Potluck Dinner Party
Share the cost of food and preparation time with your crew, and host a potluck dinner party. Everyone contributes and brings something to the table. To avoid repeat plates, create and send out an online menu signup spreadsheet. Before sharing it with guests, organize the menu into separate sections for drinks, appetizers, main courses and desserts. Fill the first column with traditional Thanksgiving foods and have guests write their name next to the items they can bring. Want to add a level of excitement? Keep the sign-up anonymous and have guests write “taken” instead of their name. At the party, have everyone write down their best guesses for the creator of each dish. Whoever gets the most right wins first pick at leftovers.
When creating your list of suggestions for the menu, include classic appetizers such as crudite platters, bread bowl spinach dip, baked brie with crackers, and shrimp with cocktail sauce. Encourage a toast to the holiday season with adult beverages such as beer, wine and hard apple cider. Serve juice, sparkling spritzers and hot cider for those looking for a non-alcoholic option. When company begins to arrive, collect their dishes and casseroles, placing main courses such as turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and roasted vegetables in the oven at a low temperature to keep them warm until dinner. Put dressings or sides—such as cranberry sauce—in the fridge to preserve their freshness until the main dishes are all set and ready to go. Throughout the party, keep a couple of attractive desserts on display in the kitchen to remind everyone to leave room for pastries, including pumpkin pie, apple crisp, carrot cake and cheesecake. If your list of friends is too long for an at-home gathering, request a private space at a restaurant offering a special Thanksgiving menu.
Host a Bake-Off
For those on “team dessert” in the heated debate over which Thanksgiving course is best, make your Friendsgiving celebration a culinary competition for the title of master baker. Depending on the size of your guest list, you can either have each individual guest bake their own recipe, or you can split a bigger party into teams. Next, set the rules. In the spirit of fair judging, should everyone bake the same dessert? If so, choose a universally popular treat like pumpkin, pecan or apple pie. For a more laissez-faire event, have each person or team bake a recipe of their choice—anything sweet, from chocolate cake to banana pudding. In the end, everyone’s a winner when delicious desserts are involved.
Give Back
Looking for a memorable way to both spend time with friends and make a positive impact on other people’s lives? Focus on the two words that make up the name of the celebration, friends and giving, and find ways to give back to your community. First, reach out to your pals to gauge interest in a group service project. To organize the event, contact local food banks, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, nursing homes and hospitals to see if there’s availability for a large group to volunteer. Make sure to plan far in advance since this is a popular activity during the holidays season. If volunteer options are slim, plan the outing for a later date. Encourage friends to put aside money or supplies they would have used on a November dinner party until the get-together. Once the plans are solidified, send invitations in the mail with a catchy event title on the card such as “Friendsgiving Back” and provide details about the date, time and location. When the evening comes to an end, invite everyone back to your place to celebrate the philanthropic success.
Gift Exchange
Spread the love between all of your best buds and organize a gift exchange. Send an invitation to guests with the date, time and location as well as detailed gift-giving information for a successful evening. In each card, write the name of a friend that particular guest will buy for, ensuring each attendee both gives and receives a gift. Specify a comfortable price range to keep everyone on the same page and make the exchange as easy and fair as possible. For gifts under $25, try picture frames, decorative vases, a set of coasters, movie tickets or scented candles. For gifts under $50, give a thoughtful present such as a fondue set, crystal decanter, wine rack, cooking class or a dance lesson.
On the night of the party, set the mood with festive decor such as faux fall foliage garlands and wreaths, decorative turkey figurines, miniature pumpkins and gourds, and a cornucopia centerpiece on the dinner table. Encourage guests to sit in the living room or family room—add extra poufs or accent seating as needed. Serve hors d'oeuvres of deviled eggs, mixed nuts and roasted pumpkin seeds alongside a seasonally-appropriate charcuterie board. Revel in the reactions as friends give and receive thoughtful presents in front of the warmth of the fireplace.
Make Friendsgiving a part of your holiday traditions this year. Have another great way to celebrate? Share your Friendsgiving party ideas with us by using the hashtag #CrateStyle.
