Impress your guests without a headache.
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Friends are the family you choose, so before you host your Thanksgiving feast, carve out some time to have a light-hearted meal with your besties. Friendsgiving is a fairly new concept, but it's continued to grow in traction over the years as a less formal (and often more fun!) offshoot of Thanksgiving. Most people host the weekend before Thanksgiving, but the beauty of Friendsgiving is that you can really have it whenever you want. If picture-perfect Pinterest tablescapes have you feeling overwhelmed at the thought of a second dinner—rather than excited about spending time with friends—we're here to help. Ahead of prime Friendsgiving season, we created a step-by-step guide to host a stunning Friendsgiving with your BFFs without the headache.
When planning a Friendsgiving, break those traditions from Thanksgiving and think outside the box. You can host a pajama-themed party, or instead of a sit-down dinner, why not brunch? Games are a must, and if everyone needs to BYOB or it's a full-on potluck buffet, yes, yes, and yes. You're having a meal with your besties, so lighten up and make it a meal to remember.
Make it feel extra special by mailing invitations to your guests. The handwritten invite will let your friends know you took time and care to plan this event.
Have fun with your Friendsgiving decor: drape a banner from your mantel or hang it on a wall above the buffet. Let your guests know they will be entertained tonight with good food and games.
If your DIY floral arrangements have fallen flat in the past, save yourself the time and energy and order a Friendsgiving-themed centerpiece online. And order two or more days before your event to guarantee they come in time. The vibrant colors of blood orange and yellow will pop off the dark linens.
To have a smooth Friendsgiving with your guests, create a seating plan. Although they might all be your besties, it's helpful to group your friends based on their common interests and who will enjoy some dinner conversation together. Better yet, pair pals who aren't super close already to ensure new friendships.
You can't go wrong with white dinnerware when setting the table. The colors from your food will jump off the plates and be the focal point of your table setting. As a bonus, the small plates in this set act as lids for the larger bowls, so you don't have to worry about any extra Tupperware when cleaning up leftovers.
Draw your besties into the festivities with an intoxicating scent. The Gather candle's scent is about creating awareness and relaxation so your friends can talk and laugh in a safe space. Make sure your light the candle thirty minutes before your guests arrive to ensure that the aroma has filled up the room.
On Friendsgiving, remember you’re serving your friends and not your parents. Make it easy and have a buffet everyone can make their plates. Host a potluck, and your friends can bring their favorite dishes and reheat them on the servers.
Don't let the Friendsgiving end without a party game or a fun activity. You can easily create an Instagram-worthy event by simply re-creating a blank wall with craft paper that guests can write down what they're thankful for and then take photos in front of it using funny props.
Lastly, end your Friendsgiving with a thank-you gift. You could give them a bottle of wine paired with a stemless wine glass celebrating your friendship. And, they can bring it to your next BYOB party!
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