How To Host A Legendary Friendsgiving

At some point in your life, your friends have probably felt more like your family than your actual family, so why not host a Friendsgiving party instead of the traditional Thanksgiving feast, and gather some of your favorite people around the table? These cool Friendsgiving party ideas will supply you with everything you need to make this the most memorable Turkey Day you've ever had.

Arguably the best part about Friendsgiving is that your friends won't ask you when you are getting married, nor will they judge you for downing a bottle of wine by yourself. In fact, they'll probably encourage the latter part. Yay for friends!

This time of year, everyone gets really busy with the holidays, travel, and family, so I try to host a Friendsgiving party before the madness begins. I typically make a Facebook event so everyone can coordinate what dishes they're bringing (potlucks for the win), and keep it pretty casual. If people want to wear their most comfortable pants with the elastic band, I encourage them to do so.

This is definitely not your mother's Thanksgiving, and it definitely doesn't have to be perfect. Just like those classic holiday episodes of Friends taught us, sometimes Friendsgiving is even more fun if it gets a little messy.

Here are 10 ways you can throw a legendary Friendsgiving dinner party.

1. Plan ahead

About two weeks before your party, make your guest list, create a Facebook event, or send out Evites. I recommend keeping your party under 10 people — any more than that is utter insanity.

2. Decide your style

Are you someone who wants to make everything by yourself? Or would you prefer a more potluck style? I usually choose potluck because it's cheaper, and everyone can contribute something, but you do you.

3. Assign dishes

If you are doing a potluck, allow people to pick what they want to bring. If I host, I typically do the turkey, and let people bring sides, drinks, or desserts. Make sure everyone is on the same page (this is where Facebook event pages come in handy) so you don't get three sides of sweet potato casserole, and no dessert.

4. Make a flexible seating chart

People are probably going to sit where they want, but if you're working with polarizing personalities (read: exes, enemies), you may want to consider place settings.

5. Make sure you have enough booze

Your friends will forgive a burnt turkey, but they will never forgive you for running out of drinks. Figure that every person will have two drinks per hour, and plan accordingly. It's also worth stocking up on sodas and water for people who prefer not to drink.

6. Create a signature drink

Name it after an inside joke, like something ridiculous only your friends would know.

7. Start food prep the week of the event

Some people forget it takes, like, four days for a turkey to thaw. And by some people, I mean me. Don't be like me.

8. Time everything out

If you're working with only one oven, this is especially important — consider making some side dishes the week of, and freezing them until the day of your event. It'll cut down on cooking time, and you won't be as stressed out.

9. Have fun

The most important thing is to have fun — duh. Sometimes it's easy to get stressed out when your bestie brings a dish that rivals the trifle Rachel made on Friends, and your pumpkin pie is undercooked, but chill. People take on the mood of the party planner, so have a drink and let loose!

10. Send guests home with food

Provide little takeout boxes for them to pack with yum yums. They'll enjoy the leftover mashed potatoes for days to come.

For more Thanksgiving ideas, check out Bustle on YouTube.

Images: Shari's Berries/Flickr; Giphy