Although the thought of Thanksgiving might conjure up old memories of siblings and football and Aunt Sally’s mashed potatoes, what happens if you don’t have family in the area this year? Or even if you do, perhaps you would like to take a less traditional spin on the holiday for a change. Whatever your reason for not partaking in the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, Friendsgiving is a wonderful alternative! It’s the perfect time to start new traditions that bring together friends in celebration of the season and it can be as elegant or casual as you wish. There are no hard and fast rules here, but we’ll give you a few tips to make sure your planning starts off on the right foot.
Create A Guest List
Friendsgiving is all about spending the holiday with people you want to be with rather than those you’re obligated to see. Keep this in mind when creating your guest list and invite only those who embody the spirit of this non-traditional holiday. Good food and good company should be your first priority. Then, consider how many people you can fit comfortably in your home…if you’re blessed with beautiful November weather, hosting an outdoor feast is also well within reach. Event rentals provide gorgeous outdoor canopies in many sizes to keep your friends out of the elements.
Plan Your Menu
Friendsgiving is the perfect holiday for a potluck style dinner. Invite your friends to bring their favorite dishes – from an assigned category – to keep from having six helpings of potatoes.
If you’re having a large gathering, steam tables can help keep your dishes warm as guests arrive. If you’re looking for something more elegant, silver chafing dishes can add a touch of class to your table.
Have Enough Plates & Utensils
Although this holiday dinner is traditionally more laid back than Thanksgiving with the family, no one enjoys eating off flimsy paper plates and breaking off a disposable fork tine in their turkey. Thankfully, event rentals have a plethora of utensils and plates to choose from. Classy flatware and charger plates are a nice touch and add a more elegant feel to any dinner table.
Choose Your Decor
While you don’t have to go overboard with fall decor, there are many ways in which you can add a festive feel to your Friendsgiving dinner party. Tables draped with delicate linens are a quick way to dress up your everyday surfaces and candles scattered throughout the dining and social areas will bring immediate warmth and coziness to your gathering.
Add Fun To Your Feast
Once everyone has had their fill, stave off the turkey coma by planning a fun after-dinner event. A lively outdoor game might even ease a bit of guilt over that second piece of apple pie. Overall, party rentals are going to be a superb resource in your Friendsgiving planning. Renting as opposed to buying will save an enormous amount of time and money. So, whether you’re hosting for the first time or looking to spice up an established yearly tradition, A V Party Rentals is here to make your season memorable.