It’s that time of year again! Time to give thanks for all the things we’re grateful for. Good food, good jobs, a beautiful home full of furniture you love, and most importantly, people to share it all with.
No, we’re not talking about Thanksgiving, we’re talking about Friendsgiving! It’s the annual holiday celebrating the family you chose: your friends. The date is up to you, but the idea of a feast to celebrate the people most important to you who aren’t necessarily related by blood, has become a new American tradition.
Of course, a Friendsgiving celebration need not be as fancy as a traditional Thanksgiving meal, but if you’re this year’s host, you’ll want to show off a little for your friends. So, check out these five ways to decorate your home and furniture for Friendsgiving, and transform your space into a fall haven anyone would be grateful for!
1. Swap Out China for Charm
One of the best things about Friendsgiving is the fact that Great Aunt Gertrude won’t be around to pick on your taste in table settings! Chances are, no one is going to mind eating their dinner off of paper and plastic this holiday. Setting aside the finery also makes for less dishes to do after dinner.
Instead of fancy place settings, spruce up your dining space with some festive, fall decorations! A bowl of seasonal fruits, veggies, and gourds can make a charming centerpiece to your table. Or, try hanging homemade name cards on the back of your dining chairs! Having designated seats gives your gathering a more formal feel without all the work – plus it helps encourage people to mix and mingle! Your seating arrangement gets bonus points if you fit some fall-themed slip-covers over the upholstery.
2. Tasting Territory
Make sure you have plenty of space at the table for all of your friends! Friendsgiving might be more lowkey than Thanksgiving, but no one wants to pop a squat next to the table and balance a plate full of potatoes and gravy on their knees.
If you’re limited on space, you might want to invest in a dining table with removable leaves. That way, you can store the leaves away and keep your space compact during the rest of the year, then easily double your table size during the holiday season. You’ll have plenty of table space for your friends-only feast, and still be able to make room for the inevitable cocktails and lounging afterward. Don’t forget to show off your new table with a fun, festive table runner!
If you’re on the hunt for a new table for all your Friendsgiving celebrations, stop by our showroom! We’ve got tons of gorgeous options, and our associates would love to help you bring home that perfect piece for the holidays.
3. Give it Some Sparkle
Give your space some sparkle with the right lighting! Even the most delicious meal won’t be much fun if you can’t even see the guests of honor, so make sure your home is properly lit before the big night.
Pendant lighting is perfect for evenly illuminating a buffet full of food, and it will really make that turkey glisten. If you’re really willing to go all out – or if you’ve been wanting to give your dining room a do-over anyway – statement lighting like baubles and chandeliers can give your home a perfectly cozy, Norman Rockwell feel.
Candles and fairy lights are another fun way to glow up your space and give it some personality! Little strings of Christmas lights or dramatic pillar candles give your home a cozy seasonal charm, and can make your Friendsgiving one to remember!
4. Deck Out Your Desserts
Let’s be honest: When it comes down to it, Thanksgiving is all about the desserts. Maybe you even skipped right over the turkey and went straight for the pie during your Friendsgiving celebrations – we won’t judge! Remember, you’re among friends here.
But if desserts are going to play a central role in your Friendsgiving party, you should dress them up to fit the part! Collect all your desserts on one table to make them into a mouthwatering masterpiece. Keep a framed chalkboard nearby for custom messages and hang papercrafts on the wall to draw everyone’s eye to the place where it matters: the sweets! Tiny toothpick banners letting everyone know which pie is which are another charming – and convenient – decoration to help satisfy your sweet tooth.
5. Kick Back and Relax
Be sure to make space for people to nap off their food comas – or beer buzzes! – before hitting the road. Friends don’t let friends drive sleepy or drunk, so make sure you’ve got plenty of couch space for people to curl up after dinner for a quick rest. Whether you’re using your living room to chit chat over cocktails or take a calorie-induced snooze, a sectional, daybed, or even an ottoman are all great ways to maximize your lounging space.
Now that your home is in full-fledged holiday mode, all that’s left is to prepare those delicious dishes! We can’t help you with that, but if you need a little assistance getting your home guest-ready in time for your Friendsgiving celebrations, give us a call. We have plenty of furniture and décor to give you and all your friends the laid-back, family-free holiday you deserve!