How to throw the Friendsgiving of your dreams
So, you’re looking to throw a friendsgiving celebration!
Here are the most important FOUR elements of a successful friendsgiving:
People
Who are you going to invite and WHY? It’s important to make a guest list with the group dynamic in mind. If you’re planning with a group, make it clear how many people they can invite. in 2019, I had a group of girlfriends who were hosting it all together and we were each able to bring up to 3 guests.
Food
Divide and conquer the thanksgiving categories, and be as specific as possible, so that people know if they are supposed to bring a pumpkin dessert, their favorite white wine, a potato dish, or a hot vegetable side. Another idea is go a completely different route if you know most people are having turkey multiple times in the month… Other ideas: Barbecue, Taco bar, Salmon Bake, Breakfast for dinner.
Ambiance
A little bit of thought into your tablescape will go a long way. Real dishes and glassware elevate the event and make guests automatically feel more appreciated, known, and welcomed. Add a placecard for people at their seat, and it’ll show them you went to the extra effort (but really, it only took 5 minutes!) Consider what will go on the table as a decor element: flowers, vases, candles, string lights, pumpkins, or a table runner? (And if you don’t want to be saddled with the decor afterwards, consider renting!)
Venue
Sometimes, this is the hardest part! We’ve outlined three options below:
Opt Outside
Outside is a great option to make guests feel more comfortable eating together during the COVID-19 era. It also allows for natural movement of the party and can be extra pretty when surrounded by PNW trees!
Just make sure you have heaters, extra blankets, hand warmers, or something to keep your friends warm if it’s going to be chilly out.
Party At Home
Move your party into you living room! If you have space. Why not bring in larger tables and extra seating? Stay comfy, have the kitchen nearby, and transform your space into something new and exciting.
Rent a space
Look on Peerspace for a quick rental of a space, or if you know someone with a event space, storefront, yoga studio, artist studio, those work well!
This is a space in Capitol Hill we rented in 2019 for our friendsgiving. Each person chipped in a little bit and it made it very affordable and fun to gather in a space out of the ordinary!
Consider kitchen access if you need to do last-minute prep work or keep food hot while guests are arriving and mingling.
Want to take the work out of the holiday? Check out our friendsgiving packages. If you don’t see something that will fit your needs, we can brainstorm with you for our custom event planning!
