Tips and Tricks to Hosting a Flawless Friendsgiving!

Some may say the best part about Thanksgiving is the food, the parade, or even the unpredictable Uncle who always makes a scene. However, I would say without a doubt. It is being around your friends, family, and other loved ones. To further this day of celebration, people have become obsessed with hosting Friendsgiving parties. Yet, those parties may not always go as planned.

Hosting a Friendsgiving comes with a lot of responsibility and expectations. To help take away some of the stress, here are four of the best tips and tricks that you can use when preparing for your Friendsgiving!

Make Others Contribute

When hosting a Friendsgiving, people automatically assume you are going to do all the work. You are expected to find every pumpkin item offered by Trader Joe’s, learn how to make the moistest mac n cheese, attempt to make a stuffing that isn’t from the box, and then conquer a turkey. That’s not even 25% of the dishes people expect you to master, pay for, and prepare because you are hosting the party.

That is why the most important tip when hosting a Friendsgiving is to make others contribute. It is essential to make a list of things people can bring and have them sign up to bring items. Not only does this eliminate stress, but it gives you more time to prep party! Even Rachel Ray has her friends bring food to Thanksgiving (yes, they are world-class chefs, but you get the point), so don’t be embarrassed to ask others to bring things!

Get a Head Count

They say, “the more, the merrier,” which is true, but one of the most common disasters during Friendsgiving is you run out of food. To prepare accordingly, ensure you have an estimate of how many people are coming. You don’t want to exclude anyone, and that is possible if you get a rough head count early enough. This trick lets you know how much food you need and how many chairs and table settings are required. Getting a head count also allows you to prepare for potential drama that may arise from guests. Doing this tip will make sure the exes are not next to each other and allow you to maybe even avoid the person who you “had” to invite.

Don’t Stress About Decorations

Let’s be honest you want your guests to feel like they are in an autumn palooza. Sadly, the long hours of decorating often go unnoticed. Unless you are preparing for the ultimate Instagram photos, there is no need to go above and beyond on the decorations. Not only is decorating stressful, but it’s also expensive, and don’t lie, once the cocktails start flowing, the decor always gets messed up. Avoid the hassle of going above and beyond. Instead, take the approach of simplicity and elegance. Simple decorations that embrace the fall theme and have tones of autumn colors will set the perfect atmosphere. Maybe even more importantly, it won’t break the bank either.

When planning the party, you may want to go all out with decorations, but remember this gathering is not about the glitz and glam; it’s about the people you cherish.

Try New Recipes!

Everyone knows the classic Thanksgiving dinner, but it’s 2022, and sometimes you need to put a twist on some classics. Parties and potlucks are a fantastic time to try some new recipes and show others your inner Iron Chef.

Below is a way to perfect a turkey and some delicious dishes and cocktails that will surprise your friends!

• No-Fuss Turkey: preparing a turkey is not an easy task, but it is necessary to have it at Friendsgiving. If your group doesn’t have a turkey expert, check out this recipe and video that gives a simple way to perfect this intimidating bird!
• Twice-Baked Potatoes: these twice-baked potatoes not only put mashed potatoes to shame but are so much easier to serve and enjoy! After your friends try these potatoes that are full of a pillowy filling inside of perfectly crispy potato skins, they will think you have been taking cooking classes in secret!
• Pumpkin Brownies: amaze your friends with this dessert that combines the Thanksgiving classic pumpkin pie with a light and gooey chocolate brownie. Not only are these delicious, and they only take 45 minutes to prepare!
• Butter-Pecan Cookies: handheld desserts are perfect for a Friendsgiving, and these chewy goodnesses will have people wishing there was an endless abundance of them! These cookies are full of holiday flavor and perfect for any fall gathering!
• Cocktails; for a full list of one-of-a-kind Thanksgiving cocktails, visit Delish. Not only do these taste great, but they continue to the playful Friendsgiving theme beyond dinner and into the night! If you are hosting a larger group, then you must try the Thanksgiving Jungle Juice or take a trip down memory lane with the Cranberry Jell-O shots!

Give Thanks

No matter how the party goes, it’s important to remember why you are hosting the Friendsgiving. Sometimes the reason for the season gets lost in all the drama and preparation. If you are throwing a Friendsgiving, have fun, take a breath, and use these tools to throw an unforgettable party!

From all of SMU, we hope you have a great Thanksgiving and enjoy this time with your loved ones!