Around here Block Parties are the thing to do. We are fortunate to live on a street that "blocks" both for the 4th of July holiday and again at Christmas time.
It's a wonderful way to encourage the bonds of neighborhood friendship while having a fun and safer way to celebrate the holidays.
You can contact your local City Hall office and find out what the rules and guidelines regarding "blocking" are in your area. Generally there is a fee that is paid by the neighbors and then orange cones and "closed" signs will be placed at each end of the block. Thru traffic will have to be permissible to residents, of course, but it greatly reduces the amount of car traffic and provides a safer playing area for children and meandering adults.

"Blocking" is a fantastic chance for potluck meals too. Encourage everyone to make a dish that serves 12 people. You can have the "even numbered" addresses make meats and casseroles and the "odd numbered" addresses make desserts, salads and provide beverages. It's a lot of fun and always great to try the many delicious ethnic dishes that our neighbors share.

For guidelines of amounts of food, I've created this simple chart. I hope it helps.

SERVES 12


Bone In Grilled Chicken-------------- about 9 lbs,

Boneless Crockpot Meat--------3 lbs.

Salads, such as Pasta or Chicken-- 3 quarts

Potato or Macaroni Salads------- 1-1/2 quarts

Baked Beans or Coleslaw-------- 1-1/2 quarts

Meat Cold Cuts---------------2 pounds

Sliced Cheeses---------------1 pound

Tossed green salad------------5 quarts

Salad Dressing---------------2 cups

Cakes----------------------9 x 13 inch cake or half sheet cake

Cookies--------------------4 dozen

Iced Tea or Sweet Tea----------1 gallon

Punch----------------------2 quarts

Ice------------------------3 to 5 pounds