It’s officially November, which means that Thanksgiving is right around the corner. While many college students are looking forward to a week-long break and even getting ready for Christmas, hosting a Friendsgiving gathering is a fun way to slow down and soak up the season of gratitude. Here are the main tips for how to host the Friendsgiving that everyone will be talking about until the ball drops on New Year’s!
The first thing everyone will notice is the decor. Painted banners can double as festive artwork and the cutest backdrop for a digital camera photoshoot. Garlands of all varieties channel the fall spirit, whether they’re made of paper rings, dried fruit, felt, or fabric bows. Everything earth-toned and pumpkin-colored is welcome, from the invitations to the centerpieces on the tables. Halloween pumpkins can be repurposed for outdoor scenery to complete the look both inside and outside.
No Friendsgiving is complete without fall-themed food, and a potluck makes feeding a crowd easy as pie (get it?). Some fun recipes I’ve seen include a turkey-shaped sourdough loaf, cheese and crackers assembled into miniature pie slices, and brownies swirled with pumpkin pie filling. Each guest can sign up to bring a creative side or dessert. If you’re feeling competitive, you can even try making a bracket and awarding the winners of each category with candy corn!
Crafting is one of the coziest hobbies for the autumn season, and there are plenty of artistic activities to choose from. Coloring pages are simple and low-effort, and candle painting is a functional and enjoyable craft for more advanced artists. Going around the table and describing what each person is grateful for is another classic Thanksgiving tradition that can really bring a friend group closer.
From turkey-themed charcuterie boards to pumpkin painting, Thanksgiving is a fantastic holiday to bring friends together. So, turn on the Phoebe Bridgers and light your cinnamon candles. Your Friendsgiving potluck is sure to be a success!