Spread Holiday Cheer
With a Progressive Dinner Party

A progressive dinner party is a simple way to spread holiday cheer or start the New Year while getting to know your neighbors. Whether in a smaller town like Allen, TX or a big city like Dallas, TX, a good time can be had by all. The main premise behind a progressive dinner party is that a group of neighbors plan a meal together where each course is served at a different participant's home. This has become an annual tradition for the residents of Brandywine Drive (in Lost Creek Ranch of Allen, TX) and each year has proven to be an enjoyable and entertaining evening.

Here are a few steps for organizing such an event:

• A flyer about an initial/planning meeting can help get things rolling.
• Select the hosts. A good number is 3 to 5 houses; this is an excellent way to show your neighbors your beautiful home (and/or to display that project that you have been dying to show off). A good way to get people to sign up is to have the Organizer pass out a festive flyer down the street with sign up times and have people call to choose their desired time slot.
• Send out the invitations to your neighbors. Request RSVPs and include the times and addresses of the hosts' houses.
• Follow up with guests who haven't responded and remind hosts of the event a week before the party.

Tips:

• A sample outline for the evening: the first house serves cocktails and hors d'oeuvres; appetizers at the second home; a first course such as soup, salad or pasta at the third house; the main course served at the fourth house; and desert at the fifth house. Or you can simply alternate between cocktails and hors d'oeuvres instead.
• Remember to keep it short and sweet. 30-45 minutes for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and dessert. 45-60 minutes should be plenty of time for the main course.
• Choose recipes that can be made ahead and simply reheated and served when the guests arrive.
• Leave the kids at home as they can be a handful as you move house to house. Share a sitter if possible and get to your know your neighbors!

Ryan Cave, The "Caveman"
Truth, Honor & Personal Integrity
214-789-9366
www.CaveRealty.com