If you’re anything like me, you look for all of the reasons to celebrate – a half-birthday, a silly random holiday, a beautiful day to sit on a patio and enjoy an ice cold tea or the fact that you simply made it through the week.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and that 5 day weekend is looking better every day. But before heading out to spend time with your family and friends back home, spend some quality time with your new friends at school. Friendsgiving is the perfect way to get together one last time before everyone is studying for finals and preparing for winter break. Plus, who wouldn’t want to have TWO Thanksgiving meals?
Here are 5 tips for making sure you have the ultimate Friendsgiving.
BYOF: Bring your own food
As the host, you’re traditionally responsible for the turkey, but if someone offers to bring the bird- let them! When it comes to the rest of the meal, you’ve got a lot going on... make your Friendsgiving a potluck and have your friends to bring their favorite side or dessert. Don’t forget to put someone in charge of plates, napkins, silverware and cups. What is all of this delicious food without something to eat off of?
Channel your inner DJ
No party is complete without the perfect playlist. The music sets the mood, even if it’s softly playing in the background. Have your friend with the best taste in music create a playlist to play throughout the evening. Or find a playlist on your favorite music platform and listen away. Just make sure your music isn’t too loud, you don’t want to have to yell over it.
Talk traditions
All traditions start somewhere, but what are some of your family favorites? While sitting around the table filling up with turkey, talk about some of your favorite traditions; a pickup football game after your food has settled, eating a special dessert, circling everything you want in the Black Friday ads. You could even start a new one... like whoever gets the short side of the wishbone has to do the dishes.
Games
Who doesn’t love a little friendly game of Apples to Apples, Telestrations or even Monopoly? Spice up your Friendsgiving evening by adding some fun games into the mix. Once the mess has been cleaned up and food has settled, break out the games! There may be football on the TV or a few side conversations happening, but this is the perfect way to keep the evening going. Add in a few of your own rules to make it really interesting.
Don’t forget to decorate
Assuming you don’t already have your holiday decorations up, add a little festive flair to your table décor. Sticking with earthy tones and fall colors (think creams, browns, oranges, pumpkins, gourds, cornucopias, oh my!) will keep things simple and trendy. If you have the extra time (and funds) set up a cute space for taking photos and capturing the memories you’ll cherish for years to come.
At the end of the day, spending time with your friends, eating delicious food and sharing what you’re thankful for is what Friendsgiving is all about. The music, games, traditions and décor are just an added bonus. So… what are you waiting for? Text your friends and start planning!