With just about two weeks until most colleges start Thanksgiving break, the poor hungry college kids are becoming more and more anxious to get home for a few relaxing days filled with delicious food. If you live in a dorm, I get it- you may hate mom's meatloaf but for some reason you find yourself thinking you would eat almost any of her home cooked dishes right about now. For all you apartment dwellers, you have probably been stretching your penny out as far as it can go and have spent plenty a' night slurping down ramen or trying to make a cheap frozen pizza somewhat edible. I have a not-so-secret to share with you all, though, just because you're not 'home' doesn't mean you can't eat like you're at home. Do a Thanksgiving themed dinner family style with your closest school friends! It may seem like an expensive or daunting task, but we aren't talking fine china here, let everyone pitch in to make the meal and night one to remember.
1. Pick the location.
The location is somewhat key when it comes to this kind of thing. Make sure you pick someone's place that has plenty of room for food to be cooked or displayed, and plenty of room for people to eat. I know a lot of places don't have a grand dining hall, so kicking it old school on the floor will do just fine, as long as you're all together.
2. Delegate dishes.
The host should probably make the turkey just for ease and lack of transportation, but everyone else can bring their favorite dish, or whatever they know how to make, or whatever they can buy pre-made at the grocery store. Friends don't judge friends on Friendsgiving.
3. Make a drink of the night.
This doesn't have to be too fancy but I'm just saying that 1/2 part apple cider, 1/2 part Moscato, and 1 shot of caramel vodka mixed together actually tastes like fall if that's possible.
4. Don't be cheap on some things.
The generic brand of corn–yes. The generic brand of paper plate–no. If you're doing this whole thing right, you should be prepared to eat a hefty meal, so do yourselves and your floors a favor, and buy the bougie paper plates that are made of an almost cardboard type material.
5. Buy decorations.
The dollar store notoriously has tons and tons of cheap, corny, adorable fall decor that can turn any ole' college apartment into a Thanksgiving wonderland. Heck maybe even light a candle if you can trust your friends around open flames.
6. Cherish the night.
You don't get too many of these kinds of opportunities in college, and for some this may be one of the last meals of it's kind with this specific group of friends. Have fun cooking the food, agree that everything tasted great (even if Tommy did burn the dinner rolls to a crisp), and cheers to a great night spent with your second family, in your home away from home.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, getting together, sharing a meal, and making memories is going to be one of the best parts of your Thanksgiving holiday.
