COVID-19 changed every anticipation about this year. Surely, we were all thinking of the worst-case scenario, but a sudden disappearance of toilet paper and stocking of cleaning products probably was not what we had in mind. I found myself the most upset during quarantine because shutting myself away from all of my friends proved challenging. It was the last semester of my senior year in high school when they transferred all of our classes online. Though I knew we would all be going away soon after graduation, the wall between us felt miles thick when our last few weeks of senior privileges were reaped from us.
Months later, it is still challenging to have a positive outlook on the situation. Especially when the people you were planning to visit on holidays are only capable of talking through a screen; well, those three months we were locked indoors and taught ourselves to make pumpkin bread from scratch might have come in handy. If you nixed Friendsgiving from your agenda, I am here to explain how you can still celebrate it this year, step-by-step, and with a few modern modifications.
Step one is simple: rally your OG’s, gal pals, best buds, and everyone in between. Albeit the fact you can’t go outside, you can still go all out! Make handwritten invitations. Decorate your home with every fall-scented candle and autumnal color you have on hand. Make this a celebration YOU will be thankful for hosting.
Step two: assign various tasks (games, crafts, entertainment) to everybody willing. As for food, everybody will be making it themselves this year. More pumpkin bread for you!
Step three involves research. After handing out duties to each partygoer, urge them to search online for inspiration. There are many free games accessible through a computer or phone which offer multi-player. Among Us is one of the many recent, top-charting games, free on all IOS and Google Play Stores, where you can create your private games for you and your friends. If you wanted to be extra festive, there are holiday-themed hats you can use to customize your character and make them stand out. Another fun group activity to try out is a DIY! You can order kits/supplies online, or, better yet, find ideas that use generic household items.
Step four (and the ones following) require a mobile device. After grouping, every person attending this year’s Friendsgiving should download at least one application where video-chat is accessible, and there are several options. Skype, Zoom, and Facetime are just a few free, accessible options. A personal favorite of mine, however, is Airtime. If your guest list exceeds ten people, this is not a viable option for your specific party. However, with a tight-knit group, Airtime allows you to chat and share countless videos, photos, movies, and music all at once! This app is excellent for catching up on all you have missed the last couple of months with your friends and sharing all of what you did while quarantined—even if all you did do was watch television or sleep.
Step five is where the party finally begins! All the festivities are in action, and you can be equally close and cautious with your BFFs. And if you really think you know your guests inside and out, trivia games never disappoint. Two Truths and a Lie, Who Knows Me Best, and Likes and Dislikes are just a few that can crank up the competition for who the group’s best listener is. Even if there are people you might still consider an acquaintance attending the party, these games are equally entertaining icebreakers.
Step six is optional and recommended for those who enjoy competitions. If you have access to PayPal, Venmo, or any other secure payment application installed on your device, set a few bets in place for the games or crafts. This not only adds incentive to the activities, but also ends in the decided winners leaving with a couple of dollars, and perhaps a threatening message (depending on how severe your loss was) tagged along with the payment notification.
These six, easy steps will ensure you a Friendsgiving worth remembering! Being apart shouldn’t stop you from sharing a laugh with those you love most, so don’t let it!