Celebrating the holidays may be a little different this year, but that doesn’t mean they’re cancelled. Friendsgiving is one of the best ways to celebrate the people who have lifted you up during 2020. Today I’m excited to share 5 tips for hosting Friendsgiving outside.
As the year 2020 nears its end, we can all collectively agree we wouldn’t be standing without our friends. Many friendships have become stronger and should be celebrated! As a way to honor the people we love most, why not host Friendsgiving? I’m so excited to share this outdoor Friendsgiving my friends Claire, Kristy, and Helen hosted during our trip to Vermont this month.
5 Tips for Hosting Friendsgiving
Choose a color scheme
There are so many different color schemes when it comes to decorating a Friendsgiving table. From traditional Thanksgiving prints to foliage inspired patterns to natural elements, the options are endless. We chose a very neutral color scheme with natural elements.
The Christmas Tree Shops offer a variety of harvest inspired options for decorating a fall table. There are tablecloths, table runners, cloth napkins, paper napkins, and tabletop decorations. The Christmas Tree Shops are not currently offering online purchases at this time, but you can check out the website for inspiration. They have an ever changing assortment that varies by store and our Orange, CT store was stocked with an amazing selection!
Design your place settings.
There is something so wonderful about sitting at a table with a place set just for you! The Christmas Tree Shops carries basic tablewear – white ceramic dishes, silver utensils, and glassware. I love their high quality and the versatility of using simple, but chic basic tablewear. The white dishes stand out against the beautiful orange fabric napkins and natural kumquats from a backyard tree.
A couple ways to personalize a Friendsgiving place setting:
- Monogram a mini faux pumpkin using permanent marker
- Write your guests initials on pumpkin wine glasses (they can take home!)
Looking for more festive plates for your Friendsgiving? Check out these Harvest Pumpkin Dinner Plates or casual Country Pumpkin Paper Plates.
Set your Menu
Friendsgiving does not have to be a four course meal – I say you should serve what’s easiest! Less time in the kitchen means more time with your friends.
I love a good charcuterie board and hearty soup when I’m dining with a group of people. They are casual dishes, easy to eat while socializing, and simple to prepare.
Other easy menu ideas for Friendsgiving: Potluck (everyone brings a dish), order your favorite Takeout from a local restaurant, pasta!
Hosting Friendsgiving OUTSIDE is the way to go in 2020!
Wondering how to host Friendsgiving during a time when large groups are discouraged from gathering? Take your friends OUTSIDE!
Unless you live in a climate thats frigid during November, there are plenty of ways around the cooler temperatures. Dress for the occasion, provide blankets for your guests, or light a bonfire.
Lastly, HAVE FUN!
Friendsgiving should be far from stressful. It’s a time when friends come together to celebrate and show gratification for the friendship.
For more about our gorgeous lakeside Friendsgiving in Vermont, be sure to visit Kristy, Claire, and Helen.
Thank you to The Christmas Tree Shops for partnering with Caitlin Houston Blog on this Friendsgiving post! As always, my opinions are honest and my own.
These tips on hosting friendsgiving are definitely the way to go. I like that you break down and show photos to give examples and multiple options. One of the ideas I like the most is bringing it outside and keeping things simple and easy. These are important things to remember especially with everything going on now! Thank you for the great tips!
This was so much fun!
Oh this is beautiful! I love the set up! So pretty. Would love to do a Friendsgiving. Maybe next year.
My husband and I have considered hosting a Friendsgiving even for several years now, but it’s never worked out as we hoped. We don’t have much space to gather in our townhome and really don’t have a large enough friend group to make it worthwhile. However, one day we’d love to do this! And you’re giving me tons of inspiration for the future.
This is so cute, and I love those orange napkins. Looks like a lovely time!
Surprisingly, I never thought about having a friendsgiving outside. That’s such a great idea. I would have only thought about have a traditional eating indoors.🙂
Great tips! My friends and I are doing an outdoor socially-distanced friendsgiving but I think we may be able to incorporate some of these ideas!
Wow!! Your friendsgiving is too adorable! Friendsgiving is one of my favorite parts about Thanksgiving!