Progressive Holiday Hor d'oeuvres Party

By Jeanne Benedict
Roasted Jalapeno Chicken Empanadas from Hellmann’s / Best FoodsRoasted Jalapeno Chicken Empanadas

Spread holiday cheer throughout your neighborhood with a progressive hors d’oeuvres party! The idea of a progressive party is that a group of revelers travel on foot from one home to another, enjoying delicious appetizers and drinks at each stop. Whether you live in a house or an apartment, this party is a great way to mix with your neighbors and ring in the holiday season.

 

Welcome Neighbors Home with an Invite!

Generate excitement about this roving block party with an invitation on the doorstep. Since your guests are nearby, you can drop off a spectacular invite sans postal costs. Snow globe invitations, easily assembled with a kit, are an excellent way to announce a holiday bash.

Progressive Party Checklist

  • Drop off invites 3 weeks in advance and find out who’s on board.
  • Check in with guests to determine a start time and place.
  • Send a follow-up note with the “kick-off” home and time, along with a map of your party route and any details.

Planning A Progressive Party

As everyone attending this party is both a host and a guest, thorough planning is essential. The neighborhood will be buzzing about the event, so take the opportunity to share some of these ideas for décor, instant atmosphere, and tasty finger food.

Star Paper Lantern To Illuminate Homes at Paper Lantern StoreStar Paper Lantern To Illuminate Homes at Paper Lantern Store

Party Over Here!

Light guests’ way and create a sense of unity for your party with beautiful lanterns! Ask guests to hang a paper lantern in front of their home as an identifying marker along the party route. Illuminate the lantern with a single-bulb light kit or chose a battery-operated lantern. Suggest a star theme, as this is a holiday symbol found in many cultural celebrations. Some stunning star luminaries I’ve come across include a white eyelet design, Star of David lantern, and elegant embroidered paper stars.

Step Right In and Entertain!

Be smart about your home’s set up so you can walk in and get the party started in a snap.

  • Load up the CD player with holiday music
  • Dim the lights and put candles in place to be lit when the party arrives at your home.
  • Put out your extra chairs so guests can rest a bit.
  • Pre-set your food table as much as possible, so all you have to do is heat and serve your appetizers or simply take them out of the refrigerator.
  • Make yourself a checklist if necessary, with a big reminder to extinguish all candles and turn off the oven before moving on to the next home.

Holiday Hors d’oeuvre Recipes

These great recipes from Hellmann’s® are perfect for a progressive party. Most of these appetizers may be prepared in advance, with a quick cooking time when guests arrive. Plus, they are all finger food, which saves on clean up!

CREAMY ARTICHOKE BRUSCHETTA

Serves: 20 appetizers
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 Minute

1 jar (6 oz.) marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/4 cup Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Light Mayonnaise
1/4 cup finely chopped drained sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
1 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
1 loaf Italian or French bread (about 15-in. long), cut into 1/2-inch slices and toasted

1. In small bowl, combine all ingredients except bread. Evenly spread artichoke mixture on toasted bread. Broil 1 minute or until golden. Serve immediately.

For a progressive party: you can prepare the artichoke mayonnaise mixture the morning of the party. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, spread the mixture on toasted bread and broil as directed.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO HUMMUS DIP

Serves: 2 cups dip
Prep Time: 5 Minutes

1 can (16 oz.) chick peas or garbanzos, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Light Mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. chopped sun-dried tomatoes
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 clove garlic
2 green onions, chopped

1. In food processor or blender, process all ingredients except green onions until smooth. Stir in green onions. Garnish, if desired, with paprika, olive oil and additional chopped green onion. Serve with pita bread or your favorite dippers.

For a progressive party: you can make this dip the morning of the party. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

ROASTED RED POTATO BITES

Serves: 30 appetizers
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 40 Minutes

1-1/2 lbs. red potatoes (about 15 small)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (about 4 oz.)
1/2 cup Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise
1/2 cup sliced green onions
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil leaves (optional)
10 slices bacon, crisp-cooked and crumbled

1. Preheat oven to 400°. On large baking sheet, arrange potatoes and bake 35 minutes or until tender. Let cool to handle.

2. Cut each potato in half, then cut thin slice from bottom of each potato. With small melon baller or spoon, scoop pulp from potatoes leaving 1/4-inch shell. Set aside shells and reserve pulp.

3. In medium bowl, lightly mash reserved pulp. Stir in remaining ingredients. Spoon or pipe potato filling into potato shells.

4. Arrange filled shells on baking sheet and broil 3 minutes or until golden and heated through.

For a progressive party: you can prepare the potatoes and fill them with the mayonnaise mixture the morning of the party. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, arrange filled shells on a baking sheet and broil as directed.

ROASTED JALAPENO CHICKEN EMPANADAS

Serves: 10
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes

2/3 cup Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Mayonnaise with Lime Juice
1 cup shredded manchego cheese (about 4 oz.)
4 to 6 roasted jalapeno peppers, peeled, seeded and finely chopped
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
1 tsp. Lawry's® Garlic Salt
2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken (about 1/2 lb.)
1 package frozen discos empanadas (10 discos), thawed
Vegetable oil for frying

1. For filling, in medium bowl, combine Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Mayonnaise with Lime Juice, cheese, peppers, green onions and Garlic Salt. Stir in chicken.

2. Lightly roll each disco empanada to 5 to 6 inches. Place 1/4 cup filling in center of each disco, then brush edges of discos with water. Fold discos in half over filling, then press edges with fork to seal.

3. In 12-inch skillet, heat 2 to 3 inches oil over medium-high heat and cook empanadas, a few at a time, 5 minutes or until golden and crisp, turning once; drain on paper towels. Serve hot.

For a progressive party: you can cook the empanadas the morning of the party. Cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat in the oven or in the microwave.
Share your Holiday and Party Ideas with us at Celebrations! We’d like to hear how you enjoy the holidays with your neighbors. If you’re looking for inspiration, visit our Christmas, Chanukah, and Holiday Party pages for festive food and seasonal décor ideas.

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