Friendsgiving | Noun - The celebration of Thanksgiving dinner with your friends.
1. Organization is the key to everything running smoothly
The first thing you should do is figure these things out: Are you going to cook everything yourself? Do you want help? Are you going to do a potluck? You also need to determine the best time and place to have your celebration.
2. Make a guest list
Knowing who you want to sit at your table is extremely important. Don’t feel like you need to invite everyone, sometimes a small intimate gathering can be more meaningful than trying to talk in a room full of 50 people.
3. You can never have enough food
It’s a lot better to have too much food than not enough. You don’t want your guests feeling like they have to practice portion control at a holiday meal.
4. You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars
If you’re doing a potluck, chances are you only need to buy a turkey and/or some side dishes. If you are cooking the entire meal, be sure to search out some of the less expensive food options at the grocery store, which are just as good in quality as the items sold under the well-known labels.
5.When in doubt, buy it pre-made at the store
Just take the wrapping off, cook it if necessary, throw it on a plate, and hide the evidence. Unless you have no shame, then go ahead and brag about your pumpkin pie from the local grocery store bakery aisle.
6.Good music is key
There is nothing that kills the mood more than bad music. Whether you use Spotify or iTunes, create a playlist of 20-30 songs that put you in the mood to talk, laugh, and share memories. If you want, you can even put one of your friends in charge of DJ duty.
7.Don’t focus too much on décor
It’s important to get into the holiday spirit, so pumpkins, decorative leaves, or other tabletop décor items are fine. However, you don’t have to spend a great amount of time figuring out if every place setting looks perfect. Chances are, your friends aren’t going to be analyzing the table.
8.Provide plastic containers for your guests to take home any leftovers
This is a great way to get rid of any part of the meal that isn’t consumed. Who is going to say no to free food? Providing plastic containers for your friends is an easy way for them to save any leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day.
9.Disposable plates and plastic ware will save a lot of clean up time later
This is completely optional, but if you’re worried about having a huge mess afterwards, you might want to consider fancy plastic ware. There are so many options available that will still keep your table looking elegant. And using plastic ware will prevent a huge pile-up of dishes.
10.Keep things casual, don’t put too much stress on the event
I can’t stress this enough (no pun intended), but if you’re relaxed and having a good time, most likely your guests are too. You’re throwing this whole shebang to spend quality time with those who mean so much to you. Have a sense of humor and don’t stress the small things!
