When Friendsgiving first began, it was a way to combine the love and gratitude we often feel on the holiday with our friends. Whether in place of or in combination with your family, Friendsgiving allows you to share the warmth and gratitude in the spirit of the holiday with chosen friends
Because of that, Friendsgiving often looked just like Thanksgiving. Similar decor, themes, and foods. However, over time, Friendsgiving has evolved into its own event with new traditions.
A common trend has been themed Friendsgivings. Since the holiday is already nontraditional in many ways it allows some creative flexibility. Many have chosen to express that through funky themes, color choices, or new ways of dining. So, try out this theme for size!
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How To: A Flannels and Fire Themed Friendsgiving Bonfire
Fall is the season of the bonfire, it’s the perfect time for sitting around a fire and sharing warm and delicious meals with those you care about. So of course it would go perfectly with a Friendsgiving .
Leaning into the elements of warmth and coziness in the decor and community and fun in the food, here is how you are going to combine a bonfire with Friendsgiving for the coolest Flannels and Fire themed party. Everything from the color scheme to the menu, flushed out for your choosing.
Color Palette
Flannels are obviously a requirement for a Flannels and fire theme. Flannels embody everything Fall and everything about bonfires all in one. Opt for the look of one specific flannel for a more cohesive theme, choose the one you like best.
Put this on your invitations to convey to your guests which vibe you’re going for. For a more Autumnal vibe, choose a brown based flannel. To lean into the fiery aspects, opt for something with more red.
Outside of the flannel print, choose small details that align with your chosen color palette so you can still convey the palette without the flannel itself. To keep it cohesive, don’t forget to create a moldboard or palette board to reference.
Decor
Decor for events like this are largely determined by what you have already because the bulk of it is simply making your outdoor area accommodating. You will want a fire pit, of course, for warmth and if you decide to do S’mores.
You will also want plenty of lighting so people can see away from the fire pit and near the food. If you need a bit more light, consider adding solar tea lights to the tables or hanging camping lights above the table from a structure or tent.
You will want to incorporate flannel but try not to overdo it so that it looks like a kids party. Skip the flannel napkins and paper plates and adding flannel throw blankets on the seating for both decor and warmth. Also consider layering a flannel tablecloth over white or black tablecloths on the main table as an accent.
If plan on having S’mores, small details like a S’more banner across the table or a banner to show everyone the S’mores bar are nice additions. However if you opt for something like cupcakes you can either decorate them like campfires like the recipe below or simply add cupcake toppers.
If you serve multiple foods or create a something with multiple items such as a S’mores bar, consider labeling the food with these wooden place holders. Opting for details that accent or allude to the theme can be a way to break up the more on the nose options. These can also be used for seating arrangements either at this event or future events.
Food
When considering your food options you have a few directions you can go in. You can go the literal route of things that look like fire and flannel, you can opt for familiar bonfire and camping favorites for the season, or you can go in the direction of flavor, leaning into familiar flavors and spice.
Traditional bonfire foods include Chili, Hot dogs, Burgers, and S’mores. All of which are perfect for Friendsgiving because you can make the basics and set up a bar of extras and add-in for each one, so each friend can customize their meal.
If you’re looking for things that look like the theme consider candies and desserts decorated to look like a campfire or plaid, such as a plaid lumberjack cake.
For bonfire flavors consider seasonal spices like cinnamon and gloves or traditional spicy foods like chili peppers so center your meal around or to add into the meal.
Some inspiration for your menu can be found below, mix and match the items to best fit your needs and budget.
Chili
Make up a large pot of chili and sit out extras like cheese, onions, and sour creams so people can add what they want. Perfect to keep in a slow cooker to stay warm.
Hot Dogs & Burgers
Fire up the grill and cook up burgers and hot dogs which are easy to make and easy to serve.
Spicy Gochujang Chicken Tenders
Turn up the heat with some spice with these delicious chicken tenders coated in a mix that includes Japanese BBQ and Gochujang paste!
Campfire Cupcakes
Create your own bonfire with these adorable cupcakes which only require a few simple steps
S’mores Board
Lay out all the ingredients for S’mores plus more such as nut spreads, caramel, and fruit so people can get creative and interactive with their S’mores.
Cinnamon Embers
Serve up embers right to your guest with these sweet cinnamon embers that have the texture of honeycomb.
Drinks
If you’re hosting adults, it’s likely you will default to alcholic drink options, but don’t forget to include the nonalcoholic options as well. If you want to keep it simple, make one drink that can either be drank as is or spike like apple cider.
If it’s going to be on the chiller side, this is the perfect opportunity to set up a hot cocoa bar with all the fun add-ins you can think of.
Want to really step it up? Consider a signature drink of the night based on the flavors like the S’mores Old Fashioned below!
Mulled Cider
Make your mulled apple cider with fresh seasonal fruits and spices and leave it as is, or spike it!
Hot Cocoa Bar
Use a slow cooker to keep Hot Cocoa warm and offer up a variety of topping such as whipped cream, peppermint, and sprinkles.
S’mores Old Fashioned
Put a sweet and smoky spin on the classic drink with this S’mores Old Fashioned and serve it. You can even demonstrate how to make it and let people try on their own.
Don’t be overwhelmed by all of your decisions and options, if you stick to a general theme and focus on the big picture, your vision will come together. If you still need help, check out this guide to hosting Friendsgiving for more help.
