How to Host a Friendsgiving Your BFFs Won’t Forget

When it comes to entertaining for Thanksgiving, I’m either one extreme or the other – it’s either Chinet paper plates and plastic tablecloths, or a full-on beautiful fall tablescape with formal place settings. When I’m helping my grandma host, we typically go for the former (because we’re usually feeding 30+!) But when I’m able to host a smaller gathering of family or friends, I am all about gorgeous table settings and beautiful centerpieces. Fall is such a fun time to doll-up your home decorations and truly wow your guests!

This holiday season, Friendsgiving is great opportunity to try out new styles and make entertaining more fun and personal. One decor trend I have been loving is a fall-themed tablescape that incorporates all the colors and textures fall brings. This project may seem daunting at first, but don’t let the elaborate design discourage you from creating your own!

There are plenty of ways for you to add your own style when creating a picturesque tablescape without spending too much time or money. You can pick up great finds at Dollar Tree (chargers and wine glasses!) or even Goodwill (I recently bought eight beautiful white with gold rim place settings there for less than $20!!) To save even more time and ensure your Friendsgiving is a success, check out my post on how to dominate Thanksgiving dinner where I offer tips around planning, cooking and executing a big dinner like Friendsgiving. 

To help you get started, FTD created a guide to creating show-stopping tablescape decor, how-tos for casual and formal table setting and hosting etiquette to elevate your dinner party. They’ve even provided themed tablescape ideas you can steal for your own party. 

The first step to creating a festive tablescape is all in the decor. Spice up your table with freshly cut flowers that represent the gorgeous colors of fall. Finish your festive table with autumn staples like mini pumpkins, gourds, fall leaves or sunflowers. For inspiration, check out my other post on how I styled pumpkins as decor for a baby shower!

No matter what flowers you use, add some autumn greenery (I love eucalyptus!) to create texture in your arrangement. Use the visuals below for more decor inspiration, then use the rest of this post to help you create the ultimate Friendsgiving tablescape.

Once you have incorporated different fall staples into your tablescape, add the special touch of a perfect personalized place setting. Write your guest’s name on folded place cards or use gift tags and string to tie their name around napkins or goodie bags. Whether you prefer a casual place setting or want to glam up your fine-dining experience, these table setting ideas will help you put the finishing touches on a beautiful table. 

To enhance and complement your table setting, use a few hosting tips to make sure you are bringing the fall-theme into every part of your Friendsgiving. From sending invitations that match your theme to decorating other rooms in your home with matching fall decor, you will surely be the hostess with the mostess in no time. 

Now that you’re fully prepared to host the Friendsgiving your friends won’t forget, it’s time to get started! Pick a theme, start meal planning and use your home to customize every aspect of your dinner party.

Want more? Showcase some of your favorite fall recipes or invite others to bring a plate to share. Encourage a friend to play bartender and make up a few cocktail recipes that are sure to get the evening started! Need some yummy ideas? Check out some of my favorite fall recipes like my gluten-free green bean casserole or my super-easy pumpkin pie and crust.

Have a recipe perfect for Friendsgiving? Share it with me in the comments below!