A Warm and Welcoming Friendsgiving

November 17, 2017
by HG Guest

Gifting Kitchen and Dining Seasonal Decor

Photography by Candice Adelle Photography

The concept of a Friendsgiving is becoming ever more popular.  Like a traditional Thanksgiving, a Friendsgiving is also based around a meal, but is celebrated with friends rather than family. Since a Friendsgiving is generally in a less formal setting, there is no need to pull out all the stops to make a fancy dinner. The fun is in making your own traditions and creating a warm and welcoming celebration.

Photography by Candice Adelle Photography

Without all the expected traditions to follow, Friendsgiving is an opportunity to have fun creating your table, menu, and decor. Food and drink still take center stage, so a sit-down meal allows guests to linger and visit with friends.  Skip the formal dinnerware and fancy serving pieces and instead mix and match patterns, colors, and florals to create a beautiful table.

Photography by Candice Adelle Photography

For the table, mix dishes in fall tones of copper, cream, and orange with patterned pieces or those with untraditional colors like navy and green. HomeGoods has unlimited possibilities of dishes and serving pieces to set a showstopping table.  Don’t forget gorgeous flowers, when set in low bowls they won’t hinder the conversation among friends.

Photography by Candice Adelle Photography

To keep a casual feeling as guests arrive, a buffet-style appetizer station allows for a relaxing start to the celebration and guests can help themselves. A first course of soup, served in a beautiful tureen, is the perfect way to warm up on a chilly fall day.

Photography by Candice Adelle Photography

On the buffet beautiful copper stands of varying height hold appetizer displays. For a seasonal touch, tuck a small bowl inside a hollowed-out pumpkin as a festive option to serve a dip and set out small plates of appetizers to tide your guests over until the main event– the Friendsgiving meal.

Photography by Candice Adelle Photography

A self-serve drink station allows friends to help themselves to a beverage of choice. Copper Moscow mule mugs are the perfect seasonal touch at this time of year and are perfect for serving a signature fall cocktail. Fill a bar cart with bottles, accessories, and essentials like ice and glasses and guests will have everything they need to mix a cocktail in one place.

Photography by Candice Adelle Photography

Photography by Candice Adelle Photography

A few throw pillows, tufted ottomans, and outdoor lanterns (that can be lit up later at night) make for the perfect lounge area before dinner begins. Indoor furniture brought outside by the fire creates an entertaining area, the perfect place to gather both before and after the Friendsgiving meal.

Photography by Candice Adelle Photography


Photography by Candice Adelle Photography

A self-service dessert station allows everyone to gather by the fire once the dinner portion of the meal is complete. These mini-pies set on a tiered stand are the perfect twist on the traditional Thanksgiving dessert. Tied with ribbon and a cute small spoon, they make the perfect after dinner treat.

Photography by Candice Adelle Photography

Set alongside the dessert display, a coffee bar encourages guests to linger. There is no rule that formal silver can’t be mixed with paper cups {making fewer dishes to do later}, and setting everything out ahead of time makes for less to do during the event.

Photography by Candice Adelle Photography

Just like Thanksgiving, a Friendsgiving is about the food, and with that comes leftovers. These kraft paper leftovers containers are not just practical, but they look pretty set up on display too.

Photography by Candice Adelle Photography

A small station set up by the door with disposable containers makes it easy to send treats home with departing guests, and thoughtfully tucking in a disposable knife and fork makes it easy for them to enjoy their leftovers later.

Photography by Candice Adelle Photography

A Friendsgiving is the chance to be creative with your celebration, after all, it’s the time with friends that truly matters.  Any of these ideas can be easily implemented for a large or small group, and you can find all the entertaining and decorative accessories needed to create the perfect Friendsgiving at HomeGoods.

Photography by Candice Adelle Photography

Amy is a paid blogger. For more entertaining ideas, please visit us at www.11magnolialane.com