The holiday season is just around the corner and the time to start planning those get-togethers is now. One way to spend enjoyable evening is to organize a progressive dinner party.

It can serve as a club function, or it can be a way to start a club. It can also serve as a networking tool or a catalyst to launch a project. Adding a plate charge can turn dinner into a fundraiser for charity and adding specific decorations, games or ethnic foods will give the party a theme. A good organizer is all that is needed to create a wonderful homemade experience.

Choose carefully. The organizer is the glue holding the event together and has the responsibility of generating interest, picking willing and suitable hosts, sending out invitations and keeping the RSVP numbers in check. They should also help coordinate the menu. Sushi as a first course wouldn't go well with spaghetti.

Menu choices are important and the main course shouldn't require a lot of last minute preparation. After all, the hosts should be able to enjoy the dinner too. The main course can be simple, like pizza, a full course meal served buffet style or a sit down dinner.

Make the accommodations match when choosing hosts and decide on a limited number of guests. Be sure all hosts can accommodate everyone comfortably. For instance if a host lives in a one bedroom apartment, the number of guests they can accommodate is going to be a lot less than a host with a 4000 square foot home.

Space can be juggled as well. For instance, the host with an apartment might be better for drinks and appetizers when there is a lot of energy and standing room only isn't an inconvenience, rather than appoint them the host serving coffee and dessert at a time when guests are more likely to sit and talk.

Invitations should reflect the address of each stop, the menu and the approximate times guest should be moving on to the next leg, so if someone is late, they will know where to find the group.

Insist on an RSVP and note contact numbers on the invitations. Plans change and emergencies do happen.

Timing is everything. Allow at least three hours from start to finish unless a meeting is part of the plan. Try to save detailed discussions for the dessert course so those who want to leave or have children at home, don't feel pressured or uncomfortable.

Some things to remember are:

All hosts should leave ahead of the other guests for last minute preparations of their hosting duties. If it takes more than 15 or 20 minutes, the menu is too elaborate.

The closer together the hosts live, the less travel time between stops.

Check with guests on the list for food allergies before collaborating on a menu.

If alcohol is served, combine drinks with appetizers and appoint designated drivers. Cocktails should last no more than 45 minutes and cut back to 30 minutes if wine is being served with dinner.

Depending on the stop and the dish, use of sturdy paper plates to eliminate some of the clean-up might be prudent.

The steps are simple; the execution is a bit tricky when it comes to timing. Find ways to politely keep diners from lingering between courses, such as giving each guest three poker chips, the last person who leaves for the next stop loses two chips. Whoever has the least chips at the end of the evening must be a host for the next event.

Progressive dinners are fun if done properly. So take the time to plan well and make the event appear seamless.

Enjoy.