Friendsgiving has become a popular way to celebrate with friends around Thanksgiving. Whether you are planning a celebration before you leave for fall break or as an alternative to spending time with family, Friendsgiving can be a time to connect, enjoy delicious food and have fun.
Here are some tips to help you make the most of any celebration.
Celebrate with others
Sharing a meal and celebrating with friends is a great way to strengthen your friendships and get to know people better. You can learn about new cultures and traditions and honor different ways of celebrating holidays by creating a warm and inclusive atmosphere.
Fall break can also feel lonely for some students who may be staying in Boulder or won’t have family around. Planning a Friendsgiving meal can create a sense of community, comfort and connection.
Ways to celebrate
Recreating Thanksgiving favorites from home can be fun, but you don’t have to stick with a traditional feast. You can get creative with themes, foods and activities for you and your friends to enjoy. This year, think outside the box. For example, you can create an event tied to a favorite movie where everyone dresses up and plays movie trivia. Or you can ask people to dress in their favorite sports team attire and serve tailgating classics. The possibilities are endless!
Whether you go the traditional route or choose a different option, here are a few tips to help you pull off a fun celebration.
Menu ideas
You can stick with traditional Thanksgiving menu items or ask guests to bring their favorite dish representing their traditions. Cooking a turkey can be a lot of work and stress, especially if you don’t have a standard oven and roasting pan. If you want an easier option, consider purchasing a rotisserie chicken or preparing boneless turkey breasts.
You can also buy sides that you can heat in a microwave or require no cooking, like premade mashed potatoes, bagged salad, canned or frozen vegetables, premade rolls, cranberry sauce, jarred gravy and premade desserts. Many grocery stores also offer prepared foods in the deli section.
Here are a few simple recipes to try if you want to cook.