If you want to host the ultimate Friendsgiving, there are some tried and true things you need to do. And it’s nothing to stress about, we’ve got you covered with a handy checklist. You’ll be knocking these items off the list one by one before you know it. So without further ado, here’s our guide to keep it simple and not break the bank.
Setting The Scene For The Ultimate Friendsgiving
To make your Friendsgiving unforgettable, you need to make it collaborative. Make it a potluck so everyone pitches in, from casserole dishes to portable slow cookers and delicious sides. You’ll just worry about an appetizer or two, the main dish, gravy, a side, and let your pals do the rest. You can even encourage your friends to bring a bottle of wine.
For the event itself, make it intimate. Keep your guest list short so you can maximize great conversations and lessen the load of dishes and clean up afterward. Create a timeline so you can plan out how the evening will go. Check out Alexandra Shytsman’s book Friendsgiving for tips. Set a cozy, casual tone with the decor. Think comfy couch and fireplace, if you have one, before the night is over. Add a sweet aroma in the air with mulled wine in a slow cooker.
Appetizers To Get The Party Started
You’ve got to start off with tasty appetizers. We have all kinds of suggestions in 20 Easy Fall Appetizers for Your Friendsgiving Celebration. Capture the season perfectly with warm butternut squash dip, apple cranberry walnut salad, or baked figs with goat cheese.
Keep your friends salivating at the start of your Friendsgiving with bite-sized blooming onions, butternut squash deviled eggs with bacon, and cranberry orange cheese balls.
Looking for something simple? Our Lazy Girl Friendsgiving has more appetizer ideas, from a turkey and cranberry sauce Triscuit to shredded chicken avocado crackers and cucumber smoked salmon with dill. Or maybe you’d prefer a puff pastry with parmesan and prosciutto. None of these are difficult to make and all of them are packed with flavor for the occasion.
And that’s not all! We have more holiday favorites in 18 Easy Fall Appetizer Recipes, like cheesy bacon holiday crack, bacon-wrapped brussel sprouts, candied walnut bruschetta and roasted carrot hummus. There’s no shortage of ideas to kickstart your appetizers of choice.
Easy Recipes That Will Make Your Meal Perfect
OK, so the appetizers are covered, but now we need some good old-fashioned recipes for your Friendsgiving meal. We get you started with holiday classics in 19 Easy Friendsgiving Recipes, like mac and cheese, crockpot turkey breast, homemade rolls, homemade gravy, and homemade cranberry sauce.
Branch out for something different like cranberry pecan stuffing, salted caramel apple pie cookies, or brown rice and sweet potato salad. With these tasty dishes, and if you go ahead with the potluck too, you’ll have a delicious meal ready to go in no time.
Games, Activities & Ideas for Entertainment
We ate, we’re full and we’re happy, now we move on to the good stuff - activities! Get ready because we have plenty of ideas in this category, you just need to pick the ones you like and make them your own.
You’ll find some of our best ideas in 18 Friendsgiving Ideas to Keep *All* Your Friends Entertained. Do it yourself with Giant Jenga, Turkey Bowling, Pumpkin Pie Slice Hats, Turkey Coloring Pages, Icebreakers (Q&A), or Tic Tac Toe with mini pumpkins. Then there’s unforgettable fun to consider with a photo booth, wine and painting, a spinner game, Bingo, or Catan. You can’t go wrong with any of these.
Still not inspired? We’ve got you covered. You’ll find more suggestions in 24 Adult-Approved Friendsgiving Activities. Pie face, Cards Against Humanity, football in the backyard, Oregon Trail, a thankful jar, and a pumpkin piñata are all sure to cue laughter and an all around good time. And we have more ideas still at 14 Activities To Try at Friendsgiving. Create-your-own headwear, draw together with an epic tablecloth, watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, do a booze tasting, create a gratitude list, and more. Now you’re ready to go.
And Now It's Time For Dessert
No Friendsgiving gathering would be complete without dessert. The best way to handle this is making it potluck too, encourage your friends to each bring a dessert. But if you’re on the hook for at least one of the desserts, we’ve got plenty of inspiration for you.
Check out 27 Easy Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes for the best recommendations. You can try something new like turkey berries, pumpkin pie spiced toffee, or pumpkin pie brownies. Or you can opt for the classics like pumpkin cake, apple fritter bread, a donut bundt cake, or chocolate cupcakes. It’s totally up to you. And with dessert complete, you did it! You planned the perfect Friendsgiving that is sure to create long-lasting memories.
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