You won’t find this annual trendy festivity on the calendar, at least not yet. Friendsgiving is becoming increasingly popular. Perhaps you are unable to travel for Thanksgiving and so you’re going to be staying home in Westfield, IN. Or maybe you just want to skip the family drama and have a special event with your friends. For those friends who are like family, Friendsgiving is the perfect way to celebrate Thanksgiving.
We have some great Friendsgiving ideas and tips on how to keep it stress-free so that you can just lay back and enjoy yourself. But when is it and how soon should you begin planning?
Typically Friendsgiving is held a few days before or after Thanksgiving Day (which is Thursday, November 28th this year). Friendsgiving symbolizes breaking tradition, so there are no rules. You can have it anytime in November.
Don’t wait until the last minute to send out invitations. Give yourself time to contact your guests and give them plenty of time to RSVP. Send out invitations about a month in advance.
Since the holidays are the busiest time of the year, you can’t always pick a date and time that fits everyone’s schedule. Trying to accommodate everyone can be tricky, especially if you are inviting a large group. Ask your guests to narrow it down to one or two days that would work for them.
If you’re the techy one in the group, here are a couple of gadgets that will make your life easier:
You can also utilize features such as integration with your existing calendars (Google, Outlook, or Apple), a private messaging thread for the event, and push notifications.
Hire an Errand Service
Errand Service providers like HouseKeeping Maid Easy can take a tremendous load off your shoulders as you prepare for the big event. We can do the shopping for you and even help decorate.
Get a Kid Sitter
Is your event family-friendly? Consider getting one or two sitters to keep the whole group of youngsters while the parents enjoy themselves. Offer to pay your friends’ older teenagers to be the sitter, if possible. Make sure they have plenty of games to keep them busy. Encourage your friends to bring their favorite games or gadgets along to play with.
Do It Potluck Style
Do it potluck style to lighten your load. Ask everyone to bring a side dish or dessert (yes as the host, you should still provide the main meat entree). To avoid multiple crock pots of mashed potatoes (not that you can have too much mashed potatoes), use one of the apps previously mentioned or create an event on Facebook and post a registry-like list of side dishes.
Then ask guests to pick a dish on the list and claim it. That way no one will pick the same dish. Or if you prefer to cook the meal all on your own or have it catered, serve it potluck or buffet style where everyone can grab food whenever they want throughout the evening.
Hire an Event Cleaning Service
Most people dread the cleanup after hosting a party. It can be stressful just thinking about the mess. After putting yourself out to put on a fabulous Friendsgiving event that they will always remember fondly, the last thing you want to do is clean. So why not let HouseKeeping Maid Easy clean up after your Westfield party?
Boredom is Not on the Guest List!
This is a great way to remind us of how grateful we are for our dear friends. Instead of putting only flowers or food in those cute pumpkin bowls, use one for gratitude cards. Provide small index cards or cut paper into squares (choose colored construction paper in colors that match your theme). As guests arrive, ask them to write two things that they are thankful for (for a large group make it one thing) and drop it into the bowl. During or after the meal, draw cards one at a time and read them out loud. Ask for a few volunteers to help you read them.
Charades is a fun animated game to play with friends. Perfect for working off all of that Friendsgiving food you devoured. Try this autumn-themed version.
Any of these trivia games would be a nice ice-breaker. Throw in a few tidbits about your friends. It’s a good way for plus-one’s and newbies to get to know everyone.
Hide miniature turkeys and pumpkins or other items around your place and the backyard (weather permitting).
Board games are always a fun go-to. Play a few of your group’s favorites.
Put on a football game or watch a movie -- a funny holiday classic will do the trick every time
You don’t have to make your living room a movie theater. Just leave the TV playing in the background and guests can watch and talk to each other.
Along with doggy bags full of leftovers, give your guests a token to remember the occasion.
Whether or not this will be your only holiday event in November, Friendsgiving should be fun and laid back. Once you get all your Friendsgiving ideas together, HouseKeeping Maid Easy is here for you. Let us help make your holiday festivities easy and stress-free. Take the next step and make HouseKeeping Maid Easy part of your holiday planning.
Have a very Happy Friendsgiving!
