It’s that cozy time of year when we like to plan gatherings such as Friendsgiving to have some extra time to share with our friends! Friendsgiving is recently coined phrase used for the gatherings around Thanksgiving where people share time and a meal with their chosen families, made up of their close friends.
Unlike with traditional Thanksgiving dinner which tends to have a set menu of turkey, potatoes, and pumpkin pies, Friendsgiving has no set menu, it really comes down to what your friend group prefers! Depending on your group, your having a mixture of homemade and store bought items and could be as simple as different appetizers and desserts. Friendsgiving can be whatever you make it to be, here’s a list of some great recipes and dishes that you can bring to this years gathering!
First Things First
You can never go wrong with a good ol’ charcuterie board. Whether it’s a classic savory meat and cheese board, a sweet dessert board, or more of a sampling platter, your friends won’t be disappointed with what you bring to the table!
You could also try out some classic homemade appetizer ideas:
Or you can grab some Crav’n Flavor appetizers to cook up! How could anyone say no to some mozzarella sticks or jalapeño poppers? We have so many great appetizer options for you to choose from for any last-minute potluck ideas!
A Classic Side Dish
Everybody has their own spin on a classic Macaroni and Cheese dish. Some people have a very nostalgic mindset and stick with the classic boxed Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, while others have a more refined taste and prefer the homemade kind. Regardless of the preference, no Friendsgiving table would be complete without a form of Mac and cheese. If you’re in a rush, grab our Cleo and Leo Mac and Cheese, available at the service deli, all you have to do is warm it up!
Main Event
There’s so much freedom in Friendsgiving main dishes, you can stick with the classic turkey entrée, you can bring pizza, you could bring a sushi platter or homemade enchiladas. Even if it’s simply picking up your favorite take-out, bring something you and others will enjoy. Friendsgiving shouldn’t put a dent in your wallets, bring what you’re able and enjoy! Stater Bros. has a variety of entrees that can be bought ready to serve and some that just need to be warmed up in the oven!
Desserts
The only way Friendsgiving could go wrong is if there’s no sweet treat involved. You can pick up a number of Made-to-Order cakes at our Stater Bros. Bakery section. Beautifully decorated fall cakes are sure to make your gathering as sweet as can be.
If cakes aren’t your vibe, there are all kinds of cookies and cupcakes that can be picked up as well! Grab some cookie dough and ice cream and make build-your-own cookie skillets, they’re sure to be a hit!
Want to try your hand at something homemade? These are some of our favorite dessert recipes:
And of course, no get together would be complete without a bottle of wine (or something stronger) based off your friend groups preferences. You can always make some cute festive cocktails or just pop open a bottle to share. Check out our guide to the Best Affordable Wines to Give as Gifts this holiday season, for ideas of what you can bring as a hostess gift or just as part of the menu!
Floral Centerpiece
If you want to get really fancy you can put together a floral centerpiece from our floral department!
Bringing flowers to an event is a dying tradition, one we should bring back ASAP. It’s such a wholesome act of kindness and one that makes every dinner table come to life. It’s a simple, but effective way of livening up a gathering!
We hope you have a great Friendsgiving filled with all kinds of good food and memories! If hosting or attending this special gathering, remember: enjoy the process as much as the end result, try and make the most out of creating your unique Friendsgiving dinner! Let us know what Friendsgiving meal ideas you plan on trying this year!