10 Tips for Hosting a Successful Friendsgiving

Host a Stress-less Thanksgiving Dinner Party

Friendsgiving should be considered a holiday in my book. What better way to enjoy an evening than breaking bread and sharing classic homemade dishes with wonderful friends? It’s my absolute favorite – and where my hubby and I first met!

Hosting a Friendsgiving can be daunting at first – what to serve? Potluck or not? Do I need to include everything my grandmother does in hers? I talked about five easy steps to hosting a dinner party in an earlier post. Now, I’ve got a few tips to help ease your Turkey Day stress level. After all, it’s the holidays!

(Nordstrom Sweater – purchased last year, but similar here and here; Tuckernuck leather leggings – similar Spanx leggings here)

Consider the divide-and-conquer method. Hosting a potluck requires a little bit of organization upfront – mainly so you don’t end up with three turkeys and four green bean casseroles. It is such a fun way to host a Friendsgiving bash. We hosted ours potluck-style last year and had enough food to feed our whole crowd twice. It’s a great way for your guests to share some of their family’s traditional dishes and spark all kinds of conversation. We are hosting our first Friendsgiving with the whole menu this year, so stay tuned on how this all goes (crosses fingers).
Meal plan. And I don’t just mean deciding what you’re serving. Take a good old-fashioned legal pad, or a handy notebook, and start blocking out your times. You’ll want to work backwards to make sure things are hot when they need to be whether you’re the cook or part of a potluck. For example, I always start with knocking the pies out early in the morning since I know the turkey has to go on and it takes close to forever. Save your shaved brussels sprouts salad for last.
Include the classics – with a spin. Some people may disagree on this point. Remember, the number-one job you have as a host or hostess is to make your guests comfortable. I’m a big supporter of including the classics for a Friendsgiving-themed dinner party. The very essence of a Thanksgiving meal is that family-style, comfort. And we’re not exactly talking about cooking at a souffle and sixteen-ingredient Bouillabaisse level here. We’re talking mashed potatoes, gravy, peas, etc. That said, I like to put a spin on a dish. For example, I’ll swap out peas or green bean casserole for a shaved brussels sprouts and cranberry salad or fresh haricots verts, to add your stamp and a little something different. Also, don’t forget to ask your guests about any allergies or food aversions.
Sub out a whole turkey. Unless you’re serving a ton of people, need leftovers for three more parties, and have hours and hours to spare, substitute using a whole turkey for a turkey breast or two. You can still go through the brining process and end up with a delicious, crispy-skinned main – just without all the hassle, waste, and clean-up. Seriously. I highly recommend this!
Don’t forget about the appetizers. This can so easily fall by the wayside when you’re planning a Friendsgiving menu. It is crucial. Even if your entire meal is ready fifteen minutes before your guests arrive, you should always plan on having a few appetizers out. A nice cheese and charcuterie board, veggies, and something warm (these phyllo tarts, for example) are all quick and easy options to have out. Setting these out ahead of time serves as a nice pause to let your guests arrive, exchange introductions, stow away coats and bags, and settle in.
Keep things festive with a signature cocktail. Is there a better welcome than a signature fall cocktail (here’s a recent apple cider sparkling bellini in my earlier post) and a hug right as one enters your home? Make it interactive by including framed instructions (not my best handwriting, you guys) to make the simple cocktail. It will serve as a nice icebreaker for your guests and will free you up to light those candles you forgot about over on the sideboard.
Keep your tables cohesive. Make sure you’re keeping your decor and tables consistent throughout your home, especially if you’re using more than one table to serve dinner. You don’t have to have two of the same tablecloth, just make sure that the two (or more) that you’re using work together. Same goes with the dinner plates you’re serving on, napkins you’re using, etc.
Play up the fall with your centerpiece. There are so many ways you can use floral arrangements for centerpieces. You can just as easily avoid them all together. Opt for pheasant feathers, seasonal gourds and pumpkins, wheat stalks, and other traditional harvest-themed items.
Create nooks for post-dinner conversation. If you’re doing any arranging or re-arranging of your furniture, do so to create little nooks for after-dinner conversations. Place an extra chair next to your couch to create separate conversation avenues, nestle an end table in between two occasional chairs for another nook, and so on. It creates a cozy and welcoming environment for dinner conversations to continue on.
Offer tea, coffee, or a dessert cocktail or port wine. Following up a meal with a digestif or coffee/tea is such an appreciated – and often overlooked – touch. How many times have you visited a winery and ended up falling in love with a dessert wine? This is its time to shine.