We’re all familiar with Thanksgiving. Maybe yours are elaborate, over-the-top and has your home smelling like fresh-baked goodies a week beforehand. However, many of us have had to move away from family and aren’t able to get together every year. This is the perfect time and reason to do a Friendsgiving celebration, but more importantly, do a Rogue-Style Friendsgiving.
MAKE INVITATIONS
Like any good holiday party, sending out invitations with all the deets helps to not only alleviate any confusion but also be completely organized when it comes to what time cocktails will be served, to what your theme is going to be.
If you’re like us and looking to do it more renegade and outside the norm, take a look at our custom menu below. We’re confident it can help guide you through a successful Friendsgiving adventure.
STARTERS
- Artisan crackers
- Parmesan focaccia bread
- Cranberry cream cheese rangoons
- Baked broccoli parmesan dip
- Garlic roasted mushrooms
ENTREES
- Bacon-wrapped pork medallions
- Brined Thanksgiving turkey
- Vegan pot pie
- Riced cauliflower stuffed peppers
SIDES
- Charred honey brussel sprouts
- Sweet potato gratin
- Sausage & caramelized onion stuffing
- Beet salad with goat chees and balsamic
- Pumpkin gnocchi in cream sauce
- Spinach & feta tarte soleil
SAUCES
- Béarnaise sauce
- Pumpkin and pear chutney
- Cranberry pear sauce
- Hard cider turkey gravy
DESSERTS
- Black Forest gâteau
- Gluten-free baked apple with whipped cream
- Salted caramel maple pecan pie bars
Straightforward, right? Yes… and no. Don’t even try to do it all by yourself. Coordinate with everyone coming and assign out a dish or item they will bring.
Now, let's get to the best part of a Friendsgiving get togethers… the drinks!
FRIENDSGIVING DRINKS & COCKTAILS
Cranberry orange whiskey sour - A no-brainer, and perhaps a staple of Friendsgiving. Not only are whiskey sours known to aid in digestion, but cranberries are an excellent complement to many cocktails.
Apple cider mimosas - Next to holiday sangrias, apple cider mimosas are an affordable option to serve a large group of people. Champagne and apple cider are inexpensive and readily accessible, making this a drink that is easily and quickly mixed.
Pumpkin pie pudding shots - A Friendsgiving isn’t complete without a few pucker faces. These go way beyond the typical pumpkin spice flavor you get with your coffee and will have everyone begging you for the recipe. Note - For those of us who don’t like cinnamon liqueur, feel free to sub in your favorite vodka.
Beer - Last but not least, a good quality variety of beers. Friendsgiving is kind of the point at which nutty fall beers transition into dark spicy lagers. Get ahead of the curve and break into holiday time early with a chocolate peanut butter-flavored stout.
OTHER ROGUE TIPS
- Create an online event - Use social media to gather up interest, maybe even make a few new friends along the way. Most platforms tie into calendars, so it’s easy to send out invites, coordinate who’s bringing what and update everyone with any changes that happen to come along.
- Make room - Not everyone’s willing to host a Friendsgiving. Those of us without a lot of space can do things like have different rooms throughout your home or apartment set up with different parts of the meal; the kitchen has all the fixin’s for drinks, the patio has all the starters, the dining room is nothing but main courses, and so forth. You can even invite everyone to bring their own beach chair to easily move from room to room.
- Go Buffet style - This can help with the above. This gives people the freedom to eat when, where and how they want. Plus, going back for seconds is effortless.
- Ambiance, Decor & Music - Don’t break your back to bring a theme to life at your place. Keeping it simple not only helps when you’re setting up but also doesn’t eat up too much time and effort when doing cleanup. Take advantage of deals at discount stores and invite your guest to bring a centerpiece; that way you have one (or 5) fewer things to worry about creating. And, then when it comes to music, set up a playlist or constant play from a streaming music service that will leave you free to mingle and not worry about being the dj.
- Make a gratitude board - Sharing is not for everyone but has been known to be easier when on paper. A gratitude board can help soften the need to share thanks publicly. You could also have an instant camera or photo booth where people can take pics and add them directly to the board.
- Plan your cleanup - Cleaning and hosting are not synonymous. Guests can and should help with this one. It’s best to ask people ahead of time if they can help with one or the other, that way, you’re not cleaning up as the sun’s coming up.
- Have a Rogue mix-pack on hand - Nothing says Friendsgiving quite like having a variety of Rogue products ready to go before and after your meal. They make a great compliment to your festivities and make sure you’re the most memorable host ever!
WRAP UP
This year, take a step back from societal expectations and take a crack at Friendsgiving. We’re confident you’ll find what works for you, and if it includes even a small portion of what we’ve gone through here, all the better. There are plenty of people on the internet who can answer questions about how to throw a quick Friendsgiving or one that rocks the block.
For more information about Rogue or any of our products, visit our homepage at RogueNicotine.com. Look here if you need to locate a retailer near you.
