This year’s holiday season is going to be a great deal different from those in the past. Instead of focusing on what I will be missing, I have tried to keep in mind the positives.
Less traffic and travel anxiety, less pressure to make it to three different households, the ability to wear sweats throughout it all.
However, there are some traditions I’d like to uphold, one of those being celebrating Friendsgiving with my chosen family, my incredible group of friends.
Which is why I have thought of every detail to help you make this years’ Friendsgiving one you and your friends will never forget, shall we begin planning this virtual soiree!?
Send an E-vite & Request RSVPs
Just like any other in-person event, begin the planning process as you normally would. This year especially, most of your guests are likely to RSVP yes!
I LOVE the process of finding the right e-vite that sets the tone for the event. Elegant without taking itself too seriously like the illustrated one above! Here are a few other choices for inspiration: falling foliage, turkey wave, and good friends good food.
This also creates an air of anticipation for your friends. We currently don’t have a lot of events on our calendar to look forward to and seeing this in their inbox may just lift their spirits!
Paperless post includes a section of the invitation for a Zoom link and a field that allows you to request each guest’s mailing address (you’ll see why this is helpful below!) Perfect when planning a virtual friendsgiving!
Host a Planning Session
This step is definitely optional as it’s something my friends and I love to do before a trip or extended experience but it is not essential for success.
It’s a glorified way to connect and get the conversation started! Make it a fun cocktail (or mocktail) hour and come prepared with the points you want to cover in order to create a cohesive Friendsgiving.
This is a time to plan out your menu, bring up decor, and any of the other unifying elements of the evening noted below!
Share Recipes & Create a Collaborative Yet Uniform Menu
Whether you’re keeping it simple and all making the same cocktail, or if everyone would like to contribute recipes for various dishes, it’s wonderful to have some shared experience to unify you virtually.
If you’re doing an all-out dinner, think about sharing a doc to organize who will be creating what, link recipes, and ensure you’re not doubling up or finding yourself with 7 sides and no main dish!
This also gives your “guests” more than enough time to grocery shop in advance.
Dan and I elected to host a virtual cocktail hour where I’ll make an over the top charcuterie board, and he will whip up tasty cocktails!
Create a Shared Spotify Playlist
While playing music during a Zoom meeting is not the move, everyone can use this playlist while they cook or craft their cocktails beforehand!
Just another collaborative effort, tying everyone’s day together makes even the cooking portion special!
Send Each “Guest” a Connecting Item
Due to my being extra, I always like to personalize my table for in-person dinner parties. Why should that be any different this year?
Enlist the help of a local calligrapher to create place cards for each of your guests. This allows you to support local artisans, and provide a personal touch to each of your friends and family members.
This step does not need to be limited to place cards, I’ve done small boxes of chocolates, seasonal flower arrangements and more!
Dress Up & Decorate!
Where we have had few excuses to get dressed up, it may be nice for people to curate a look (even if it’s just waist up) for this dinner!
There’s probably no need to indicate a dress code on your invite, but put together a comfortable look that gets you into a festive mood that still accommodates second helpings of mashed potatoes.
Light some candles near where you plan to be sitting and create a cozy vibe to enjoy while you chat.
Give Thanks Together
End your virtual meal together by giving thanks. It sounds (and most likely is) quite corny, but this year especially, there should be no limit on gratitude.
Have every person highlight something they’re grateful for whether it be that day, week, month, or year.
Ending on such a positive note is a great way to usher in the holidays during a year where we all could use a bit of respite.
