Friendsgiving is right around the corner so it is time to get planning! It is a night that is perfect to gather all your friends around for a meal, drinks, and some fun games. Here at The Hayley Daily, we love to throw parties and dinners so we have gathered all our knowledge and put it in this article for you! Check out the awesome ideas we have created below for a fun and unforgettable Friendsgiving.
Before you buy any of the below make sure you go through Shopback. Shopback will give you money back from your shop! How cool is that!
Friendsgiving Party Games
Let’s start with games. I am a sucker for card games. Having a deck of cards on hand is going to guarantee a good time! If card games are not for you we have some options below which can work for an outdoor, indoor, in pairs, teams or every man for themselves Friendsgiving celebration.
1. Card Games
2. Outdoor Friendsgiving Fun
3. Board Games
4. Team Sports
5. +18 Friendsgiving Games
Friendsgiving Decorations
Now that we have games and entertainment sorted it’s time to decorate! There are so many themes you could go with for your party. You also need to decide if you are going to deck out your whole house or just certain areas. If you are on a budget you could decorate your dining room table only and really make it a statement piece for the party.
1. Wall Banners
2. Friendsgiving Photo Booth
3. Table Decor
4. Friendsgiving Fall Theme
5. Friendgiving Party Favours
Friendsgiving Dinner
We now move to the 3 D’s, Dinner, Dessert and Drinks. First up the big D, Dinner. Dinner is what everyone looks forward to when it comes to a Friendsgiving get together. I like to give a mix of options for my guests. Everyone has different dietary requirements so its important to try and give everyone at least 1 dish they can eat. My go to is 2 main dishes and 3 sides.
1. Roast Chicken
I know traditionaly you cook up a big turkey for dinner but I much prefer roasting a delicious chicken. Depending on how many people you have coming over you could make up 2 chickens but here is the twist, make 2 different types of stuffing. Stuffing in my opinion can make or break a roast chicken. If you are interested is so tasty stuffing recipes let us know below in the comments.
2. Meet Pie
Did someone say meat pie? Oh, I did, but this pie is different because it is made from vegan meat. There are so many awesome meat alternatives out there that you can make a delicious mushroom and ‘meat’ pie to serve for your vegan guests. The best part, it tastes so good that even your meat-loving friends will be drooling over this pie. Now if you are running low on time you can always buy a pre-made pie pastry but if you really want to show off then make your pie crust from scratch.
3. Noodle Salad
Most people tend to make (or buy) a pasta salad as one of their side dishes but I personally like to serve things that are a little different. A noodle salad is close to a pasta salad but just something to keep your guests guessing. I use Maggi Chicken Noodles as my starting point for my noodle salad. Mix in some brown sugar, vinegar and some oil and you have a yummy salad dressing. Add some sugar cabbage, red capsicum, and toasted almonds you have an amazing side dish for Friendsgiving dinner.
4. Potato Bake
You have to have a warm side dish with dinner and a potato bake is a classic and a crowd-pleaser. My secret ingredients in my potato bake are nutmeg and bacon. Add this to your recipe and you will be the queen of Friendsgiving dinner.
5. Halloumi and Roasted Maple Walnut Salad
I am not a fan of a traditional garden salad. I know it’s safe but I would rather make an amazingly tasty, inspiring salad for my guests. They can make their own garden salad so give them something different. Using a garden salad base roast up some walnuts on the stovetop, when they are starting to look burnt add in some maple syrup. Take off the stove and mix in with the salad. Cook up some halloumi and drizzle some balsamic dressing through and you have a delicious fall salad.
Friendsgiving Dessert
If your guests still have room after dinner then amaze them with the sweet D, dessert! I wouldn’t have 5 different desserts to serve to my guests as after dinner they won’t fit in 5 however 2 maybe 3 depending on your number of guests. But we still have given you 5 different Friendsgiving dessert ideas to choose from. You could even make these before your party and test them out and make your favorites on the night.
1. Traditional Pecan Pie
I LOVE PECAN PIE! I would make a pecan pie even when it’s not Friendsgiving I love it that much. I love the caramel maple flavor as it just gives you that fall feeling.
2. Spiced Rum Apple & Pear Pie
There is nothing better than a traditional apple pie except a sexy spiced boozy version! When I made this apple pie it was honestly going to be a hit or an absolute miss. Thankfully it was a crowd winner. I decided to add some pears in it as a little something extra and I am so glad I did. It added an additional flavour that mixed in so well. Next time I might make a crunchy nut top and see how that goes. Comment below if you would like this recipe.
3. Home Made Ice Cream
Nothing says made with love then home made ice cream. I wouldn’t go too crazy and make a random flavour. I would keep it simple vanilla to match one of the yummy pies.
4. Dark Chocolate Cake
I don’t know about you but I feel like every party or dinner has to have a chocolate element and nothing says decadent like a dark chocolate cake with some white chocolate ganache. Your guests will definitely be leaving your house full!
5. Grandma's Pumpkin Pie
We all know that there are family recipes handed down generation to generation so get on the phone to your grandma and get her pumpkin pie recipe. Nothing says Friendsgiving dessert then a pumpkin pie. I like to make my pumpkin from scratch, even the pastry.
Friendsgiving Drinks
Drinks! No party or dinner is complete without drinks. Now, you can make things easier on yourself by just having simple wine, beer maybe some store-bought eggnog or you could really show off your skills and create some fun cocktails for the night. I love cocktails and they just add another fun element to your Friendsgiving dinner or party.
1. Espresso Martinis
I feel like espresso martinis are either starters or finishers. Depending on the vibe of your dinner it’s up to you when you serve up one of these babies. The best part is Mr. Consistent has a pre-made espresso martini mix ready to use.
2. Stitch Up
Looking for something sweet and sour to drink? Then the Stitch-up cocktail mix is perfect for you. Head to Mr. Consistent to check it out.
3. Creamy Spiced Buttered Rum
Welcome to winter with a hot creamy spiced butter rum. This is a perfect drink to serve your guests for a cozy Friendsgiving after-dinner drink.
4. Fruity Punch
Having a cute bowl of some fruit punch on the bench for your guest to come and go as you please is one less thing you have to worry about. You can mix it all together with your favorite fruits and some vodka ready for your guests before they even arrive!
Vanilla Pumpkin Pie Thickshake
You could use this drink as a dessert cocktail if you really wanted to. Just imagine the pumpkin pie flavor with a vanilla bean cream and a hint of booze!
