above image courtesy of vectorfusionart via Shutterstock
Depending on who your are and whether you love your family or simply tolerate them, a 2019 survey of 2,000 young Americans found that they would much rather celebrate with the friends they’ve chosen instead of the family they were given. On one hand — OUCH. On the other hand — this is why "Friendsgiving" is now a thing!
But even if you are spending the day giving thanks with your BFFs instead of Uncle Chad (ugh) and Cousin Todd (double ugh), hosting your very own Friendsgiving can be just as stressful and work intensive as a regular family Thanksgiving. Yeah, it can be...A LOT. That's why our friends at, Denby, one of America's favorite ceramics brands, have pulled together five ways to host a perfect Friendsgiving.
Follows these tips and you're sure to have a Friendsgiving so successful that your besties will be saying, "Family, schmamily."
1) Hold a potluck
image courtesy of Cabeca de Marmore via Shutterstock
Rather than making the whole Thanksgiving spread from scratch by yourself (yikes), you can lighten the load and have a potluck. This is a great way of trying each other's recipes and also making the event more relaxing for you as you organize the day. You could also ask people to bring a dish that's traditional in their family, particularly if you have friends from different cultures and backgrounds.
Usually, the host will cook the main element of the dinner — this means the turkey, or a vegetarian alternative if you or your guests don't eat meat. Then, your guests can bring sides, such as sweet potato casserole, green beans, and cornbread. Just make sure to discuss this with everyone coming in advance, so you don't end up with six cornbread dishes and no roast vegetables (which isn't that bad of a thing when you think of it).
2) Don't forget the drinks
image courtesy of vectorfusionart via Shutterstock
It's easy to get caught up with planning all the food that you'll be eating, but it's also important to think about what you'll be drinking too. A good set-up is for everyone attending to bring some drinks of their choice, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. This way, you'll have a selection, and no one person does all the heavy lifting (literally) on costly drinks.
You can also get together after the meal to make your own cocktails, hot toddy, and hot chocolate to finish off the meal. Stock up on these ingredients as part of your Thanksgiving shop, so you're ready when everyone wants a hot drink or tipple at the end of the meal.
3) Decorate the house
image courtesy of sergiophoto via Shutterstock
Making the house look the part for Thanksgiving will go a long to creating a memorable Friendsgiving with your pals. Traditional decorations include a horn of plenty, pumpkins and squashes, and fall accessories. You can try harvest leaf garlands, fake or real pumpkins, and add string lights for a cozy feel. You can also get fall-themed wreaths for your door so that your porch or doorway can look Thanksgiving-ready too.
Putting the decorations up with your friends is also a really fun activity, so consider inviting friends to arrive a little early and involving them in getting the house ready. Just don't let them know that you're secretly putting them to work!
4) Don't be afraid to cut corners
image courtesy of Collective Arcana via Shutterstock
It can feel overwhelming to host Friendsgiving, especially if you've never done it before. So, don't be afraid to cut a few corners to make it easier for yourself. After all, this is an occasion about relaxing and spending time with loved ones! So, for example, if you don't have time to make cranberry sauce then one in a jar or can will suffice.
Buying a few things ready-made or cooking in advance can also help reduce stress, as you won't be worried about a recipe going wrong with only fifteen minutes left before you're due to start eating dinner. Remember, this is supposed to be FUN!
5) Dress the table early
image courtesy of Stephanie Frey via Shutterstock
One of the first things you should think about doing on the morning of Thanksgiving is setting the table. This will mean that the spread is ready for your guests before they start arriving, and then you can concentrate on cooking, servings drinks, and greeting people. Think about how you're going to arrange your table ahead of time, and decide whether you need to buy any additional items. You might find that you need more side plates, cutlery, or sauce jugs for gravy. Knowing about these things you might not already have in advance will give you time to find the pieces you need to complete your table.
To create a beautiful Thanksgiving-themed table, you should use your best ceramics and cutlery. Authentic stoneware looks classic and stylish, and as it comes in a variety of different colors, you can be sure to find one that will complement your harvest decorations. Arrange all your tableware first, then the cutlery, and then lastly add any table decorations. This is so that you can gradually see how much space you have left as you keep adding items to the table, giving you a chance to rearrange if you don't have room for a certain place setting. This is particularly useful if you are planning to fit more people around your dining table than usual.
And if you're looking for extra tableware for Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, or any holiday or special occasion, check out all they have to offer at Denby's.
Either way, these tips will guarantee a successful Friendsgiving for years to come, ensuring that you'll never have to see Uncle Chad or Cousin Todd again. (They really are the worst.)
