A few weeks ago, I was asked to share some tips on how to have a successful progressive dinner. If you’ve never been to one, it’s essentially a traveling dinner party. You have hors d’oeuvres at one home, soup and salad at another, entree at another, and dessert/coffee at another. It’s a fun way to meet new people and see the wonderful homes of your friends.
Since there are so many locations and moving parts with this sort of party, it’s a good idea to have a strategic plan in place to ensure fun and success. Written by the fabulous Erin Davis, you can read the full list of my tips here. (Including fun themes to add to your party as it nears summertime!)
Here is a visual sneak peek of an adorable way to do a progressive brunch:
- The ideal brunch start time is betwee 10:30 and 11:00 a.m., so start at the first home with juices of all types: apple juice, orange juice, grape juice, and sparkling water. Hot tea and coffee are also nice touches, but make sure you are able to keep hot drinks “hot” throughout the duration.
- For health nuts, why not try fresh fruit smoothies?
- If your crowd likes something a bit stronger, mimosas are always a popular choice and can be served using champagne of varying price/quality depending on the number of guests you will be serving.
- Add fresh fruit or warm muffins, and your first stop is complete.
- Make your next stop one with an omelet station, pancake or waffle station, or pre-made quiche buffet. (You can find frozen quiche at every grocery store or CostCo for a reasonable price.)
- A platter of cold cuts, fresh veggies, and assorted cheeses/nuts are a simple way to fill the bellies of your guests.
- Breakfast breads like banana nut bread, zucchini bread, or cinnamon coffee cake make easy-to-serve entree additions.
- Recommendations: Paula Deen’s Crab & Asparagus Quiche Cupcakes and delicious Muscle Muffins. (You can watch a short video where I learned to make Muscle Muffins!)
- Breakfast tacos or enchiladas are also a fun way to incorporate a little Latin flavor. Wholly Salsa has THE best variety of delicious and healthy salsas if you want to add those to the mix. The link includes a $1.00 off coupon!
Make your last stop the big pay-off. Dessert, dessert, dessert!
- If you find ice cream to be too heavy for an early brunch, give sorbet or sherbet a try. Garnish with a blackberry or raspberry for a gourmet touch. If you are serving a large group, forgo the sorbet dishes and offer clear, plastic cups with disposable spoons for easy clean-up.
- Pastries of all kinds are a great way to end the party. Kolaches, Danish, and doughnut holes are crowd pleasers.
- You can buy a chocolate fountain cheaply (I once saw one at Best Buy of all places.) Buy small wooden skewers and fill bowls with marshmallows, fresh strawberries, bananas, or even Rice Krispie treat bites to dip in the chocolate. My husband also loves small bits of Angel Food Cake to dip.This is always a hit!
- Finish with coffee, water, or a light lemonade to whet their whistle.
Make sure you eat a doughnut and relax before cleaning up the mess….you’ll deserve the treat.
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