One of the common downfalls of living in San Francisco? Not having enough money to go home for the holidays. Or maybe you’ve had it with your conservative right-wing family and faked not being able to afford a ticket. Understandable. If none of this rings true for you, cheers to you and your Hallmark-card family. But if it does, and if you’ve opted to stay in town for the holidays, you might be open to the suggestion of Friendsgiving, an age-old tradition of gathering with people you care about and giving thanks with a hip name that can make even the loneliest Millennial feel the love. If you’re hosting your friends this holiday season, here’s a guide on how to host the ideal Friendsgiving feast.
Step 1: The planning
Invites and planning should take place at least a week in advance. A few days might suffice too. This will give you plenty of time to procrastinate on your food shopping and any other prepping that you think you need to do. Do you live in a two-bedroom apartment that sleeps seven? Perfect! Invite 20 of your closest friends who don’t have a place for the holidays, and share the warmth of your home.
Step 2: Clean your apartment
Clean your place and make it look inviting. There’s nothing like turning off your guests due to the smell of stale garbage or scattered laundry. Make it at least look like you know how to live. Take the time to buy fancy candles that have seasonal smells, like pie or leaves. Encourage guests to bring their own seating—options include but are not limited to folding, lawn or inflatable chairs. Make sure everyone is in close quarters so that you’re practically sittng on each other’s laps. Couches and bedrooms can double as extra eating spaces.
Step 3: Ask guests to BYOB
The general consensus about having a proper Friendsgiving is that, among other reasons, you’re there to get drunk. Make your gathering a BYOB so you’re not SOL. This will help you not break the bank and ensure that everyone is satisfied with their options. Your gluten-free friends will be happy to know that they can provide their own joyless substitute.
Step 4: Ask guests to BYO drinking game
Play drinking games or invent your own. For example, every time someone brings up a disgruntled relative, take a drink. This evening is about you loving your friends, not the drama you chose to avoid at home with your family. Anything that has “spiced” in the title is an easy way to make things festive. If you’ve been saving that pumpkin spice apple cider for a special occasion, now is the time. If you’re getting the kind of drunk where no one is intending on leaving, make sure you have blankets and pillows on hand so you look like a good host if anyone wants to crash. Homies don’t let homies take $45 Lyft rides home.
Step 5: Prepare the food
Who says you have to be traditional? Cooking a turkey can take all day, and let’s be real—nobody has time for that. Settle with the nontraditional; this is Friendsgiving, after all. Don’t stress yourself with preparing a huge meal by yourself—make your dinner a potluck. This brings the promise of a fun variety of food fare that hits marks across the board. Most fun and comfort foods contain animal fat and/or gluten. Tell your vegan and gluten-free friends in advance that they should bring a dish, because frankly, you won’t know what the hell to do. But if you can find a way to take a healthy spin on a green-bean casserole, take the chance. If you don’t know where to start, the city shall provide—nothing says ordinary Thanksgiving like dim sum from Chinatown or perhaps some KFC. Oceanside is home to some of the best European markets in the city. Dazzle your guests with Russian chocolates and Polish sausages. On a dime and in a pinch? Visit your local Safeway—their cookies are dope, and everyone will enjoy. Nothing beats them, honestly.
Step 6: Provide non-drinking games too
Entertaining is key to a successful Friendsgiving. Find games that are good for groups, like “Heads Up” or some kind of trivia. If your party exceeds at least seven or eight people, do not bring out “Cards Against Humanity.” You will kill your own party. Instead, when you’re all good and drunk, go through people’s Tinder accounts or watch weird YouTube videos. If you don’t want to drink the night away, watching movies is a great way to wrap up the night as well.
The perks of Friendsgiving include being with people you genuinely love and a chiller, stress-free environment. And you can be as loud and drunk or not drunk as you want without embarrassing yourself (at least not in front of your family). You’re free to be however you want. Now go on and send out those invites.
