November 13, 2018

Friendsgiving Ideas

Grateful, Thankful, Blessed Friendsgiving Celebration

For the first time ever, we hosted a small Friendsgiving dinner for a few of our friends. Our goal was to keep it intimate, and simple so we could really reconnect with our friends again.

The Table:

Since it was threatening to rain this weekend, we hosted our dinner inside, next to the fireplace. {And since I live in Florida, we cranked our air down low, and lit a fire just for the ambiance, I am not even kidding} I decided I wanted to make a “folding table” that doesn’t really look like a folding table. I purchased some sawhorse clips and rough painted 2×4 legs, and added my barn wood table top on the sawhorses. I did something similar for the bench, except I made the seat more permanent and screwed it into place. Folding wooden chairs draped with cozy throw blankets were perfect for the other seats around the table. I draped the table top with a whimsical polka dot table runner from the Martha Stewart Celebrations line available at Michaels. Then, I created a centerpiece for the entire table with a rustic fall garland, a marble cake plate topped with a variety of pumpkins and some cotton sprigs tucked in between. Opposite the cake plate, I filled gorgeous copper hurricane lanterns with pine cones, cotton, and LED candles. I filled in open spaces with copper buckets filled with seasonal flowers.

The Place Settings:

Each place setting was set with layered paper plates from Martha Stewart’s Celebrations line. The plates were topped with a white pumpkin and a wooden ornament. Copper Moscow Mule Mugs were also placed at each seat. Next to the mugs I placed cranberry syrup and ginger beer to make your own Fall inspired Moscow Mule.

The Fireplace and Bar:

The mantel was decorated with candles, pumpkins, and more. I layered a copper tassel banner under a DIY burlap grateful banner and hung it from the mantel with just a slight swag. {This helped keep it a safe distance from the fire.} Next to the fireplace, I cleared off one of our shelves and created a min bar area. I added a copper pitcher of pre-made Cranberry Moscow Mules. Fresh cranberries and spices finished out the makeshift bar area.

The Food:

I created a small charcuterie tray with my Cricut and Cricut’s Foil Poster Board, and filled it with a variety of cheeses, crackers, and meats. {Find the cut file here} My husband smoked a turkey breast on the grill, and our guests brought their favorite side dishes to share.

The Favors:

Each of our friends took home their copper mugs, more ginger beer, and a small bottle of cranberry syrup. I filled small favor jars from Martha Stewart’s Celebrations line, and labeled each one with Cricut Adhesive Foil. {Find that cut file here}

This was one of my very favorite parties ever! I was so nice to have some quiet time with our friends that we are so grateful, thankful, and blessed to have.