How to Host the Perfect Friendsgiving in College
College is a time for making friendships that will last a lifetime. Celebrate these friendships right by hosting a Friendsgiving this Thanksgiving! Here are nine steps to hosting a successful Friendsgiving:
1. The Host Makes the Turkey
Most people bring a dish on Thanksgiving, and this goes for Friendsgiving, too. But just in case not everyone can come or someone unexpectedly cancels, as the host, you should be responsible for the most essential parts of the meal.
2. Find a Location
If you’re planning this event to be at your apartment or house, communicate with your roommates (if you have any) and make sure there aren’t any conflicts during the time you’re planning Friendsgiving. If you choose a different location, take note of how much time and space you’ll have and plan accordingly.
3. Take Note of Dietary Restrictions and Allergies
Don’t forget to ask your guests ahead of time if they have any food allergies or dietary restrictions. From personal experience, I know there’s nothing worse than getting to dinner and realizing you can hardly eat anything there.
4. Make and Send Invitations
While college is a time of spontaneity and impulse, a Friendsgiving meal takes time to plan. Whatever your preferred form of invitation be (Facebook event, paper invitations, group message), find a form of communication that works best with your friend group and give your friends a couple weeks advance notice for your event. You will want to request an RSVP so you know who’s coming and your total headcount to plan accordingly.
5. Food Assignments
Ask everyone what dish they would like to bring in advance, and once everyone has chosen, write their dish on their invitation to help keep track. This way, no one has to worry about bringing the same food as someone else. Don’t forget items like beverages, ice, and condiments!
6. Get a Table Centerpiece
This is not your ordinary meal with friends. Make Friendsgiving a special occasion with decorations, including a centerpiece for the table. This centerpiece can be as extravagant or as simple as you like. Just find something that will increase the aesthetic and mood of your meal, like a festive bouquet of fall flowers.
7. Create a Table Setting
Create a more formal mood for your dinner by setting your table according to proper etiquette and style. Start with a nice table cloth (doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just something that looks nice). If you don’t have enough matching plates or bowls, use paper; that way they will all be the same, plus the cleanup will be easier! Use what you have - it’s college, and we all know the struggle of owning nice things in college.
8. Don’t Forget the Little Things
When planning a meal, there are a lot of small but significant details that are easy to overlook. Don’t forget items like serving spoons, glasses, and napkins.
9. Entertainment
Plan ahead. If you need to pass time before or after dinner, plan some party games. You can also make a playlist of your favorite songs or songs relating to Thanksgiving. Or have some classic holiday movies like A Christmas Story or National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation playing in the background for some after dinner laughs.