Quick Guide To a Fabulous Friendsgiving

Friendgiving

(friends•giv•ing) noun

Oxford Living Dictionary says” Thanksgiving celebration with one’s friends, as opposed to one’s family”

No but seriously, its a time when all of your friends that you don’t normally get to see are back in town . It’s a time to catch up and break out those hosting skills. Let loose, enjoy a couples glasses of spiked punch and make memories! Oh and don’t forget the selfies.

1.　Friendsgiving is for NEW friends and OLD.

• Don’t go all Drake on us and be like “No New Friends, No New Friends”. This is a chance for your day ones to meet up with the newbies. After they get over the initial, my best friend has “another” best friend jealousy and shock – it will be SO fun!

 

2. Pick a Host, Pick a date

• Don’t be afraid to co-host either! Also, when picking a host be mindful of the space and flow of the apt/house. Lastly, remember that no date is ever going to be perfect for everyone so don’t freak out when someone says they can’t make it.

3. Send out invites

• Whether its email, text, or snail mail.  It’s important to get the invites out early and pick a cute free one like evite or paperless post.

4. Circulate a Google doc/ sign up sheet for food

• You don’t want to max out on potato dishes. The Google doc prevents everyone from bringing the same thing but also the most popular items go the fastest so make sure to make your food decision quick before you get stuck making the healthy green vegetable!

5. Be mindful of food allergies

• Chances are high that at least one of  your friends is vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or some other cool fad diet. Ask your guests to disclose any food allergies when they sign-up for food. Try to coordinate and make sure that the friend with food allergies has atleast 3 items they can eat.

6. The Turkey stays stationary!

• The host will take care of the turkey or any other meats/main dishes. The main reason being its just too hard too transport a 15lb cooked bird and keep it intact. Ain’t nobody got time for that.

7. Make New Traditions

• This is NOT your family Thanksgiving. Start fresh. Think new & exciting. You can do anything you want to do! be imaginative and innovative. Friendsgiving is literally the antithesis of Thanksgiving. BREAK all the rules.

8. Be Realistic

• If you’re like me – your friendsgiving probably won’t look like one out of a magazine or straight off of pinterest. And that’s OKAY! Friendsgiving is about making memories, sharing laughs, and good food with good friends! Here’s an example below of what my table won’t be looking like 🙂

9. Don’t food shame or #Clapback

• Try EVERTYHING & I mean EVERYTHING even if it’s just a tiny spoonful. The only excuse you have is if you have a food allergy. If you don’t like something, remember the saying “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all. “. Your friends worked hard to make all these dishes so don’t hurt any ones feelings by making rude comments.

10. Break out the booz!

• Like regular Thanksgiving, the meal is not complete without alcohol and that one semi-annoying but super hilarious drunk friend. It’s customary for each guest to bring a bottle of wine but if you want to up the anti – I suggest you get some champagne or vodka in the mix. Try one of these recipes. Apple cider mule or Cranberry Mimosas.