Friendsgiving Dinner Party Ideas

Every year our friend group puts on a Friendsgiving dinner party. We take turns hosting and I always love when it's my turn. Here are some ideas I have used and some others I have found that I love!

Let's start with centerpieces:

This past year I made a simple yet beautiful centerpiece out of a cheesecloth table runner in a terracotta color, you can really do any color you want but this one really pops with the greenery.

For the greenery and fruit, I went with real. I used gourds, pumpkins and pomegranates. The greenery is silver dollar eucalyptus and some other ones that were at my local supermarket.

Lighting is also key to take the ambiance of the dinner party to another level. I used gold candle sticks and gold/white tapers. I also added string of these gold vine fairy lights for a little more! These acorn fairy lights would also look so cute.

Another year I used a fall garland that I usually put on my mantle. Still used the gold candle sticks but opted for burgundy colored tapers.

You can also opt for lighter shades like my friend Julie did. She started with kraft paper runner, topped with a green garland, white decorations and candles. It fit her house perfectly as she has a more rustic looking home inside.

Or keep it simple like my friend Holly. I love the denim table runner with pumpkins and the dark galvanized bowls!

Here are a few other garlands I think would look amazing as centerpieces:

Table Settings:

I love using my wooden chargers for my Friendsgiving tables. They give it a more woodsy, natural feel. You can also use gold, straw or rustic metal ones.

I like to not have to clean too many dishes so I always opt for disposable plates, utensils and napkins. You can take it to another level and use cloth napkins like my friend Julie did. I love her turkey napkin ring around the light green cloth napkin. Here are some disposable plates that look like like the real deal if you're somewhere in between.

For beverages I like to use real glasses. This past year I purchased these coupe glasses from the Target dollar spot. Then added leaf name markers I purchased from Etsy. Each guest got to take these both home as mementoes. Walmart has similar coupe glasses that will work great if you are looking for the same aesthetic.

Time for Food & Beverages:

It's always fun to incorporate a fall themed beverage. Last year I made this Fall Punch that was a hit.

Here is the recipe:

6c pumpkin spice apple cider

2c OJ

1c cranberry cocktail

2c ginger ale

Optional: Spiced rum or apple whiskey

Orange, apple, cranberries or cinnamon sticks for garnish

You can always have wine available too. Here is a fun way to display and serve the wine:

I turned orange and white pumpkins into wine dispensers. Of course I put white wine in the white pumpkin and red in the orange pumpkin then raised them so it was easy to dispense. I did have to remove some of the wine from the bag for it to fit.

This website has a great tutorial on how you can make your own. Although I do not cut the whole for the bag in the top of the pumpkin but the bottom so that the top looks better. Just be careful that the bag doesn't slip out!

For food we always do it potluck style. Everyone signs up to bring an item. I always bring the mashed potatoes because I have the perfect recipe that everyone raves about. The secret to perfect potatoes is using a potato ricer so I highly recommend you get one!

Best Mashed Potato Recipe:

2lbs Yukon Gold Potatoes, washed and quartered

4 cloves of garlic

Kosher salt

1c heavy cream warmed

1 stick butter cut into pats

Optional: white pepper

Boil garlic and potatoes with salt (It should taste like the ocean) about 20-25 minutes. Drain and pass through ricer. Bring cream to a boil in a saucepan. Add 1/3 cream and butter, stir and repeat 2 more times until blended. Add optional white pepper and more salt if desired.

If you're not a baker but have to bring a dessert, a fall themed dessert board is the way to go. It's cute and yummy!

Hope you and your friends have the best Friendsgiving ever!