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Celebrating holidays takes on diverse forms, but for a memorable Thanksgiving, inviting your friends to join is an unbeatable approach.
Friendsgiving offers a perfect excuse to revel in one another’s company, savor delectable dishes, engage in games, and share in the joy of celebration.
Hosting a Friendsgiving can be a heartwarming experience, and with some forethought and creativity, you can create a lasting tradition cherished by all your friends in the years to come.
As someone whose family resides in different places, I’ve become adept at organizing the best Friendsgiving gatherings in recent years.
In this post, you’ll discover an array of remarkable and distinctive Friendsgiving ideas to craft the ultimate evening of good food and laughter with your closest companions.
This tradition has rapidly become a personal favorite, and I’m thrilled to share this step-by-step guide on how to host Friendsgiving at home with you.
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How To Throw The Best Friendsgiving
1. DECIDE ON THE DATE, GUEST LIST, AND LOCATION
First and foremost, in your journey of learning how to host Friendsgiving, you must decide on when and where this gathering will take place.
It’s essential to plan well in advance, especially if you have friends coming from different cities or states, as booking flights or making long drives during this time of year can be challenging.
Hosting Friendsgiving about a week before or after the actual Thanksgiving often proves ideal, aligning with when most friends are typically available.
Additionally, you must select a suitable location.
While your house, apartment, or condo may be the most straightforward choice, there’s room for creativity.
If you reside in a warm climate, hosting Friendsgiving outdoors can be a fun and unique experience.
Finally, you need to curate your guest list.
Depending on the size of the gathering you envision, this list can be extensive or include only your closest friends.
Deciding on your guest list early is vital for effective planning and food preparation.
2. PLANNING THE FEAST
Arguably the most crucial part of Friendsgiving is the menu.
The food and drinks are of paramount importance and require more planning than you might initially think.
Begin by creating a comprehensive list of classic Thanksgiving dishes and the ones you usually prepare. Cover all the bases to ensure everyone’s favorite dishes are included.
Your main meal list might encompass traditional elements like turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, bread rolls, stuffing, gravy, and various vegetables.
Don’t forget to provide appetizers and delectable pies for dessert. Ensure there’s an ample supply of beverages, from soda to alcohol, to keep your guests well-hydrated.
Friendsgiving is an excellent opportunity to embrace the concept of a potluck.
When your friends RSVP, encourage them to contribute a dish or two from your list or introduce something unique to their family’s Thanksgiving tradition.
Collaboratively, this potluck approach ensures a diverse and delicious spread, allowing you to focus on the essentials like the turkey and a few side dishes.
To manage everything smoothly, create a timeline for preparing each dish to alleviate stress and save time.
3. HOW TO DECORATE
Decoration is a vital aspect of creating an inviting and festive atmosphere for your Friendsgiving celebration.
Elevate the party’s ambiance with thoughtfully selected decorations. Consider table decorations, centerpieces, table settings for your guests, and even a dedicated area for a photoshoot backdrop.
For a Friendsgiving theme, focus on elements like flowers, fruit, pumpkins, and squash, as they create warm, seasonal aesthetics.
Make use of name cards to assign seating, and ensure the table settings are well-organized.
Rolled napkins and coordinating utensils, plates, and glassware give your table a professional and polished look.
Enhance the decor further with candles, banners, and any other decorative items that resonate with your Friendsgiving theme.
When planning a bar area, consider adding a bar cart with appropriate decor elements to enhance the theme.
Select background music to set the mood, with various playlists available online to suit the Friendsgiving atmosphere.
4. CONSIDER GAMES OR ACTIVITIES
Enhance your Friendsgiving celebration with planned games and activities.
Encourage gratitude by having each guest share what they’re thankful for this year, or engage in board games or card games after dinner.
Many fun Thanksgiving-themed games can also entertain your guests and foster camaraderie.
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5. GO SHOPPING!
Creating a successful Friendsgiving celebration necessitates a well-organized shopping list.
Be sure to shop for groceries and decorations well in advance, and consider placing your online orders at least a week ahead of the event, especially if you’re purchasing decor items.
Shop for cleaning supplies as well to simplify post-celebration cleanup.
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6. EXTRA TIPS & TRICKS
- Prepare some dishes the night or preferably the week before to ease your workload on the day of the event.
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- Keep appetizers simple to avoid filling up guests before the main meal.
- Ensure you have sufficient serving dishes and utensils for all the food.
- Communicate with your guests to prevent overestimating or underestimating the amount of food required.
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- Provide a variety of beverages to keep your guests well-hydrated, from mocktails to fall punch.
- Offer to-go boxes to allow your friends to take home a portion of each dish, adding a thoughtful touch to the event.
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