products, oven space, etc. Most hosts also have some food or drinks as well, but each host can expect about half a dozen items to come from strollers. We ask strollers to drop food items at their assigned host home before the stroll begins. We have more than 1/2 the neighborhood participate in any given year. There are always those who never participate, but they are invited anyway. We also have a summer block party each year that includes kids since it is held outdoors. It's really fun - you just have to have a few people to do the organizing. Feel free to ask any questions.

 

[kayeandjim00]

We did this with friends and we live all about a max of 6 miles apart but it worked fine. We did drinks, appetizers, and desserts and each couple did a little of each. Each house had a "specialty" drink and a few appetizers and dessert items that were our signatures. It was a blast and it did last most of the night! Have fun! Oh and the next couple would leave 10 minutes or so early and get everything ready and the other two couples would arrive.

 

[disykat]

I've never been to one in a neighborhood, but what a great idea. Proximity will make it so easy!

The best progressive party I've ever been to was when I was single and a bunch of single friends had a "progressive tree decorating party". We did the meal too, but it's no fun to decorate alone and we had a blast doing everyones trees.

 

[ampc3]

Thanks to everyone who responded, you gave me some great idea!
I do have a few questions , What are some good easy main courses that you have used? I am thinking something you can make ahead and just reheat or maybe some type of pasta??

Those of you that skipped the main course and did just apptz and desserts and of course drinks lol! Did it seem like anyone missed the main course? or where there alot of apptz etc??

We don't really want the kids (b/c we want to have fun too) we are trying to figure out if one house wants to be the "babysitting" house and hire a couple high schoolers to watch all the kids? But not sure if that would work out for everyone, so the kids might have to be included, we all have basements etc so that should not be to big a problem. We just think it would be more fun for us without them (hope that doesn't sound mean)

Has anyone who has hosted the main course found that people were not that hungry for the main course after drinking and being at others for appt or salad etc?? I would be mad if spending the time to do the main course then people aren't even hungry!
Keep the tips coming !
Thanks a ton

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Thanks to everyone who responded, you gave me some great idea!
I do have a few questions , What are some good easy main courses that you have used? I am thinking something you can make ahead and just reheat or maybe some type of pasta??
Those of you that skipped the main course and did just apptz and desserts and of course drinks lol! Did it seem like anyone missed the main course? or where there alot of apptz etc??

We don't really want the kids (b/c we want to have fun too) we are trying to figure out if one house wants to be the "babysitting" house and hire a couple high schoolers to watch all the kids? But not sure if that would work out for everyone, so the kids might have to be included, we all have basements etc so that should not be to big a problem. We just think it would be more fun for us without them (hope that doesn't sound mean)

Has anyone who has hosted the main course found that people were not that hungry for the main course after drinking and being at others for appt or salad etc?? I would be mad if spending the time to do the main course then people aren't even hungry!
Keep the tips coming !
Thanks a ton

I am looking for some food ideas too!!

 

[dismom301930]

We do this in our neighborhood every summer. We have five families and we do three houses - appetizers, main course, and dessert. The two families that don't host contribute side dishes to the main course. We have a great backyard with a swingset so we usually host the appetizers so the kids can play outside. The family with the most seating on the patio does the main course and the family with the fire pit (smores!) and finished basement (movies for kids at night) does the dessert. The couple without children and the family that lives a little further away don't usually host. It works out well this way for us.

Has anyone who has hosted the main course found that people were not that hungry for the main course after drinking and being at others for appt or salad etc?? I would be mad if spending the time to do the main course then people aren't even hungry!

Yes, the first time we did this people ate too many appetizers and were kind of full by the time the main course rolled around. Now I don't make quite so many appetizers and people seem to pace themselves better. But it can happen!

we are trying to figure out if one house wants to be the "babysitting" house and hire a couple high schoolers to watch all the kids

I love this idea and I might suggest it if we do a more "grown up" progressive dinner some year!

Have fun!

 

[ampc3]

so everyone that has done this in the past, do you plan about 45min to an 1hour at each house, and then the last house longer?..
I am thinking maybe for the first time we will skip the main course and just do what others have appts, dessert and drinks. I am drawing a blank on what to serve for a main course for a big group that would be easy ??

 

[J. Galt]

We used to do this every year when I was a kid and I just loved it...so last year we tried in it our neighborhood. We had four houses (appetizers, salad, main course, dessert) and about 6 families (kids were included). The families who didn't host a course in their home were each in charge of one side dish for the main meal. We held it on New Year's Day (since none of us with kids really goes out on New Year's anymore). It started at 3:00 (so you could still sleep in) and ended around 7:00 (because everyone had work/school the next day ). We had one neighbor who was the "time keeper". She would call out when it was time to move on to the next house (we kept a pretty tight schedule to fit everything in... otherwise you will find that everyone lingers at the 1st house and then you are rushing at the end). Everyone liked keeping the schedule shorter and tighter (it didn't drag on at all and everyone got home at a reasonable time). We decided to keep thing casual, because everyone wanted to watch football and no one had room to seat all these people. Last year the main dish was Italian beef sandwiches (catered from a local restaurant - that neighbor doesn't like to cook, lol). I have the main meal this year and I am doing fancy heated sandwiches (turkey, brie and apple butter, for example). Then I don't have to miss too much of the salad course. The kids had a blast (new toys to play with every hour or so!) and obviously, the adults did too. Each hosting family had a signature drink at their house, along with beer/soda/juice boxes for kids. I had dessert last year and I had coffee and dessert martinis (which were a HUGE hit). At the end of the night, we pick from a hat to see what course you have next year (and the rule is you don't have to have the same course two years in a row).


Have fun!!!!!!!

 

[ampc3]

We used to do this every year when I was a kid and I just loved it...so last year we tried in it our neighborhood. We had four houses (appetizers, salad, main course, dessert) and about 6 families (kids were included). The families who didn't host a course in their home were each in charge of one side dish for the main meal. We held it on New Year's Day (since none of us with kids really goes out on New Year's anymore). It started at 3:00 (so you could still sleep in) and ended around 7:00 (because everyone had work/school the next day ). We had one neighbor who was the "time keeper". She would call out when it was time to move on to the next house (we kept a pretty tight schedule to fit everything in... otherwise you will find that everyone lingers at the 1st house and then you are rushing at the end). Everyone liked keeping the schedule shorter and tighter (it didn't drag on at all and everyone got home at a reasonable time). We decided to keep thing casual, because everyone wanted to watch football and no one had room to seat all these people. Last year the main dish was Italian beef sandwiches (catered from a local restaurant - that neighbor doesn't like to cook, lol). I have the main meal this year and I am doing fancy heated sandwiches (turkey, brie and apple butter, for example). Then I don't have to miss too much of the salad course. The kids had a blast (new toys to play with every hour or so!) and obviously, the adults did too. Each hosting family had a signature drink at their house, along with beer/soda/juice boxes for kids. I had dessert last year and I had coffee and dessert martinis (which were a HUGE hit). At the end of the night, we pick from a hat to see what course you have next year (and the rule is you don't have to have the same course two years in a row).


Have fun!!!!!!!

I like the idea of an afternoon or Sunday with the kids.. And I guess I was thinking more "fancy" foods for main dish, but I love the idea of casual sandwich type stuff...
What was your dessert martini?? I love martinis....
When you do the salad house, are you talking just a green type salad fancied up?
Thanks again..... I don't think any of us have room for a formal type "sit down" dinner for more than than 3 or 4 couples. I like the casual sugguestions!

 

[malibuconlee]

so everyone that has done this in the past, do you plan about 45min to an 1hour at each house, and then the last house longer?..
I am thinking maybe for the first time we will skip the main course and just do what others have appts, dessert and drinks. I am drawing a blank on what to serve for a main course for a big group that would be easy ??

What about a spiral sliced ham? You can put it in a turkey bag in an electric roaster (just make sure to use toothpicks to secure it around the ham to keep from touching the sides of the roaster). I put pineapple slices on top and mix the juice from the can with brown sugar then pour over. Keeps it nice and moist.

Then you can just come in a few minutes early to take it out of the roaster and put on a serving plate. We did this for Christmas the one year we hosted on Christmas day. We had to be at my mom's for the morning, then had to drive 45 minutes back to our house to host DH's family.

I've seen recipes floating around for crockpot potatoes to go along with. And for veggies, take a couple of bags of frozen mixes drizzle in olive oil salt & pepper and throw under the broiler for a few minutes. With a head start on the others of 10 or 15 minutes you should be good to go.

 

[ampc3]

Yes, that could be easy enough, I'll have to start thinking of stuff in the crockpot.. But I think I am leaning towards subs/sandwichs stuff or just skipping the main course... Still interested in the salad part? regular greens or what??

 

[MM27]

My aunt and uncle do that every year in their neighborhood, but it's strictly alcoholic beverages and snacks.

 

[gottaluvdis]

We've found is easiest to do appetizers, drinks and desserts because we have around 15 couples strolling in any given year. It's not practical for our group to do main course dishes. We've always found we've had way more food than is needed. Most people like to socialize and mingle and eat finger foods, and there is always a ton left over. If something is a particular favorite, we've been known to bring it along to the other host homes. My DH's Christmas punch is always a favorite, and inevitably gets lugged along!

As far as kids, the host homes usually keep their own kids at home - the younger ones are usually in bed, and the older ones are upstairs or in the basement, out of the way. Last year we let DD10 and some other girls from the neighborhood hang out at our house, and we checked in on them in between homes. We live on a circle, and it worked out just fine. We hosted a couple of years ago and let DD stay up in our room and watch TV. Once kids are college age, they usually join the stroll. We've also hired high school kids from the neighborhood to babysit DD when she was little during the stroll.

 

[Daytonamom2]

We have done this in the past also for our Christmas party. We had three houses. The first with drinks and appetizers, then my house with heavy appetizers instead of a main course(boiled shrimp, hot pizza dip, sliced ham and lots of other things) and the last house with dessert bar and entertainment. It was fun to see everybodys house all decked out for Christmas. The fun thing we did was to have an orniment exchange. Everyone wore an orniment on a ribbon around their neck. Some were funny, some were fancy and some were just plain ugly. But that was the fun of it. Everybody had to exchange one time at each house. So you might take the one you want from someone but get stuck with the ugly one. Everybody had a good time with it. My husband ended up with a huge sleigh that some had painted Rose Bud on. We laugh every Christmas when we unpack it.

 

[ampc3]

so it seems like 3 or 4 houses is the number to stick with.. Thanks for all the tips and ideas. I have alot of planing and organizing to do!