How to Throw an Awesome Friendsgiving if You Can’t Go Home

By Amanda Macmillan

Thanksgiving is often all about family, but for those who can’t get home for the holiday—as well as those who love Turkey Day so much that they want to do it more than once a year (and without crazy Uncle Lou every time)—there’s Friendsgiving.

The act of celebrating Thanksgiving with friends rather than relatives (either on the actual holiday or another day near the end of November), Friendsgiving is popular among transplants to big cities living far from Mom and Dad, as well as young adults who don’t yet have big immediate families of their own. These parties may not be as conventional as a family dinner, but what they lack in tradition they make up for in originality, fun, and of course, delicious food. Here’s everything you need to know to throw a Friendsgiving party that’s even better than the real thing (or at least won’t leave you longing for Mom’s sweet potato casserole.

Host Duties

Fun as it is, holding Friendsgiving probably isn’t as simple as throwing together a backyard barbecue or a kegger in the basement. See, it’s first and foremost a dinner party, says Caryn Roland, owner and event manager at Heirloom Cuisine Catering in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and every guest needs not just a place to sit but also a place to set their food down and eat (unless your friends happen to have a third hand and can juggle a full plate of food and a glass of wine while dining). Luckily borrowing or renting a few card tables and some folding chairs or benches shouldn’t be too hard, Roland says.

VIP List

Invite only as many people as you can comfortably seat in your home (or tiny apartment), Roland says, or else your guests may end up crowded and unable to enjoy their meals. But if you’ve still got room once you’ve reached out to your closest pals, consider asking neighbors, coworkers, or friends-of-friends who may not have family nearby. “You can really make someone’s holiday if they don’t already have Thanksgiving plans,” she says.

Let’s Talk Turkey

The bird (and gravy) should be the host’s responsibility, Roland says, since it’s easier to cook at the party venue than for someone else to prepare and transport it. Decide how big yours should be (the USDA recommends one pound per person, but go bigger if you want leftovers) and where you’ll buy it from at least a week ahead of time. If it’s frozen, keep in mind that it will need to thaw in the fridge for about 24 hours for every four to five pounds.

If the thought of all that brining, stuffing, and basting is overwhelming (or a giant bird won’t squeeze into your big-city, tiny-apartment), no worries. “There are …read more

Source:: Greatist