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Host a Friendsgiving [Photo: Friends gathered at a home enjoying appetizers and drinks while talking.]
Friends are the family you choose, so if you can’t make it home for the holidays, why not spend it with them? Friendsgiving has been around for a while (jury’s still out on whether the TV show Friends started this trend), but why not throw a little twist on ordinary recipes and traditions! Don’t get caught up in all the details, just think of it as just hosting a party vs. hosting a meal. This will alleviate a ton of stress you may feel with more “traditional” Thanksgiving dinners. Here’s how to make sure everyone eats!

The first thing you need to do is text out to your friends and collect a head count. Once you have that, send out a separate invitation (text invites are always appropriate & a cheaper option). In the “formal” invite, make sure to
  1. Delegate apps, sides, desserts and drinks to specific people OR
  2. Generalize and have everyone bring one already prepared dish and one drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic)
    **This may help if you have friends with dietary restrictions. Let them be in charge of bringing their own.

Second, coordinate events like games and after-party cleanup. You’ll need board games or drinking games...or ask your friends to bring a family tradition with them! Going around the table talking about what you’re thankful for is the greatest game of the day, so don’t forget!

Next, work on the playlist. Spotify or Pandora will already have great mixes preset, so no need to worry!

With whatever the need may be—maybe your friend's a terrible cook; you want a traditional meal and sides; you need gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan options—Dierbergs will have it! Take a look at these Friendsgiving ideas for inspiration and help on creating the best new tradition with your group!
[Photo: Appetizers on serving trays, including meats, jams and cheeses.]

Appetizers

Remember to keep it simple! You don’t want your friends filling up before the main event. Dierbergs has a wide selection of apps, ready to pick up and take with no prep. All Dierbergs Kitchen items have no MSG, no artificial flavors/colors/sweeteners, and no high fructose corn syrup!
[Photo: Roasted turkey breast, sliced and ready to serve.]

Main Course

The main course doesn’t have to be a whole turkey! If you don’t feel comfortable with that—or don’t have the oven space—Dierbergs could prepare yours for you!

If you don’t want the hassle, switch to something simple like pasta, soup, rotisserie chicken, or a turkey breast for a smaller crowd.
[Photo: Homemade mashed potatoes in a serving dish.]

Sides

To help with food prep, stop by our produce department for fresh, chopped and ready-to-steam vegetables or ready-cut stuffing mix. We have a variety of vegetables cut fresh daily, prepped and ready to go.
  • Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
  • Zesty Green Beans
  • Savory Dressing
[Photo: A variety of Diebergs Bakehouse desserts, including cakes, mini tea cakes, cheesecakes and more.]

Desserts

You can bake it yourself, pick up from our Bakehouse, or get an Tippin’s Pie exclusively at Dierbergs! If you’re feeling festive, try a twist on Pumpkin. Pick up delicious desserts like Bissinger’s chocolates, Greg’s Crazy Good cookies or brownies, and Simply Originals Strawberry Shortcake – already ready for you. Or try and bake it yourself with one of these festive desserts:
[Photo: Holiday drinks in different glasses.]

Drinks

Make a punch for everyone to enjoy before dinner then serve a selection of wine and beer during the meal. Ask those friends that don’t cook to bring a few bottles instead of a dish.
  • Cranberry Lime Sparklers
  • Kombucha Spritzer
  • Peachy Mint Julep
[Photo: Firecracker Cheddar Jalapeño Popper Hot Dip.]

Prepared Foods

Let the kitchen at Dierbergs help out with sides, salads, extras—anything you need! All items are made from scratch by hand with the freshest all natural ingredients. This is real food just like mom makes.

Some of our favorites:

 
Quick Tips

Don’t have enough plates and glasses for everyone? Use attractive paper plates and silverware. It also makes clean up a breeze.

Decorate with a fun floral arrangement or a few seasonal pumpkins and gourds.

Make sure to stock the bathroom with extra TP and Kleenex.

Don’t run out of ice. Make sure to grab a few bags of ice to throw in the freezer. No one likes warm drinks.

Ask for help. Have a friend come an hour early to help with set up and ease that pre-party panic. Ask a few friends to stick around and help with clean up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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