How to host Friendsgiving. Friendsgiving is emerging as a fast-tracked popularity among friends to spend time together in celebration of Thanksgiving away from the traditional family gathering. Planning a Friendsgiving involves planning everything right, starting from the guest list and food for the get-together, decorations, and entertainment. A step-by-step guide that will walk you through each part shall help you create a memorable event that your friends will be talking about for years to come. Whether or not it’s your first time hosting or you are looking for new ideas to make your celebration more elevated, this guide covers everything that you need to know about throwing an unforgettable Friendsgiving party.
Key Takeaways
- Friendsgiving popularity has surged with 77% of Millennials hosting or attending these gatherings each year as a new tradition.
- Planning is essential for a successful Friendsgiving, covering guest lists, meal planning, decorations, and entertainment.
- Potluck-style meals are the most popular choice, with over 67% of hosts opting for shared dishes to minimize stress and costs.
- Budgeting effectively can save up to 40% on expenses, making the celebration affordable for everyone.
- Creating a memorable atmosphere with simple DIY decorations and themed activities can make the event special without overspending.
How to start planning your Friendsgiving
Decide on a date
The first step is to choose a date that works for most of your guests. About Eventbrite, 64% of people like hosting Friendsgiving on the weekend before Thanksgiving while others prefer the weekend after to extend their holiday. Make A Guest List
Be selective about whom you invite. You must also consider the size of your space and the chemistry of your friends. A Friendsgiving party usually hosts 8-15 people, intimate and lively.
Invite Your Guests
Send out invitations as early as you can and better have most of them coming. Nowadays, there are digital invitations you can send through platforms like Evite or Paperless Post, which are eco-friendly and easy to keep track of. Sending a Facebook event ensures better tracking of RSVPs.
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Table 1: Typical Dates for Friendsgiving
| Preferred Date | Percentage of Hosts |
|---|---|
| Weekend Before Thanksgiving | 64% |
| Thanksgiving Day | 12% |
| Weekend After Thanksgiving | 24% |
How to Budget for Friendsgiving
How Much Should You Spend?
An average host spends about $150-$300 in an evening of Friendsgiving, depending on the number of guests and the type of meal served. It can help to set a budget so that you do not end up overspending, and the use of a potluck format can really cut down costs.
Cost Breakdown
The costs for an evening of Friendsgiving can be broken down into the following:
| Expense Category | Estimated Cost ($) |
|---|---|
| Food and Drinks | 100-200 |
| Decorations | 20-50 |
| Entertainment | 10-30 |
| Miscellaneous (Paperware, etc.) | 20-50 |
Serving and Tableware
- Decorations
- Beverages
- Transportation
- Other details
- Tips on Budget-Friendly Hosting
- DIY decorations will save you money.
- Use e-invitations to save on paper and postage.
- Ask guests to bring their favorite dishes to share.
Planning the Menu
Potluck-Style vs. Traditional Meal
Potluck-style Friendsgiving is the most popular format preferred by 67% of the hosts. Not only does it decrease the burden on the host related to cooking, but it also ensures that everyone gets a chance to bring in a favorite dish. If you want to cook everything yourself, you can provide a menu that has some good old-fashioned Thanksgiving favorites like turkey, mashed potatoes, and pie.
Dishes That Should Be Included
Main Course: Consider a roasted turkey, ham, or nut roast for your vegetarian guests.
Side dishes: Some of the popular crowd-pleasers among side dishes include mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.
Desserts: Pumpkin and apple pie, together with brownies, can nicely complement this meal for a sweet finish.
Table 2: Most Popular Friendsgiving Dish
| Dish Type | Popular Options | Percentage of Hosts Serving |
|---|---|---|
| Main Dish | Turkey, Ham, Nut Roast | 85% |
| Side Dish | Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing | 92% |
| Dessert | Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie | 78% |
Get Your Place Ready
Decorations Ends
Normally, a warm and inviting atmosphere is the general key to a great Friendsgiving. Warm colors for fall-themed decorations, such as candles, pumpkins, and autumn leaves, will do the trick. One can even try making DIY crafts for decoration, which is fun and cost-free.
Table Setup
A good buffet-style presentation is better if it is simpler, especially for a potluck affair. The dishes may be spread on a big table or even a kitchen island. There’s no need to worry about individual plating. All the guests need to do is serve themselves.
Seating Arrangements
Make sure to provide enough seating for everyone. In case you don’t have much space at the tables, floor cushions and folding chairs can be used. Relaxing and casual seating will give a rather cozy feel to the event.
Entertainment and Activities
Game Ideas
Games are also cool to integrate into your Friendsgiving party. Here are some popular ones:
- Board Games: Codenames, Pictionary, and Cards Against Humanity are all great choices.
- Gratitude Jar: Ask everyone to write down what they are thankful for and read them throughout the meal.
Music Playlist
Make a playlist of holiday favorites in addition to popular tunes to get people in the mood. There are several pre-curated Friendsgiving playlists on platforms like Spotify.
Food and Beverages
Beverage Option
Serve a variety of drinks, some of which may not be alcoholic. You might even offer a signature cocktail, such as a cranberry mule or apple cider sangria.
Leftovers
Have containers available for leftovers or request that guests bring their own. According to ReFed, Americans waste nearly 200 million pounds of turkey during Thanksgiving. By sharing leftovers, you’re avoiding waste and can help stop this trend.
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Special Needs and Allergies
How to Host All Your Guests
Well, one of the most important things you should do when planning your Friendsgiving menu is take down any dietary restrictions or allergies. So, you could send out a reminder to your guests ahead of time to notify you of such needs and be prepared with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
FAQs
What is Friendsgiving?
Friendsgiving is an informal gathering of friends to celebrate Thanksgiving, usually held either before or after the traditional holiday.
How much does one budget for Friendsgiving?
The price depends on how many guests are attending and what you are ordering to eat, which tends to be around $150-$300.
How would I cut costs for Friendsgiving?
I would go for a potluck meal, make creative ways to decorate to make it a do-it-yourself affair, and you can send out digital invites; this saves money.
What would I consider as bare essentials for Friendsgiving?
Important dishes are turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and so many other side dishes.
How would one manage the dietary requirements?
Ask all guests ahead of time if they have special diets and offer enough dishes for the various dietary needs.
How can one make fun activities for friends and family coming over for Friendsgiving?
Board games, thankful jar activities, or even just a fun playlist to play for everyone can be fun.
Conclusion
Although hosting such a successful Friendsgiving requires careful planning, it’s an incredible experience in itself with friends coming together as they celebrate and give thanks. The smallest detail ranges from selecting the date to writing a budget and even planning the menu and activities, which makes all the difference. Apply these tips and suggestions of this guide, and you’ll host the perfect Friendsgiving that your friends will be talking about years ahead of time. Get the family together, share mouth-watering food, and create memories that will last a lifetime this holiday season.
