A Good Neighbour Party
Dust off those patio lanterns; outdoor entertaining will soon be here. Set the date now for a friendly neighbourhood drop in that gives potluck a whole new meaning.
Get Organized
Send a letter to neighbours inquiring about interest in opening their doors as hosts for a house-hopping party. A half-dozen addresses is manageable, giving everybody an opportunity to visit each home and indulge in some delicious eats (think of it as an adult trick-or-treat!).
Choose A Theme
Have neighbours sign up in advance to prepare a themed food or beverage to have available at their stop. Pull on neighbours' multi-cultural backgrounds-one house could showcase their Italian roots, another their British heritage. Assign a musical theme structure-- rock, opera, jazz etc.--and layer in complementary food and beverage. Or turn to the vineyards of the world, showcasing a country's varietal at each stop.
Get Acquainted
Day of the event set out a patio lantern in front of hosting homes signalling their open door participation. If weather permits, encourage gatherings on front porches to get some street ambience happening. Include a route map in the invite. As an ice breaker, create a list of trivia questions about each hosting household with a prize going to the winner who gets the most correct answers.
Start simple, and watch this neighbourhood gathering grow into an annual event!
