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Your Hostess Guide to Hosting the Perfect Friendsgiving

Your Hostess Guide to Hosting the Perfect Friendsgiving / A Hosting Home Blog

Friendsgiving Gathering

When Rob and I were building our home, we wanted it to be a place that we could use to love and serve others. We wanted to be able to invite people in, meet them where they are, and love on them well. Not only do I love hosting people in my home, but I also find it really important. We’re even called to hospitality in the bible. I do feel like it is one of the gifts that God gave me. So, to me, opening my home to love on others and encourage them is kingdom work.

“Each of you should use whatever gifts you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10

If you find yourself wanting to do the same this holiday season, hosting a Friendsgiving gathering is the perfect way to gather together with your friends and show how thankful you are for one another! If you’ve never heard of Friendsgiving before, it’s really simple! On Thanksgiving, you typically are gathered with your families. So Friendsgiving is just that – gathering with your friends! Whether it’s a Saturday afternoon / evening filled with food and football, or a Sunday lunch after church, I think it’s so important to get together with friends, show thanks, and fellowship with one another.

READ ALSO: How-To Set Your Table Like a Professional This Holiday Season

Your Hostess Guide to Hosting the Perfect Friendsgiving / A Hosting Home Blog

Your Hostess Guide to Hosting the Perfect Friendsgiving

If you’re also the Monica Geller of your friend group and hosting Friendsgiving sounds like something you want to do this year, I promise you’re going to want to make it a yearly affair. I also promise that it doesn’t have to be nearly as stressful as when you host the holidays every year!

Here are some of my top tips to hosting the perfect Friendsgiving Gathering this year. (That will make you and your friends want to make Friendsgiving your newest tradition!) Spoiler alert: It involves delegation, letting go of perfectionism, and focusing on the fellowship.

Delegate the Dishes

Part of what makes people stressed when hosting Thanksgiving is that they are stuck in the kitchen preparing all the dishes (while trying to get everything else ready at the same time!) Then they have about 30 minutes of rest to eat and fellowship before hopping back into the kitchen to clean everything up. Hosting Thanksgiving is a serious balance in timing – an exhausting and long day of balancing.

One of the things I love about hosting Friendsgiving is making it a potluck. I opt for simplicity by delegating the dishes and choosing to skip all of the stress that comes from preparing it all myself. When planning your Friendsgiving gathering, have your friends each sign up to bring one of their favorite signature dishes. (Usually I do this in a group message or Facebook event to avoid a lot of repeat dishes.) Not only does it make it much more affordable on you to open your home – but it takes so much of the pressure off!

Grazing Station as People Arrive

As an introvert, I know that the most awkward part of going to someone’s home is when you first arrive and you’re standing around unsure of what to do next. This is why when I like to have a grazing station on the bar in my kitchen with appetizers out as people start arriving. Not only does it give people a little something to tide them over until it’s time to eat, but it also allows for a buffer for those friends who never show up on time. (or if whatever you’re preparing is running unexpectedly behind!)

My favorite thing to put out on my bar for people to graze on as people arrive is a charcuterie board. (I LOVE a good charcuterie board.) They are definite crowd pleasers. Meanwhile, it’s a light appetizer for people to snack on before the meal that won’t fill them up too much. Read about how I create my epic crowd pleasing charcuterie boards, HERE.

READ ALSO: How to Make an Epic Charcuterie Board

Pro Tip: Add a Friendsgiving activity to your grazing station to act as an icebreaker and give you something to talk about as people arrive. Have people write what they’re thankful for on a card to share with the group during dinner – or even some cute little photo props for people to take pictures with. 

Leave the Fine China in the Cabinet

I can guarantee another thing that stresses people out about hosting Thanksgiving is doing the dishes at the end of the day. After being in the kitchen all day preparing food, you only get an hour of rest before hopping back in the kitchen to clean it all up. When it comes to hosting Friendsgiving, do yourself a favor and leave the fine china in the cabinet. Leave the perfectionism at the door. Disposable place settings are your friend.

Pro Tip: I want to tell you how disposable place settings can be done super tastefully. Have you been in a Dollar Tree lately? You can get gold or silver beaded chargers for $1 each. But if you don’t even want to wipe those down at the end of the night, I got a few packs of these gold and silver square disposable chargers (in the pictures below) at At Home for $7.99 for a pack of 10. They’re made out of cardboard rather than plastic, and they can be thrown out after you use them – talk about easy!

You can even elevate the typical paper plate look while keeping the mess at a minimum with metallic rimmed plastic plates or even a square paper plate to match the chargers I am showing off below. I also went a step further to dress up the place settings with paper doilies to go under my thanksgiving themed napkins as well as silver plastic cutlery with black handles (that looked totally real!) In the end, it’s your table friend. Get creative! 

Everyone Loves Leftovers

Not everyone loves leftovers, but it seems like everyone loves Thanksgiving leftovers. To avoid everyone going home with just the leftovers of the dish they made, stock up on some of these take-out boxes from Amazon so you can make small to-go plates for your friends before they leave. (I promise they’re not going to hate you for it!) These stickers from Lily & Val would be the perfect touch!

Photo + Labels via Lily&Val

A Little Love To Go

I also love the idea of a little favor that your guests can take home with them at the end of the night. Even better? A little favor that doubles as a place card at your Friendsgiving table. These wood burned spoons (in the pictures below) were such an easy DIY and the perfect touch for a casual Friendsgiving tablescape. I made them all say something different and quirky – from Gobble and Que Pasta to Oh Crepe and Let’s Spoon (for Rob.) It was so cute!

Pro Tip: If you want to steal this idea and don’t have a wood burning kit, you can always write on the spoons with a sharpie. (Just tell your guests that it’s not food safe!) Purchase the wood spoons on Amazon, HERE. 

Your Hostess Guide to Hosting the Perfect Friendsgiving / A Hosting Home Blog Your Hostess Guide to Hosting the Perfect Friendsgiving / A Hosting Home Blog Your Hostess Guide to Hosting the Perfect Friendsgiving / A Hosting Home Blog Your Hostess Guide to Hosting the Perfect Friendsgiving / A Hosting Home Blog Your Hostess Guide to Hosting the Perfect Friendsgiving / A Hosting Home Blog Your Hostess Guide to Hosting the Perfect Friendsgiving / A Hosting Home Blog Your Hostess Guide to Hosting the Perfect Friendsgiving / A Hosting Home Blog Your Hostess Guide to Hosting the Perfect Friendsgiving / A Hosting Home Blog Your Hostess Guide to Hosting the Perfect Friendsgiving / A Hosting Home Blog

READ ALSO: DIY Framed Chalkboard Wall Tutorial

Hosting a Friendsgiving gathering is really the perfect way to gather together with your friends and show how thankful you are for one another this year. Whether it’s a Saturday afternoon / evening filled with food and football, or a Sunday lunch after church, I hope this post inspired you to open your home this thanksgiving season.

Do you plan to host Friendsgiving this year? Tell us your plans in a comment below!

November 6, 2019

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Atlanta based Award Winning Interior and Event Designer and Home Blogger Cathy Nugent

Hi, friends! I'm Cathy, a nationally published award winning designer of spaces to gather and southern belle writer based out of a small(ish) town outside of Atlanta, Georgia. However, most people know me as the Monica Geller of my friend group – a coffee connoisseur and dog mom with a huge heart for hosting and an eye for design. The heart behind what I do is simple. I want to help you be intentional on creating spaces to gather and celebrating life's precious moments - whether that be weddings, parties, or something as simple as having loved ones in your home. Living Simply, Loving Generously, and Hosting with Heart.

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Spoiler Alert: the tomb is empty // Easter on the Spoiler Alert: the tomb is empty // Easter on the Lawn at church this morning. Happy Easter, friends! He is risen! ✨I hope y’all had an amazing weekend surrounded by your loved ones. #ahostinghome #easter #easter2021
Continuing off my Insta Stories the other day... W Continuing off my Insta Stories the other day... What is it about being a new mom that has you obsessed with making things with your baby’s hand and foot prints? 😍👶🏼🤷🏼‍♀️ Here I go again trying to keep up with all the moms on Pinterest! Today on the blog I’m sharing some super cute Easter keepsake craft ideas for your weekend. ➡️ ahostinghome.com or click the link in my profile bio. ✨🥕🐰 p.s. If you try them make sure to tag me!! I want to see those baby prints! 💛 I hope everyone is having a wonderful Easter weekend! #ahostinghome
Celebrating John’s first year of holidays is som Celebrating John’s first year of holidays is something that I have loved and looked forward to so much. While we will be teaching John the real meaning behind Easter as he grows, I think celebrating with a fun Easter basket each year will be a great way to kick off the Spring season. I remember growing up my mom always had Easter baskets waiting for us in the morning, with candy filled eggs, fun activities, and little seasonal toys / treats. My parents would hide those plastic eggs in our yard, and we’d hunt (and re-hunt) them for hours. It’s those memories and traditions that I cherish and hope to start with John this year. I had so much fun this week putting together a little basket for John’s first Easter. I shared all the details on what’s inside as well as a lot of other baby Easter basket ideas over on the blog today if you’re in need of last minute inspiration! ➡️ ahostinghome.com or click the link in my profile bio. ✨ #ahostinghome

// also linking John Robert’s Easter basket via @liketoknow.it ➡️ http://liketk.it/3bPFu @liketoknow.it #liketkit @liketoknow.it.family #LTKbaby #LTKfamily #LTKkids
Dearest Layne, today may be your birthday, but I p Dearest Layne, today may be your birthday, but I pray that you know it isn't the only day I celebrate you or think of you. I love and miss you so much, little man. More than I could possibly put into words. I'm so proud of you. 💛 Today I celebrate your 38 minutes of life here on earth and praise God for your eternal life in the place we all long to be. I can't thank you enough for making me a momma. I can't wait to see you again one day. 🦋 Happy 2nd Birthday in heaven, my sweet baby Layne.

A letter to Layne on his 2nd birthday ➡️ ahostinghome.com or click the link in my profile bio. 🦋💛 #ahostinghome
I love when a shopping trip turns into a major str I love when a shopping trip turns into a major stroke of inspiration! We picked up these new beautiful stoneware dishes over the weekend, and I immediately felt so inspired to create a sweet and simple Spring tablescape with them. The lemon jars and greenery in my dough bowl give off a fresh Spring feel. Meanwhile, with the subtle touches of the season with the rabbit linen napkins and the garden label place cards, I think it’s really the perfect look for Easter, Mother’s Day, or any other meal with your loved ones that you want to make a little more special this Spring. Sharing the details for this tablescape over on the blog ➡️ ahostinghome.com or click the link in my profile bio ✨ #ahostinghome 

// linking my new stoneware dishes and more of this tablescape via @liketoknow.it ➡️ http://liketk.it/3bcDF #liketkit @liketoknow.it @liketoknow.it.home #LTKhome
hello Spring,☀️👋🏼 so nice of you to join hello Spring,☀️👋🏼 so nice of you to join us. Leave the pollen at home and let’s make some memories. I don’t know about you but I am always SO excited at the start of a new season. I’m looking forward to our master bathroom / shower (hopefully 🤪) being finished — and a bunch of other DIY projects I have planned (and promise not to leave Rob in charge of 😂) to refresh our home this year. I’m also so excited for sunny days and warmer weather to start getting outside with this babe! ☀️👶🏼🦋 What are you looking forward to this Spring? I’ll be back tomorrow to share a simple spring tablescape in my dining room featuring some new dishes that I snagged while shopping this weekend! #ahostinghome
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// linked John’s outfit via @liketoknow.it ➡️ http://liketk.it/3aTzD @liketoknow.it #liketkit @liketoknow.it.family #LTKbaby #LTKfamily #LTKkids #ltkseasonal #competition #ltkspring
Coming to y’all from baby jail — and when you’re a mom to a baby, 💩 happens. (No literally.) I’m all about making my life easier, and the @_mollieollie_ Mimmo Caddy has been one of my favorite new baby items because it keeps everything I need in one place. No more running around the house or back and forth to the nursery to grab baby essentials (and interrupting valuable play time!) It’s super durable, keeps its shape even when empty, and it’s made of a soft chemical-free felt material that makes it safe to hold all your baby’s essentials. Not to mention, POCKETS for all the things. 😍 I think what I’m most excited for though is how it’s going to make car diaper changes on our road trips this summer SO much easier. (Who else hates public restrooms? 🙋🏼‍♀️)

Showing y’all an up close look (and what I keep in it!) in Stories today! Visit the link in my profile bio and use the code 10hosting for 10% off your own Mimmo Caddy! ✨👶🏼 

// sponsored #mollieollie #ahostinghome
John Robert slept in his own room in his crib last John Robert slept in his own room in his crib last night for the first time (other than for naps) and I bawled like a baby as I prayed over him and rocked him to sleep. (&& then we saw each other again 2 hours later because #4monthsleepregression 😅) I know everyone tells you they grow up fast, but I feel like the past 4.5 months have gone by in a blink of an eye. I found myself SO upset already thinking of things I wish I had gotten to do in his newborn stage and wondering if I’m soaking up enough of the tiny precious moments I get with him everyday. (But really is that even possible?) Before I know it this room will be a big boy room, and then before I know it again he’ll be grown and on his own. I can’t wait to watch him grow up and experience life with him but oh gosh, I want him to stay this little forever. Andddd Here I go again... 😭🤧 #ahostinghome

// linking John Robert’s nursery via @liketoknow.it ➡️ http://liketk.it/3a6bT @liketoknow.it #liketkit @liketoknow.it.home @liketoknow.it.family #LTKbaby #LTKhome

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