Giving thanks with family is great, but gathering in a one-bedroom apartment with 20 of your closest friends is even better, and possibly be a fire hazard – but who cares! Here are six ways you can throw a successful Friendsgiving of your own.
Plan, organize and assign
The most simple, straightforward and boring tip I have is to make sure you have a plan. The host always cooks the turkey, gravy, stuffing; but that’s all! The host should encourage attendees to make something (or bring something) that will allow for an array of flavors, and something they’re excited to share! Once you receive the first few dishes, you can politely nudge the others to different categories (if one person is bringing sweet potatoes and one mac and cheese, maybe encourage a salad or vegetable side).
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Decorate!
Spruce up the place and make it look ‘fall like’, this doesn’t have to be expensive or inconvenient. Grab some faux leaves from a nearby drugstore, slap on some window decals, and you’re set. Even consider going super-kitschy and make seating cards from old-school hand turkey’s, it’ll be adorable and a fun social media moment. Speaking of social media, have a Polaroid handy; they’re always great for events like this.
Think outside the box.
Everyone loves the classics, but I encourage you to get creative! Find brands that are doing something fun for the holidays like Ruffino and Little Pie Company, a Ruffino Salted Caramel Prosecco Pie. The two companies came together to create a pie that will have you salivating at first glance. The Little Pie Company’s creator, Arnold Wilkerson, had a blast creating this tantalizing treat. They made sure to find the perfect balance between the prosecco, apple, and salted caramel, making the perfect dessert!
The pie, available in two sizes, 10-inch for $35 and 5-inch for $9.50, is available for a limited time (until December 31st) in store (424 W 43rd St.) or online here.
Drinks!
Everyone likes a little something different, so encourage those with specific taste to bring their own. I love a good bottle of wine as much as the next, but I encourage single-served wine for more of a variety. STANDARD wines are a large glass of California wine in single-serve bottles. The wine comes in red, white and rosé and are made in small, sustainably farmed batches with no additives. For those who need a bit more, I encourage pre-batching a specialty cocktail. For that, I call upon the best liquor for giving thanks [and sharing too many feelings], tequila! What Casa Noble Reposado Tequila calls the ‘Spicy Buck’, I call the ‘[GIVE] THANK[S] U, NEXT’ 🙂 recipe below:
INGREDIENTS
2 oz Casa Noble Reposado Tequila
2 thin slices jalapeño
1 Tbsp sliced ginger
1 oz lemon juice
0.75 oz simple syrup
Ginger ale or ginger beer
Dash bitters
Lemon wedge
PREPARATION
Muddle jalapeño, ginger, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker; add ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into glass over ice, top with ginger ale or ginger beer; add bitters. Garnish with lemon wedge.
Leftovers!
There may be leftovers, and the host does not want to absorb that extra food in a refrigerator they share with two other roommates. Grab some cheap, yet chic, takeout containers and send your guests home with a piece of the night.
Have fun!
Set some games in play to help the night go along. If you invite a few different friend groups, this could be a great icebreaker. Cards Against Humanity is always a great go to, as is Heads Up. Another fun, yet unique, game is to have your guests say one thing they’re grateful for whenever they express angst or complain, if they cannot think of something on the spot, they drink!
The holiday season is a time to be with friends and family, to give thanks, and enjoy each other’s company. Don’t take the preparation too seriously and just be happy with the outcome! Nothing turns out exactly how you think it will, and that’s the beauty! Burn the bird? It’ll be a funny story years from now. Happy Holiday’s and have a great time!
