Ultimate Friendsgiving Guide
Written By: Salma Falah
Friendsgiving is a great tradition to start with pals; delicious food, good company, and lots of fun! If you love hosting friends for events, friendsgiving will be one of your favorite times of the year. As a host or hostess you have an opportunity to serve tasty food and creating a beautiful table. Here are some tips for planning your friendsgiving!
Pick a theme- Your theme is key. It does not have to be in theme with thanksgiving, but, if that is what you prefer, go for it. Themes could range from a British Tea Party (if you feel like being ironic), breakfast for dinner, or even a pizza party!
Plan Ahead- Planning ahead is crucial. Friendsgiving is supposed to be a fun tradition, Do not ruin it with stress. Create a menu and theme in advance.
Centerpiece- Decorating your table will make your dinner exciting. If flowers are not in your budget, go to your local farmers market. You can buy pumpkins for a center piece. You can also scoop out the center of the pumpkin and use it as a vase. If you do so, you will definitely have an Instagram worthy table!
Drinks- Who’s ready for Mocktails or cocktails? Aesthetically pleasing drinks are the best way to welcome your guests.
Personalized Place settings- Place settings are always a nice touch. It makes your table seem more elegant and exciting. Maybe even try to make cookie place settings! Use a sugar cookie recipe and, in icing, write everyone’s names on top to decorate the cookie. Your friends will appreciate the sweet details!
Activities- You can have a movie night after the meal, and watch your friend group’s favorite movie or show! Try playing a fun board game such as cards against humanity or monopoly. Take the time to enjoy your amazing friends!
Giveaways- Giveaways are such a nice gesture! You can either get cute little boxes for people to take home their leftovers, or you can make an extra serving of a favorite dessert and wrap it to take home. It is such a warm touch, and your guests will love it.
Do it for a cause- New York City Blogger @WeWoreWhat asked all her guests for this year’s Friendsgiving to donate to the cause of her choosing. Consider having your guests follow suit and give back this year!
Dessert- Your guests will go crazy for a delicious dessert! For someone who does not love to bake, buy ready made cookie dough and make a warm toll house pie. Serve it with vanilla ice cream, and it will surely be a winner! If you want to step up your cookie pie game, try a s’mores pie by following the recipe check below!
S'mores Pie Recipe
½ cup of butter, room temperature or use Earth Balance sticks to make it Dairy Free
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 ½ cup chocolate chips melted
1 cups marshmallow fluff (not melted marshmallows)
1 bag mini marshmallows
Chocolate chips to top...
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix at a low speed until combined. Spray a tart pan or a cookie sheet well (if using cookie sheet put parchment)
press half to 3/4 of the dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan. Pour melted chocolate over dough. Place in the fridge until the melted chocolate becomes hard enough to be able spread the fluff on top of it in an even layer without them mixing together. Sprinkle with a few handfuls of mini marshmallows. Sprinkle chocolate chips or chocolate chunks Crumble the remaining dough in pebble-size pieces on top of the marshmallows.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the dough is lightly browned, and the marshmallows are golden and puffed. Cool completely before cutting into bars, or removing from tart pan.
