This party can be hosted to spread the joy of having a party around. Several couples or families can host this event. Anniversary parties, retirement parties, Going Away parties, Milestone Birthdays…this format works great for any occasion. A Progressive Party is one in which guests travel from home to home, eating one course at each stop. The joint hosts/hostesses get together to plan the affair and that can be half the fun! Design the invitation to look like a tri-fold restaurant menu or a treasure map, and even include pictures of each host family (easy with access to a color copier). Let guests know which course they will enjoy at each stop, and include a map if necessary. A unique twist would be to rent either a few stretch limousines, or a trolley. Check the options in your city, so that everyone can travel together. Combine the Progressive Party with another theme, and then have each home decorated in colors matching the theme. Check out our "Color Theme-Based" party tips under the "All Occasion Decorating"
section for some terrific and inexpensive decorating ideas that can be carried from home-to-home. The progressive dinner is easiest if five host couples share the responsibility, but can be combined to reduce the number of stops. Ideally, the dinner would work in the following manner:
1st home – appetizers and cocktails
2nd home – soup and salad
3rd home – the main course
4th home – dessert and coffee. This stop is also ideal for photographs, as guests are usually quite relaxed by this time.
5th home – fruit, cheese and liqueurs (easiest preparation), and party favors.
Using paper and plastic goods is a must for this type of party…no-one wants to take the time to do dishes before they leave for the next stop, or face the dishes when they arrive home! Clean up should be a snap, and all the party stops will match!
The last home would also be the ideal stop to play a few games, have fun music to dance to, or a Karaoke sing-along.
