So, let’s talk about Friendsgiving Dinner Ideas, and the best part these work for Thanksgiving dinner too.
Also. the air is crisp, leaves are on the ground, and we are wearing sweaters, jeans, and boots.
Today, I’m taking part in a Friendsgiving Hop with my blogging friends. Heidi from Eleanor Rose Home is our host. Thanks for hosting Heidi!
So if you are coming from visiting Lynn from Living Large in a Small House welcome. I hope you enjoyed her progressive dinner with friends. Lynn is always inspiring.
A Little About Me and Cloches & Lavender
A Little About Me and Our Blog
Welcome to Cloches & Lavender, my name is Cindy I love to share easy crafts, home decorating inspiration and easy recipes. Most of all you will see me using natural elements in our home decor to decorate our French Country home for the different seasons.
If you would like to see more visit my About Me Page. To see the types of crafts I share make sure to visit my DIY & CRAFTS section and sign up to follow our family so you never miss any ideas we are sharing.
My Love of Fall
My Love of the Fall Season
The fires are roaring in our homes along with candles burning. There are also the smells coming from the oven filled with spices and sweetness. It means cakes, cookies, and pies. Yes, this time of year means carbs and overeating but doing all of this in moderation is the key.
It’s also the time of year for more hugs, kisses, and seeing our favorite people so today I’m sharing Friendsgiving dinner ideas.
During this time of year our homes are filled with smiling faces, stories about the old days, chatting about things that are new in our lives, and laughter and giggles from the little ones filled with excitement.
I absolutely love every part of Thanksgiving dinner and I wait for it all year. Yes, I love our traditional Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners too. There’s just something about thanksgiving that makes me so excited about the meal itself and hearing football in the background and everyone saying they ate too much and then sprinting to the table when they hear dessert is ready.
Yes, it’s Thanksgiving but have you ever thought about a Friendsgiving?
Friendsgiving can be a fun time to spend with your closest friends that may be traveling to see their family in other areas of the country.
What’s Celebrating Friendsgiving All About?
This is All About a Celebration with Closest Friends
What’s this day about? Friendsgiving lets people enjoy all the best parts of Thanksgiving. Fantastic food such as sweet potatoes, apple cider, football games, and lots of laughs.
So, if this is your first time hosting Friendsgiving here are some tips to make sure it all goes as smoothly as possible and it’s a fun time for all.
Tip: If you are the Host?
After deciding on a date immediately email the guests with the list of Friendsgiving food ideas and categories of dishes necessary. Also, make it clear that there can’t be any repeated recipes. So if the first person or two responds “I’ll do sweet potato casserole and I’ll bring creamy mashed potatoes they get to bring them.
The host also needs to double-check for food allergies. After all, these are your closest friends, right? I’m sure you will know if they have any allergies but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
And yes, someone may get stuck bringing a snack like potato chips but that’s not a terrible thing, is it? If it makes someone feel as though they aren’t contributing enough ask them to bring another food too.
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May I suggest thinking about using a Google sheet with a list for your Friendsgiving feast? This will make it an easy way for everyone attending to have access and see what the choices are so there’s not too much food.
Basic Rules for Main Dishes and Turkey
Hosting This Event With Friends and Main Dish Ideas
Generally, the host makes the main dishes which are the whole turkey and gravy for Friendsgiving. However instead of a turkey how about a crockpot turkey breast? This is less stress and saves the whole turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. This way there isn’t turkey overload either.
Keeping the Turkey Moist
Having a Moist Turkey
However, if a turkey is in the plan, the best way to get a moist and crisp turkey is to salt and pepper it the night before. Put it on a dish and in the refrigerator uncovered overnight. This will allow the skin to dry out a bit. And this is a trick to get crispy skin for your Thanksgiving dinner.
When you take this out there will be juices in the bottom of the dish. Remove the meat and add it to a rack in a roasting pan.
Also, this is the perfect time to add fresh sage to softened butter and make sage butter to add under the skin of the breast of the turkey the next day.
The next day preheat the oven to the temperature recommended on the packaging. Next, allow the turkey to come to room temperature before adding it to the oven, I do this every year for a good reason.
Before adding the turkey to the oven I melt unsalted butter and olive oil in a small pot over medium heat. Also, I slice the skin from the breast and add the sage butter underneath. This is a great way to keep the breast moist and adds tons of flavor. Finally, season the top with turkey seasonings, or herbs de Provence, and salt and pepper.
Also, I make sure to add a good amount of white wine, and chicken broth to keep the roasting pan from drying out. This also keeps the turkey very moist. One of the best things about doing this is I never have to baste to achieve a nicely browned turkey for Thanksgiving day. I haven’t had a dry one yet either!
Seating Arrangements for Thanksgiving
Seating Ideas for a Pre-Thanksgiving Gathering
Make sure to have place cards so everyone knows where they are sitting. This way there’s no awkwardness and this is less chaotic when it’s time to relax and enjoy Friendsgiving dinner. These can be made easily using this idea and it works for so many ideas.
These napkin rings will be a perfect addition to your Friendsgiving table too and as a bonus, they are fast to make.
Appetizers are a Must Such as Dips
Appetizers are a Must for Celebrating with Friends
Have someone bring artichoke dip which is often a crowd-pleaser. Make sure they bring crackers and great bread for dipping. Also, have a sour cream dip recipe for dipping assorted chips, and make sure someone brings fresh fruit.
Side Dish For This Holiday Celebration
Side Dishes and Options This Holiday
When getting ideas for side dishes for your Friendsgiving party these are great options. Make many classic side dishes too. As an example, the ultimate comfort food, homemade mac and cheese, corn pudding, cranberry sauce, and Brussels sprouts yes, Brussels sprouts.
Here’s a simple recipe, add these to a roasting pan and drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper and combine and then add cubed pancetta to the pan and roast at 400 degrees F for 30-40 minutes. You will love this recipe, guaranteed. I have converted many with this dish on my menu.
Desserts Are a Perfect Ending to This Dinner
Make Sure There are Sweets to Finish Friendsgiving
No holiday table is complete without desserts it’s the best part. Make sure there’s apple pie, pecan pie, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin biscotti, sweet potato pie, or my case pumpkin cheesecake.
If you like to try biscotti and don’t want to bake them I highly recommend this brand.
This is a delicious recipe filled with spices, brown sugar, cream cheese, and pure pumpkin not pumpkin puree. And the crust takes it to the next level are ready? It’s gingersnap cookie crust and it’s the perfect ending for your Friendsgiving celebration or Thanksgiving dinner!
I look forward to sharing this recipe with you this week. My homemade cheesecakes are one of my family’s favorite desserts. It’s often requested. Do your family or friends make requests too?
Cheesecakes are actually one of the easiest recipes to make for the holiday season. And because we are stuffed from the heavy foods that come with Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving dinner I try to keep my dessert table with smaller portions. It’s perfect because it’s an especially long day and we can always come back for seconds since the sweets are in smaller portions.
I hope you enjoyed this post about Friendsgiving dinner ideas. I also hope you got some great ideas to make this the best holiday season with your closest friends and above all your family.
Now please take time to visit my friend Aliya from Open Doors Open Hearts who always share her beautiful home!
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Great tips Cindy. I am actually hosting a Friendsgiving next month. What a fun way to be with close friends and family to enjoy a great meal and fun family games after dinner. Happy New Week. xoxo Kris
Have a great time. I know it will be so much fun!
Cindy what a beautiful post. I love your dinnerware! It’s so festive!
Thanks so much!
I loved all of your Friendsgiving tips Cindy! Your place settings are beautiful, love that dinnerware! Pinned!!!
Thank you Heidi. Can you believe I found it thrifting?
Wow! So much great information. Happy Friendsgiving!
Thanks so much Renae. Thanks for visiting!
It all looks so delicious!!! Thanks for sharing these great recipes!
Thanks Robyn
Dear Cindy –
So many great Friendsgiving ideas. I have never heard of salt and peppering the turkey the night before. I will have to try that.
I’m telling you it works like a charm.
Cindy your dishes are stealing the show! So pretty and perfect for fall! 🙂
Thanks so much Brittany!
I love all your tips and the food looks amazing! Everything looks so beautiful!
Thank you very much!
Such great tips Cindy!! Thanks for sharing all these wonderful ideas!
Thanks so much Aliya
Hi Cindy!
Wow your Friendsgiving table looks so beautiful! I love the touches of blue you added and your cheesecakes look amazing. I can’t wait for the recipe. I pinned your table to my Thanksgiving board 🙂
xoox
These are delicious and full of flavor!
Cindy, this is all so beautiful and such great ideas for a perfect Friendsgiving gathering!! Pinning!
Thank you Emily!
I love all of these tips! And your table settings are stunning! saving for later.
Thank you so much
Such a beautiful way to celebrate friends, Cindy! I love your helpful tips and tricks and your beautiful place settings and hydrangeas too. They’re fabulous! Hugs, CoCo
You are always so awesome CoCo!
Cindy, love learning more about you. Your table looks lovely! Have a wonderful weekend in front of the roaring fire!
Thanks Elizabeth!
I love the ide of celebrating Friendsgiving! Thanks for all the great tips! Your dishes are gorgeous and look wonderful paired with the hydrangeas!
Thank you Donna!
So many great ideas here, Cindy.
Thank you!
You’re getting me in the mood for my favorite holiday! After Thanksgiving Day with my family, I think I might do a Friendsgiving on Saturday!
That will be fun and thanks for the visit Amy. Hope you are doing well!
Cindy, everything looks beautiful! Happy Thanksgiving!
I’ve never heard of Friendsgiving but I love this idea. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve never done a Friendsiving! Your decorations look so pretty.
I love these friendsgiving dinner ideas! So fun!