Around this time of year, I find myself reflecting—taking stock of the year so far and considering what I need more of: not the physical, but the emotional, the connected, the unseen and felt.
Usually an optimist, this year has felt particularly heavy. I decided we need a season of light—to drive out the darkness and rewarm the hearts around us. I also challenged myself to rethink gathering, especially when time feels scarce and traditions look different than what I grew up with.
This holiday season, instead of trying to do it all, what if you embraced one meaningful celebration that brings everything together?
A Progressive Holiday Gathering
Why do we love a progressive dinner—and wait, what is it? Traditionally, a progressive dinner is a meal shared while traveling from one house to another, enjoying various courses along the way—usually cocktails, a first course, dinner, and dessert. More lively versions might include an after-party or after-dinner drinks.
We love this format because it involves a group of people, often comes with a theme, and helps share the expense of entertaining (which, let’s be honest, feels like a win right now!). What we’re suggesting follows the same idea—but with a twist: celebrating all the winter holidays in one night.
Stop One | Vodkas + Latkes
Start the evening with a cocktail hour inspired by Hanukkah—the Festival of Lights. Think modern, multicultural takes on traditional dishes. A global latke bar is a perfect place to start, featuring toppings inspired by cuisines around the world.
Latkes (fun fact: I’m not fond of frying and I don’t like the way my house smells after, I have an open kitchen). There are several shippable options available on Goldbelly. I like Russ and Daughters for a traditional latke. They even have a whole kit. See the chart from Eater below for options based on your preference. If you do want to make your own, Food and Wine Magazine gives you a good step by step. I like their toppings but be mindful about serving pork and shellfish if you have any one attending that is observant.
Toppings – I mean… it’s a potato pancake. You can hardly go wrong here, but the traditional way to serve them is with applesauce and crème fraiche.
Other options:
Crème Fraiche \ Smoked Salmon \ Roe + Dill
Barbecued Duck \ Hoisin Sauce \ ScallionsPulled BBQ Chicken \ Slaw \ Fried Onion
Whitefish or Tuna Salad \ Everything but the Bagel Seasoning \ Capers \ Shaved Red Onion
Sour Cream \ Shredded Cheddar \ Bacon or Facon Bits \ Snipped Chives
Combined with the Latkes, we’re also loving the idea of a savory donut hole bar or mini donut sliders—unexpected, fun, and perfect for sharing.
For the buffet
Cocktail Plates – depending upon how many guests you are hosting you may choose to use a beautiful disposable like these but I am a fan of investing in some beautiful ceramic, porcelain or china to reuse throughout the year.
Cocktail Napkins – lots of options here, depending upon the formality of your event. Casual – I like a nice linen – like a disposable option such as these for a classic option or Caspari for some beautiful patterned options.
Semi-formal – My Drap makes a washable linen-like 100% biodegradable tear off napkin which I think is genius. You can wash and reuse or dispose of them at the end of the night. They are elegant and elevated with a lot of colors to choose from and can be customized.
Formal and sustainable – these swiss dot linen hemstitch napkins are quality and beautiful year round. Have them embroidered locally for an extra special touch.
Other items for the buffet includes:
Platters
Serving Tongs + Pieces
Table Runner or Linen – scalloped hems are on trend and I just adore this blue and white from Anthropologie. It also gives ‘year round’ which I love.
Checklist For the Vodka Bar:
- Cocktail Shaker
- Ice (I always forget the ice – go ahead and assign it to someone when they ask what they can bring
- Ice Tongs
- Ice Scoop
- Champagne Bucket to chill the vodka
- Vodka of your choice – I prefer to support local distillers, but choose what makes you happy and fits your budget)
- Ice Bucket
- Martini Glasses – I like these gold rimmed ones from Sisterly– a BIPOC/Woman Owned company. I also have a few caterers sets from Pottery Barn to keep on hand, they are affordable, less precious and come with a great storage box
Because we love a good rhyme, you could always repurpose this martini bar from Halloween. Add gold-rimmed stemware and perhaps a touch of gold leaf for garnish to give it that festive, celebratory sparkle.
Stop Two | The “Advent”ure Continues
Have fun with this Christmas tradition in a way that feels fresh and interactive: The Cocktail Advent.
Create an advent cocktail menu. Choose 3–4 specialty drinks that you can pre-batch and display them on gift tags – either hanging backward on a board or frame, or get creative with a customizable option. Guests lift a tag to reveal their next beverage.
The cocktail advent is just the start. I’m loving creative advent calendars this season and rounded up all my ideas in this latest blog post.
For the Dinner Menu: We Choose Joy
Christmas is a time to choose joy, and what better way than by serving your favorite foods? Cue Julie Andrews: “these are a few of my favorite things.” Why not serve a full taco dinner or a build-your-own pizza bar? Yes, pull out the fine china and linen napkins—it’s not what you serve, it’s whom you get to share it with.
Stop three | A “No New Year” After Party
We like to think of dessert more as the “after party.” By this point, you’ve already celebrated two holidays in one night. This is where things lean fully into fun, purpose, and intention. Guests who didn’t know each other before now have rapport and shared experiences to build on.
Pull out the mirror balls. We love a good moment to reflect, especially over dessert. So far you’ve toasted tini’s and made merry and you are likely more lit than the menorah and Christmas tree combined… so it’s the perfect time for vulnerability and reflection with people who were potentially perfect strangers about 5 hours ago.
New Years Eve is notorious for false fresh starts, a new calendar and the belief that some how the “I resolve to…” list gets reset. I don’t know about you, but it always leaves me feeling like I should have done more. Instead we are rewriting the script on setting the story straight. You DID do a lot in the last 365 days and I’m guaranteeing you didn’t stop to celebrate all of those wins, no matter the scale. Did you do a little dance every time you booked a new client. Or raise a glass because you made it through another round of interviews? Hell. That you got an interview?
I encourage you to not only think about the changes you want to make but also the habits you are willing to commit to, to achieve those changes. That is the true resolution. Oh, and don’t wait until you are hungover on the 1st. Go ahead and suit up for change right now.
I also encourage you to pull out the paper and pen again and have your guests write down one or 50 things that they accomplished this year and that they are proud of, didn’t celebrate enough or haven’t said outloud. Everyone should go around reading slips outload. We think that is something indeed to raise a glass to.
Takeaways + Tips for Your Progressive Holiday Party
\ Keep it flexible. Allow guests to move at their own pace from one “stop” to another, and don’t overcomplicate the schedule.
\ Mix traditions. Pull inspiration from multiple winter holidays—food, drinks, games, and décor.
\ Share the work. Make it a potluck-style celebration or assign each stop to a different host to reduce stress and increase collaboration.
\ Set intentional moments. Incorporate conversation starters, games, or rituals like the “No New Year” reflection to create meaningful connections.
\ Focus on joy, not perfection. Whether it’s taco night or fine dining, the heart of the celebration is togetherness and laughter.
\ Use creative presentation. Cocktail advents, decorative boards, and themed tables make the evening feel magical and engaging.
\ Document the memories. Encourage guests to snap photos or leave little notes to remember the celebration for years to come.
The holiday season feels different for everyone. It’s a time when people are acutely aware of what they have—and what they don’t. A progressive holiday party flips the focus back to what really matters: joy, cheer, light, reflection, community, and real human connection.
By opening your doors, sharing, and creating new traditions, you cultivate space for togetherness, generosity, and belonging. Regardless of what you celebrate—or don’t—this season is about opening our hearts, minds, and hands, and finding ways to spread love and light.
Cheers!
-Danielle
