Last year I hosted my very first Friendsgiving and it was so much fun that I’m determined to do it again this year despite #TheRona (in a safe way, of course). The holidays are always a special time of year for me, in both happy and sad ways. I grew up looking forward to all of the Puerto Rican food that we’d be eating that day and watching football with my dad. We’d end every Thanksgiving with a game of Uno that went well into the night. As my circle of friends has grown smaller and tighter, I knew I wanted to find ways to celebrate with them. If you’re looking to start your own Friendsgiving tradition, here’s how you get started.
Picking the Right Day
Scheduling a Friendsgiving can be tricky. Too close to Thanksgiving and people may be busy with family activities. We tend to do earlier in the month or even the weekend before. Our friends are too tired of turkey yet and get a chance to have a more relaxed atmosphere before heading into the big day.
Plan Your Menu
Friendsgiving is the perfect time to do a potluck! Our first Friendsgiving was a potluck and it worked out so well. Each person had a category – sides, dessert, veggies – to make the menu planning super easy. As host, I made the big stuff. No turkey here! Don’t feel that you have to have a turkey. It’s the perfect time to try something new that you could never get away with on the actual turkey day.
This year, I plan on cooking the whole menu. If you choose to go that route, pick easy to cook dishes that don’t take too much prep or time to cook. No need for a fancy menu either. These are your friends. This is the perfect time to cook comfort food that everyone will enjoy.
Have Fun with the Decor
If you’re like me, those Christmas decorations haven’t made an appearance yet. Get one more use out of those fall decorations before they get put away for the season. A cute Friendsgiving banner, some themed plates, and lots of pumpkins set the perfect scene.
Friendsgiving is a time to celebrate the friendships we have. Now, more than ever, those friendships are so important. In the time of #TheRona, it’s so important to stay safe. Our Friendsgiving will be with friends we’ve been having contact with over the last seven months. Now is not the time to invite new people to your home or around others. Keep your gathering small and you’ll be able to enjoy the day while still staying safe.
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