Summer Entertaining at the Beach: A Magical Progressive Dinner with Friends

There are few things more meaningful than summer entertaining with good friends, great food, and the sound of the ocean nearby.

Last weekend, I had the joy of hosting a dinner party in Hermosa Beach for our long-standing dinner club, a group of twelve dear friends with whom we’ve shared meals and memories for over 32 years. This summer night was extra special: we organized a progressive dinner and we hosted the entrée course at my sister and her husband’s beautiful beachside home.

Six textured white clay ornaments with light gray ribbons labeled with names, displayed on a marble surface. Shapes include stars, shells, and floral patterns.
Handmade Clay Place Cards
A bright, airy kitchen with white cabinets, wooden dining table, and wicker chairs. Sunlight streams in through large windows, highlighting yellow flowers on the table and counter.
Gatherings

A Magical Progressive Dinner with Friends

A group of six women and four men, mostly seated and holding drinks, pose and smile together on a patio in front of a glass door.

We spent the weekend in Hermosa Beach with all of our friends, and our final night was so special. With the warm breeze, salty air, and golden hour lighting, it was one of those summer evenings that made you pause in gratitude.

And of course, as someone who loves to add a personal and creative touch to every gathering, I couldn’t resist crafting something unique for our dinner guests.

The Magic of a Progressive Dinner

A table set with a blue and white floral plate on a cream charger, a fork on a white napkin, and a vase with purple flowers and greenery as the centerpiece.

If you’ve never experienced a progressive dinner, let me introduce you to one of the most delightful ways to entertain with friends. Each course of the meal is hosted at a different home, and guests walk from one location to the next. It turns a meal into an authentic experience, complete with fresh air, movement, and new scenery for each dish.

For this event, appetizers and cocktails were served at one home, followed by the main course (hosted by us), and finally, dessert and after-dinner drinks to close out the evening. The transition from house to house kept things light and lively. The chatter, laughter, and glowing candlelight carried effortlessly through the night.

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Cream Melamine 11″ Dinner Plates

Four round, beige braided placemats are arranged overlapping each other on a white background.
Ivory Round Braided Edge Placemats, Set of 6
Six decorative plates arranged in two columns, each featuring distinct blue and white floral or geometric patterns.
6 Inch Small Appetizer Plates

Wallace Antique Baroque 65pc, Silver, Service for 12

A glass of white wine with a clear stem and base at an outdoor party.

Wine Glasses, Set of 4

Lace Edged Cloth Napkins, Set of 12

Hosting the Main Course at the Beach

Our dinner club has rotated homes over the years, but there’s something truly special about summer entertaining by the beach. My sister’s home provided the perfect backdrop with open doors that let the ocean breeze roll in and a spacious dining setup that encouraged long conversations and relaxed dining.

A dinner plate with salad, sliced roast beef, twice-baked potato, crispy potato, and a filled deviled egg, set on a table with glasses and cutlery.

We kept the dinner menu seasonal and fresh:

  • Steamed artichokes with aioli
  • Grilled flank steak, perfectly marinated and seared
  • Baked smoked paprika salmon with a light lemon dill sauce
  • Roasted red potatoes with garlic and herbs
  • Arugula, peach, and burrata salad
  • Salad with fresh strawberries, gorgonzola, and candied almonds

Everything was prepped in advance to allow plenty of time for mingling, pouring wine, and enjoying the company of our friends.

Three nested rectangular white ceramic serving trays viewed from above at an angle.
Sweese Porcelain White Platters, Set of 3
A stack of five round, white ceramic plates with a ribbed pattern, one plate standing upright for display.
Portmeirion Sophie Conran White Dinner Plates, Set of 4
A glossy, white, shallow ceramic bowl with a wide rim and a subtle textured pattern on the exterior, centered on a plain white background.
Sophie Conran Salad Bowl

DIY Beach-Themed Place Cards

A white ceramic star ornament with a textured pattern and cream ribbon labeled "orn" rests on a blue and white floral plate.

I wanted to add something meaningful to the table, which was a personal touch that would bring a little coastal charm to each place setting. So I created handmade beach-themed place cards using air-dry clay, and I’m happy I did. They were the perfect mix of creative, beachy, and thoughtful, and incredibly easy to make.

Here’s precisely how I did it:

Materials:

Assorted clay crafting tools on a wooden surface, including a rolling pin, block of white clay, two metal cutters, eight patterned rolling pins, and a box of small tools.
A package of DAS modeling clay, red and white with a photo of clay being rolled and shaped into a flower.

DAS Air-Hardening Modeling Clay

A set of Ann Clark cookie cutters in sea animal shapes, including a seahorse, mermaid tail, starfish, turtle, shell, octopus, and shark, with a recipe booklet.
Under the Sea Cookie Cutters
A wooden dowel rod with two thicker cylindrical ends, laying horizontally on a white background.

Maple Wood Rolling Pin – 1/4″

Mod Podge
Waterbase Sealer

Five bottles of FolkArt Terra Cotta lightly textured acrylic paint in various shades, each labeled with color name and 2 fl oz (59 ml) capacity.
FolkArt Terra Cotta Acrylic Paint Set of 5

Pro Grade, Paint Brushes, 5-Piece

A box of 10 wooden texture rollers with unique patterns; a circle inset shows hands using one roller on clay.

Clay Texture Rollers

Six rolls of satin ribbon in various shades of beige and brown, partially unrolled in parallel strips, displayed on a white background.
Champagne Gold Ribbon – 3/8″ Double Face Satin Ribbon Assortment
A stack of 20 colorful Cricut Value Iron-On sheets in a rainbow sampler variety, each measuring 30.5 cm by 30.5 cm (12 in by 12 in).
Cricut® Value Iron-On, Rainbow Sampler – 12 in x 12 in (20 ct)- HTV Heat Transfer Vinyl

Cricut Basic Tool Set

EasyPress by Cricut 2 Heat Press Machine

A Cricut cutting machine with assorted vinyl sheets, transfer sheets, a blue cutting mat, crafting tools, and a tablet displaying design software—perfect for crafting custom decor when you host a dinner party.

Cricut Explore 4 – Smart Cutting Machine (Seashell)

Instructions:

A rolling pin partially flattens a rectangular block of butter on a mesh-patterned surface.
A sheet of white clay with a scalloped pattern on the left half and a smooth texture on the right, placed on a textured tan surface.

Start by rolling out your air dry clay to about 1/4-inch thickness on a smooth, non-stick surface. Add texture with clay rollers.

A sheet of white clay with starfish and scalloped circle shapes cut out, featuring textured patterns on the surface.
Seven white starfish-shaped and four shell-shaped clay pieces with textured surfaces are arranged on a tan mesh background.

Use shell and starfish-shaped cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes. Carefully lift each shape and place it on parchment paper.

Three white, shell-shaped clay ornaments with wavy textured patterns and small holes at the top, placed on a beige surface.
White clay ornaments in the shapes of starfish and shells with various textured patterns are arranged on a parchment-lined surface.

While the clay is still soft, use a skewer or straw to poke a small hole near the top of each piece. This is where the ribbon will go once they’re finished.

White clay ornaments in shapes of pineapples, starfish, and round medallions with textured patterns are arranged on a silicone mat-lined baking tray.

Place the pieces on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven at 250°F for 30 minutes. Flip the pieces halfway through drying to keep them from curling. Once dry, lightly sand any rough edges with fine sandpaper if needed. Let cool.

A hand holds a Mod Podge bottle in front of a wall with several white, textured, fish-shaped ornaments.
A hand uses a paintbrush to apply white paint to a textured, round ornament among several white starfish and circular clay ornaments on a flat surface.
White clay ornaments in various shapes and textured patterns are laid out on a surface, with a hand using a stick to poke a hole in one of the star-shaped pieces.

Paint the top of each piece with Mod Podge, ensuring that the holes in the shells are not filled with the Mod Podge. This will allow for a lighter paint covering, making the finished shells resemble pottery more closely. 

Various white clay ornaments with textured patterns, including starfish and a floral round shape, are arranged on a parchment-lined surface.
Assorted star and round-shaped clay ornaments with textured patterns and holes for hanging, arranged on a white surface.

Then, paint each piece with a warm tan acrylic paint to give them a sun-kissed, beachy finish. Let them dry completely.

A Cricut cutting machine with its lid open, a piece of brown material loaded inside, and a green cutting mat positioned in front.
A sheet of transparent stickers displays names in cursive, including Lori, Leslie, Dave, Steve, Annie, and Chris, on a light wood surface.
Several pale beige satin ribbons with pointed ends are loosely arranged on a light wood surface.
Four white ribbon strips with gold cursive names: Anne, Ann, Bob, and Steve, laid out on a gray fabric background.

While your clay shapes are drying, cut out your guests’ names on heat transfer vinyl using a Cricut or similar machine. Cut your satin ribbon into 6–8 inch strips and iron or press the names onto the end of each ribbon.

Once the clay pieces are completely dry, thread the ribbon through the holes and tie into a small knot or bow.

Five textured ceramic ornaments with pale ribbons, shaped like starfish and shells, each labeled with a different name in gold script, laid out on a marble surface.

The finished place cards looked so charming laid across each napkin. Guests loved the personal touch and several took theirs home as a keepsake from the evening. The soft sandy hue of the clay, the gentle shimmer of satin ribbon, and the ocean-inspired shapes created the perfect finishing touch for our coastal table. The soft tan and white color palette blended beautifully with the natural beachy tones of the table.

Creating a Coastal-Inspired Table

A bouquet of purple, blue, and green flowers is arranged on a dining table set with blue and white plates, beige placemats, and gold-colored utensils.

The table was set with layers of texture and warm summer tones. I used natural fiber placemats, white and sand-colored linens, and a mix of wood and ceramic serving pieces. Fresh greenery, soft candlelight, and a few scattered seashells brought the coastal vibe to life.

Guests sipped wine, shared stories, and raved about the flavors of the meal and the beauty of the setup.

A Night to Remember

What made this evening so magical wasn’t just the beautiful table or the delicious food—it was the sense of connection. After more than three decades together, our dinner club group still feels like family. We’ve celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and everything in between. These summer evenings give us a moment to pause, reflect, and enjoy each other’s company.

And of course, walking from one home to the next along the palm-lined streets of Hermosa Beach made everything feel like a movie.

Summer Entertaining Tips

A table set with a blue and white floral plate on a cream charger, a fork on a white napkin, and a vase with purple flowers and greenery as the centerpiece.

If you’re thinking of planning your own summer dinner party or progressive dinner, here are a few of my go-to tips:

  • Prep ahead: Choose dishes that can be partially or fully prepared in advance so you can be present with your guests.
  • Layer your table: Use different textures like rattan, linen, ceramic, and glass to create visual interest.
  • Add a personal touch: Handmade place cards or small favors make guests feel special.
  • Keep drinks flowing: Set up a self-serve drink station so everyone can refill without waiting.
  • Lean into the season: Use seasonal produce and colors to bring your table to life.
  • Collaborate: If you’re doing a progressive dinner, assign courses to different homes—it spreads out the effort and adds to the fun.

Looking Ahead

This summer dinner was one for the books, and I can’t wait to host again soon. Whether it’s another beachside gathering or a backyard feast, summer entertaining is all about creating memories, embracing the season, and sharing it with the people you love.

If you’re inspired to try your hand at beach-themed DIY place cards or host your own summer dinner, I hope this post gives you all the ideas and encouragement you need.

Until next time, cheers to warm nights, creative touches, and friendships that last a lifetime.

Glass Vase with Decorative Cane Sleeve

White Metal Taper Candle Holders, Set of 2

Mixed Eucalyptus Leaves

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Four ceramic ornaments shaped like sea creatures and shells, each with a ribbon and handwritten name, arranged on a marble surface. Text at bottom reads: "Summer Entertaining at the Beach.
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