Who’s cooking the green bean casserole this year — Aunt Betty or BFF Sharon? What’s it to be this year — friends or family?
If your traditional Thanksgiving is going to be a Friendsgiving this year, then you are reading the right post. A Friendsgiving (gathering with friends as opposed to family) is a nice retreat for those who live far from home and cannot afford to travel back.
As the host, you have some basic responsibilities that are different than the usual Saturday get-together. There are also some opportunities to elevate the affair. We are outlining what you need to do to prepare for the event and make sure everyone has a good time.
Friendsgiving Ideas | Invitations
We love sending and receiving invitations. It does not have to be a formal event to send out invitations. We’ve seen them for casual get-togethers like BBQ’s, baby showers and birthday parties.
Invitations set the mood of the event and provide important details. Depending on your budget, you can opt to send your invitations via email but if you really want to wow your guests, print them and mail them.
There are many companies that have wonderful pre-designed invitations for Friendsgiving, even. Look here.
Friendsgiving Ideas | Menu
The menu is the hardest part to Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving alike because there are many dishes to prepare which require varying ingredients and cooking times.
One idea is hosting a potluck where each guest prepares a dish and brings it on the day. It spreads out the work and eliminates the stress of cooking.
If you don’t want to put the trust in your friend’s hands when it comes to your dinner, another idea is to cater. Again, if your budget allows (and perhaps asking your friends to contribute money), you can hire someone to prepare the meal for you.
If you decide to prepare everything yourself, write yourself a menu and pace yourself! Write down the dishes you wish to make and their ingredients. Shop for the ingredients weeks before! If you wait, you will be sorry because the shelves clean out fast this time of year.
We also suggest making some dishes and doing the preparations days before. The cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy can all be made a day before. Green beans and brussel sprouts can be prepped in advance to save time on cooking day.
Cooking multiple dishes is stressful. Not to mention the space restriction! It takes up a lot of counter and oven space. Alleviate the stress of juggling multiple dishes by spreading it out over a couple of days.
Friendsgiving Ideas | Decor and Tablescape
Decorations are another thing that can be and should be done days before the event. When decorating for this event, focus on two things: the front door and the dining table.
Your front door is the first thing people see when they arrive at your house. It is your home’s first impression and you want to make a good first impression, don’t you? This doesn’t need to be expensive.
Front Door
- Clean and Tidy. Your front porch and entryway should be free and clear of fallen leaves, dirt and debris. Pull weeds and get rid of any dead plants.
- Following the Feng Shui method, your front door should be able to open fully without obstruction. This means that the pile of books and junk mail that have been sitting by your front door for months need to be moved.
Looking to make your office space more cozy and inviting?
Read: Fall Fashion: How to Bring Hygge to Your Wardrobe and Workspace
Dining Table
Your dining area is where people will be spending most of their time and should be decorated with intention. Depending on how big the table is and how many people will be using it, you can use the center for decorations or for plates of food in a buffet-style setup.
Either way, be sure to have a tablecloth. Chargers or placemats are also necessary to protect your table from the extra wear and tear. They also give your place settings a little pizzazz.
Decorations like candles, small heirloom pumpkins, glass pumpkin ornaments, greenery, and pine cones are perfect for a Friendsgiving tablescape. Come up with a color scheme and expand from there.
We wish you a happy and heartfelt Friendsgiving!If you enjoy hosting, don’t miss Cocktail Party: How to Host the Perfect After-Work Get-Together.
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