Your Guide to Hosting Friendsgiving: Food, Drinks, and More!
The holiday season is wonderful time to celebrate friends, family, and food. One of the best “holidays” of the coming months is Friendsgiving. Maybe you can’t make it home for Thanksgiving this year or you just want to have a fun potluck with your school friends before you leave Oxford. It can be daunting to think of all the cooking, cleaning, and decorating that has to happen in order to host a full-blown dinner, right? After all, how many of us actually have the necessary utensils or the means to brine and cook a whole turkey? With this guide full of easy-but-still-homemade recipes and tips, you’ll become the ultimate Friendsgiving host in no time!
The Food
The most important aspect of hosting a Friendsgiving also seems the hardest, but with these recipes, you’ll be able to cook homemade iconic Thanksgiving foods without the hassle.
Pro-tip: make your dinner a potluck so everyone gets a chance to show off their culinary skills and you’re not stuck in your kitchen for hours.
Appetizers
These recipes are simple, easy, and they rarely make a mess. Check out these awesome and super easy examples!
Boursin Stuffed Mushrooms
It’s hard to believe that these gorgeous stuffed mushrooms only have a few ingredients. If you want to simplify them even more, skip the breadcrumbs and just use mushrooms and Boursin cheese!
Easy Biscuits
These biscuits are incredibly easy to make whether you have your own kitchen or are using the one in your residence hall.
Main Courses & Sides
These iconic Thanksgiving dishes are part of the main event. If you’re worried about managing a turkey or stuffing, fear not! You can still have your favorite foods without all the work.
Microwave Mashed Potatoes
I know, I know. Mashed potatoes you can cook in the microwave sound like an impossible dream. But that dream is about to come true! With only four ingredients and no need for an oven, this recipe is perfect for college students!
Everything Bagel Stuffing
While this recipe does require some chopping, no Thanksgiving stuffing would be complete without the yummy veggies! Slip some Miami tradition into your meal and use everything bagels instead of regular bread! The seasoning on the bagels means less work for you! Pro-tip: if you don’t want to toast your bagels in the oven, leave them out overnight to dry them.
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
If you’ve ever gotten into an argument with friends about whose mom really makes the best mac and cheese, this is the recipe for you! It may be tempting to just grab a few boxes of Kraft, but this baked mac and cheese will really make your guests feel like they’re at home!
Roasted Turkey Breast
The ultimate Thanksgiving food! But who has time to brine and cook a whole turkey? Instead of a ten-pound bird, pick up some turkey breasts instead. They take far less time to cook and prepare and are great for smaller gatherings.
Desserts
Be careful not to stuff yourself with the recipes above or you won’t have room on these delicious and easy desserts.
Pumpkin Pie Bites
A fresh take on a holiday classic, these pumpkin pie bites use crescent roll dough as a crust, making them super simple and fun! They’re perfect for sharing with friends.
Cranberry Sauce
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While some people do love it straight out of the can, this fresh, homemade cranberry sauce will take your Friendsgiving to the next level.
Drinks
No meal is complete without something to wash it down with. These simple drinks are the perfect way to tie the whole dinner together.
Apple Pie Punch
This easy punch recipe tastes like apple pie in a glass and is the perfect thing for your guests to sip on while they wait for the food to heat up.
White Hot Chocolate
This homemade white chocolate is the perfect drink to keep everyone warm during the post-turkey slumps. It’s easy and tastes fantastic!
The Table
There’s more to hosting a meal than just the food. With these tips, you’ll impress your friends with little effort!
Gold Leaf Place Cards
Sure to wow your guests, these simple place settings turn an average meal into a fancy affair. If you don’t have a gold leaf pen, just use paint! Learn how here.
Table Settings
Knowing the proper placement for utensils and plates will make your table look clean and Instagram-worthy. It may seem unnecessary but it will really set you apart as a host.
With these tips and tricks, you’ll be the ultimate Friendsgiving host. Whether it’s in your living room or your residence hall basement, you have all the necessary tools to host the perfect gathering for your friends to let them know how thankful you are to have them. Have a wonderful and warm Thanksgiving!
Love and Honor (and Thanks),
Student Life