Thursday, October 25, 2007

Progressive Dinner 101

The mom's group I belong to is having their annual progressive dinner next weekend. It is one of the highlights of the year for our group, where 40 couples leave their small kids and get a chance to unwind. The husband and I decided to be social and host for the very first time. For those that don't know, a progressive dinner is where couples travel from home to home to enjoy apps, dinner, and end up at the final house for dessert.

I already know what I will be wearing... my beloved Michael Stars black v-neck, a sexy black chiffon bubble skirt, my awesome slutty Michael Kors pumps, some hanky panky underwear, and my much needed Spanxs cami (to hold everything in). I think I will go for a string of pearls and matching earrings for some class.

However, I am clueless on what to serve. We have 10 couples coming to our house for light appetizers. I have a budget of $50 and am required to serve a minimum of three appetizers. I would like to have some sort of theme to tie them together. The couples will be here for 1.5 hours so I want people to mingle - meaning I should probably serve fingers foods. What I serve is a reflection of who we are so I defiantly want to serve something a bit more posh and stay away from BBQ cocktail franks and wings.

We have had dinner parties before - those are easy to plan. But a light appetizer menu for 10 couples - ahhh.... I need some help. Any suggestions on themes and food? I am desperately seeking your help.

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I decided that keeping three kids clothed, happy, and fed while being the editor of a monthly 20 page newsletter and starting up my own photography business wasn't quite enough to keep me busy. So I decided to join" National Blog Posting Month" group and post a blog a day in November. I am currently trying to decide on a strategy - I need some type of method for my madness.

5classy comments:

LunaNik said...

I'll get back to you with some app menu ideas, but one thing I have always heard when it comes to gatherings like this is to put the food and the drinks on opposite sides of the room if possible. This way, traffic flows from the drink table to the food table, keeping your guests circulating and socializing instead of just standing around one central location.

P.S. Thumbs up on the Kors pumps!!!

OHmommy said...

Ahhh. GREAT idea. Thanks!

Unknown said...

If you don't want to make anything homemade, here is what I usually do (courtesy of Trader Joes):
Variety of cheeses (my three personal faves are the onion chevre, blueberry or apricot stilton and a brie). Pair with crackers and some preserves (to go with brie).
Spanakopita (spinach and feta is phyllo dough) - the ones at TJ's are delicious.
...what I do like to make that's homemade and pretty simple:
Mini sliders - everyone loves them!! I top one with caarmelized onions and a pickle slice and others with brie cheese - no condiments needed. you can use dinner or hawaiian rolls for the bread.
Chicken Salad on mini-croissants - yes, I do make homemade chicken salad (YUM) but you don't have to. Just go to Heinen's (sp?) - am sure theirs is DELISH!

...i never do a theme thing...i just make sure there is at least one thing with meat.

The Other Jen said...

I can't help you with the appy's as I'm not much of a domestic diva.

But....

You're outfit sounds very saucy!

Love.

chichimama said...

Hmmm. I'm organizing a progressive dinner in March and am on the hunt for ideas as well. I just did our Holiday party last night, and we actually got boxes of appetizers from Costco and they were delicious! We got the pigs in blankets, the veggie tray, and the egg rolls. All yummy.

If you have a Trader Joes near you, the Thai spring rolls from there are sooo good. You could make it an international theme and do one appetizer from each country (cheese: France, spring rolls: Thailand, Bruchetta: Italy, etc.)

Love your blog BTW!

 

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