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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Virginia Tech chapter.

Being away from home right before the holidays can be extra tough and all we can seem to think about before a long-awaited break is eating our favorite family dishes, sharing funny jokes with our cousins we don’t get to see often, or gathering for some family time we probably will be sick of after a few hours but look forward to nonetheless. If you’re anything like me, you have a family at school who you value just as much as your family back home. So if you’re too impatient to wait for the holidays to roll around, why not host a Friendsgiving before school lets out for Thanksgiving break? Here are some quick and easy recipes to get you started so that each of your friends can bring a dish to share! 

 

1. Green Bean Casserole 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/491807221805811042/

 

This is one of my personal favorites when it comes to Thanksgiving side dishes. My grandma always made a great green bean casserole, and nothing makes me think of great Thanksgiving dishes like this one! 

 

2. Sweet Potato Casserole 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/126311964534814744/

 

Can I ever get enough of potatoes? I don’t think it’s possible, but stay tuned. Regardless, I absolutely love sweet potato casserole on Thanksgiving. 

 

3. Mac and Cheese

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/86553624075560670/

 

Maybe it’s just a Southern family go-to, but honestly, how could you go wrong with a tray of mac and cheese at any party? It’s the number one comfort food for a reason. 

 

4. Mashed Potatoes

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/528680443757587409/

 

I swear I have dreams about mashed potatoes around the holidays. My mom makes the best mashed potatoes that have no lumps in them, which is exactly how I like them. However, the quality of lumpiness is completely up to you. 

 

5. Corn Pudding 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/273171533636041196/

 

My friend specifically requested this be put in here because of her obsession with this dish. How can you go wrong with a Southern comfort food tradition? 

 

6. Stuffing

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/100627372909875394/

 

Stuffing is one of those foods that you can never go wrong with, and it has always been hands down my favorite dish to eat on Thanksgiving. Everyone has vastly different ways of preparing it, but don’t be afraid to make it your own! 

 

7. Biscuits

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/273171533634557714/

 

Carbs are an absolute necessity on Thanksgiving, whether you’re making your own biscuits like these from scratch or just cracking open a tube of Pillsbury crescent rolls. Either way, consume those carbs happily, girl. 

 

These are just a few ideas to help get you started! Don’t be afraid to bring in family recipes to your Friendsgiving or to make everything your own, new style. Celebrate the near-end of another difficult semester with your friends and have a good time celebrating and chowing together! What more is Thanksgiving about than coming together in celebration, happiness and an overconsumption of calories? 

 

 

Image Source: Author’s Own 

Corinne Gorda

Virginia Tech '20

Proud Hokie alum and HC writer since 2017 here! I "graduated" from Tech in 2020 (Thanks COVID) with a degree in Public Relations, and I'm now a junior account executive for a PR agency. When I'm not working or writing, you can catch me spending time with my man, reading teen romance novels, or obsessing over my corgi.
Camden Carpenter

Virginia Tech '21

Senior studying Smart and Sustainable Cities, with hopes to become a traveling urban developer. Attemping to embody "Carpe Diem" in her everyday life, both physically by getting a tattoo of the quote, and mentally by taking risks while trying to maximize each day's full potential.