Hosting is incredibly easy if you make it so and the way to do that is by developing a formula that you follow. So, you want to host Friendsgiving this year, perfect. You can do that and you can definitely blow all your friends away and have an amazing time.
So, what is Friendsgiving?
Friendsgiving, an obvious combination of the words ‘friend’ and ‘Thanksgiving’, is a gathering that takes place in the fall and is meant to bring friends together in celebration of each other and thankfulness. The idea is to share a meal, enjoy each other’s company, and express how thankful you are for each other.
Hosting Friendsgiving means that you have decided you want to be the one to initiate the celebration and bring everyone together. It also means you are responsible for setting the tone of the night and being sure your friends enjoy themselves, which can feel like a big responsibility. Lucky for you, it doesn’t have to be.
The use of some of our links can be a potential financial benefit to us, however, we do not recommend products unless we trust them so that you can continue to trust us. To learn more about affiliates and to see the full disclosure you can click here.
Steps To Host The Best Friendsgiving
1. Theme
A good place to start when planning any event is the theme. The theme will determine how you proceed with everything else from the invite to the goody bags. Themes also create a place of cohesion, something you can refer to, so you can bring things together in a satisfying way.
Themes can be as simple as knowing you want to host a classic dinner party with a laid-back feel or a more specific theme like “Flannels and Fire” where everything centers around a bonfire. You can choose a color palette or be inspired by a material. Your theme is where you set the tone for the entire event so it is important to start there. For a Friendsgiving, look for themes that remind you of your friends, fall, or thankfulness as a starting point.
Once you have a theme, create a mood board or collage, like the one below, so you can keep your vision in mind. I’m choosing “Flannels and Fire” for my theme.
2. Guest List
After you’ve decided what vibe or mood you want to convey, it’s time to create your guest list. There are two main things to consider when constructing a guest list. The first is physical space. Figure out how many people your space can comfortably hold and be sure your list doesn’t go beyond that. There is nothing worse than being packed in when you thought you’d be comfortable.
The second thing for you to consider is the guests themselves. If your mood for the event is a quiet and relaxed night-in with friends, maybe skip out on your ‘life of the party’ friend who can’t sit still and invite them to another event. Make sure the people you invite mesh well and get along.
Now you can start on your guest list.
3. Invite
An invitation is a guest’s first introduction to your party, so you want to make the right impression. Your invitation should match your theme in looks and presentation. That means if you want to throw a classic dinner, send an invitation with a classic look. If you really want to impress, send a physical invitation.
Throwing a more modern and fun party? Consider something like a video invite or an interactive graphic. Be sure to look up inspiration so you can be as creative as possible.
Just don’t forget the details! Invitations should give your guests the when, where, and what time. If there is anything else they can benefit from knowing beforehand, include it as well. This is also the place to let people know to RSVP if you’d like them to.
4. Dining Style
Something you may not have considered that can be very helpful is to determine how you want to dine beforehand. Do you want everyone sitting around the table and passing food or would you rather have it buffet style? What about a potluck? Do you want food out the entire time so people can graze, or do you want to present the food how you’d like?
This should be considered so that you can match your theme, an elevated dinner party and grazing don’t always go together. You can also be sure your space works with your chosen setup or check to see if you need to change anything about your space ahead of time.
5. Menu and Grocery List
Now, we have where it will be, what the vibe will be, and who will be there, so here is the part most people will be there for. Planning a menu can be a small but impactful place to create your mood and tone. If you land on potluck style, this part is much easier because as the host you are only expected to have a few staple items, everyone else will fill in the rest. Make at least one thing people can fill up on, one dessert, and have something to drink. This way in case everyone somehow shows up empty-handed, you’re covered.
If you plan to provide all of the food, you have the chance to curate your guest’s experience. Starting from the appetizer, down to drinks and dessert, make your menu cohesive by having a common color or ingredient that matches the theme.
Hosting a fall-inspired event? What about throwing some apples throughout the recipes you choose? Want to go more classic Friendsgiving, make traditional meals that scream homecooked and comfort.
Whatever you choose, your menu should be within your skillset and in line with the theme. Once you decide on each dish, don’t forget to go through each recipe and write out a grocery list for everything you could need. This way you don’t get lost in the menu and forget something crucial.
Inspiration
6. Decor and Ambiance
Here is what most people think about when they think about party planning. The decor and ambiance of your party will directly correlate to the theme you’ve chosen and will be one of the first things your guests notice.
First, work with your space. Take a look at what you already have available that can be repurposed as decor. If you have candles around the house, move them and use them on the dinner table for the night. You can do this with fabrics or dishes or by turning your TV into artwork for the night or a menu.
Decor can also be interactive, place blankets that match the theme on your chairs for guests to grab if they get cold.
When thinking about adding decor, remember that larger, more substantial items matter more than small trinkets. You won’t miss confetti on the table or themed plates if you have a show-stopping tablescape. If you have a more abstract theme, lean into the color palette. Swap out plain options for color in places like your place cards, napkins, or florals. Don’t forget to mind the materials, paper plates and plastic bowls have no place at a chic dinner party.
7. Activities
If you want to do something more than eat and enjoy each other’s company, you should consider that beforehand. This way you can ensure you have the space and materials needed. Your activity can be something as simple as saying what you are thankful for, or a full-out game night. You know your friends so you can decide best.
This may all seem like a lot, and it can be, but if you follow the steps and give yourself plenty of time, it will all come together flawlessly.
Don’t forget to leave yourself time to get ready on the day of your Friendsgiving, the host always gets caught up in preparations, but you should be ready when your guests arrive.
If you want more hosting content, consider checking these out!
