Friendsgiving

Do you have a group of friends that are more like family?  Get ready to show your gratitude for this amazing group with a Friendsgiving celebration.  A Friendsgiving will typically be a more laid back- appetizers, cocktails, and desserts- style meal. Hosting a fun, potluck party for your chosen family of friends can be a great way to give additional thanks before or in place of a more formal Thanksgiving meal with immediate and extended family.

Here are our top tips and tricks to host a hassle free Friendsgiving!

First decide what you will provide as host. We suggest a ready-made cocktail, an appetizer, and one dessert option. Once this is decided, create an invitation for your Potluck Friendsgiving. Ask people to RSVP via email with what they will bring so you have a sense of the menu for the day.

Rubi and Lib has custom made Thanksgiving/ Friendsgiving cups for such occasions! We even offer digital file options, which are able to be emailed or printed personally at home or the location of your choosing.

With your guests invited it is time to assemble your Host’s menu. Remember that, though you are hosting, you guests will be bringing additional food and snacks and the event shouldn’t become a stressful 5 course meal if that wasn’t your initial intention. We’ve included a few recipes of our suggestions below, though a quick google search or Pinterest session is sure to provide additional Friendsgiving themed ideas!

For the adult guests, we recommend this delicious and simple Thanksgiving cocktail, the “Cider Smash”by Martha Stewart:

2 ounces bourbon

1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

4 ounces chilled sparking apple cider

Thin red-apple slice

Pour bourbon and lemon juice into a tall Champagne glass. Top with apple cider. Garnish with apple slice.

If Children will be attending your Friendsgiving, they can have the plain sparkling apple cider as their special drink treat! Everyone can feel included as you pop the bubbly and serve!

As a special touch you might consider our Thanksgiving cups.  They even come with lids and straws for the younger kiddos!

 

 

We’ve got to have some Turkey for our Friendsgiving! This recipe for Turkey Cheddar sliders is a non traditional way to add Turkey into your Friendsgiving menu. It is also quick, easy, and makes our mouths water! Recipe found from www.eatdrinklove.com, you can find the recipe here.

Ingredients
1/2 cup mayo
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1 teaspoon mustard powder
2 tablespoons chives, divided
12 Hawaiian Rolls, sliced in half
1 pound thinly sliced turkey
about 8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick spray. Set aside.

In a food processor, add the mayo, garlic, mustard powder, and 1 tablespoon of the chives. Blend until smooth.

Place the bottom half of the rolls into the baking dish. Then divide the turkey evenly and top with the cheddar cheese.

Spread the mayo mixture on the bottom of the top rolls and place on top of the turkey and cheese. Press down lightly.

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, and the remaining chives. Brush the mixture over the top of the rolls. Cover with foil and bake for about 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 5 more minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve.

As the host provided dessert option, you might want to give out take home baggies of snacks for the kids (and adults) and make an activity out of it!   This dessert/activity was Inspired by craftionary.net, and can be found here.

Cupcake tray with chocolate and caramel pieces to be melted in the oven

Bowls of sprinkles, crushed cookie, mini M&Ms, and other small dessert decorations

Sliced apples on Popsicle sticks (You will want to assemble this ahead of time)

Paper plates for letting the apples dry

Baggies and stickers to package them for home