Friday, December 18, 2009

Neighborhood Traditions- Progressive Party

Welcome to my block. It's a nice block, filled with nice people. Last year was the first holiday we spent living here and we found out that our block has a wonderful tradition that happens every year around the holidays. Everyone gets together to throw a "Progressive Party".

Essentially what happens is you start out with soups and salads at one house, move to the next for appetizers, and then on to the last for desserts. It's a blast and a great way to connect with your neighbors that you may not know all that well. What better way to get to know someone than over food and drinks?

About a month prior to the party someone takes the coordinators role, picks a date, prints up and distributes a flier asking:

One- If you'd like to attend and what you'd like to contribute (soup, salad, app. or dessert) and...
Two- Would you like to host?

Everyone is also asked if the suggested date works for them. As long as the great majority are able to attend on that date it sticks.
A Townhouselady's Block


Once everyone returns their fliers to the coordinator we choose the host houses and get back to each person coming/contributing letting them know who will be hosting the food category that they'll be contributing to so they can coordinate with them on the details (dinnerware, drinks, time to drop off food, does it need to be heated/refrigerated etc.).

On the day of the party, the hosts are ready to go and the buffets are set up. We start at the soup & salad house and spend about and hour, or so, at each. By the time we get to desserts most people are good and loosened up by libations and food and we linger at the dessert house until the evening closes.

We're having ours tomorrow night and I expect it'll be another year of great fun. Is there anyone else who does something similar? Or better yet, have I inspired you to start the tradition in your neck of the woods?

10 comments:

Laura said...

What a wonderful tradition! It has a very old time (in the best way possible) feel. I don't even know my neighbors who live down the hall, must less down the block, but I imagine I might like to....a party would be a good way to get it started!

chateaudelu said...

Is this the party that is keeping you from meeting em in the city? I guess you can slide, this year! Happy holidays to you and the fam. xo-Lucinda

The Townhouselady said...

Actually it's another one!. it's been a crazy busy year.

You too Lucinda! have a blast with your peeps and homies.

Jill said...

I've always wanted to do this. I hope you take pictures.

I seem to be a picture whore though...you may be more ladylike...Townhouselady afterall!

Fifi Flowers said...

OOoooh FAB buildings!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

My Mom does one every year. Such fun!

SpryOnTheWall said...

I wish we did something like that - sounds like so much fun. My life has been void of fun lately so I'm jealous :o) You all have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! Love your neighborhood!!! Hugs!!

Jill said...

My Mac crashes almost everytime I visit your blog. I wonder why? I'm still learning about Mac...so it may be me. I just "force quit" then come back and all is right with the world again...weird, huh?! How did the dinner go?

The Townhouselady said...

Jill- I'm sorry! That's frustrating to say the least.

The party went great. We were smack in the middle of our big blizzard so the streets were eerily quiet except for the revelers hopping from house to house. The food served up this year was really good and everyone had a great time. We ended up across the street singing carols while our neighbor played piano (thanks David!). Perfect night!

The best part was that while most everyone on the block was sleeping in late nursing their hangovers one of our neighbors took it upon himself to shovel down most of the block! So waking up to clean sidewalks after a blizzard is a Christmas Miracle indeed (thanks Carlos!).

Jill said...

Carlos sounds like a man filled with REAL Christmas spirit. I'm glad you had a great time. I would like tromping in the snow, going form house to house!