HOW TO THROW A FUN "FRIENDS-GIVING"

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays and when it comes to entertaining I believe it is one of the easiest. That’s because it’s a time to share in everything…from the food preparation to enjoying the meal! The same goes for a Thanksgiving with your friends. After all, the main ingredient should be FUN!

PREPARARATION

When planning Thanksgiving with your friends, the key to a successful and stress-free holiday is always preparation!

Make all of your dishes including your string bean casserole, baked yams with marshmallows on top, stuffing, and even the mashed potatoes can be made in advance. Simply whip them up during the week and store them in the fridge. This way, all you need to focus on for the big day are the main dishes.

The Big Event

On Thanksgiving, concentrate on your turkey so it fills the room with that wonderful aroma and make your green vegetables like roasted Brussels sprouts and sautéed broccoli Rabe the day off. The only tricky part is trying to warm everything at once. That’s where the oven and microwave come in handy and maybe knock on your neighbor’s door to see if you can borrow his or her oven space – after all, what’s a few more at your dining room table?

Mix It Up!

Start your menu with your traditional dishes that you make every year then add something new to be creative and will make you look forward to making something different.

Also, why should you do all the cooking? I am sure your friends have some fantastic recipes of their own that they would love to show off and one of the best things about Thanksgiving is that it can easily be a potluck dinner. So, ask each guest to bring a side dish. I love this because it’s always a surprise and takes a lot of stress off the hostess. Additionally, don’t be afraid to buy store-bought items like prepared mashed potatoes that you can “doctor” up with extra butter and sour cream or buy the prepared diced vegetables in the fresh produce department. This will take a lot of stress off of your prep work.

Forget the Apps!

Thanksgiving dinner is a feast itself so don’t go crazy with a lot of appetizers! I suggest putting out a bowl of roasted nuts, clementines and dry figs. They are light to eat and add a touch of color to the table as well.

Have Fun!

After all of your hard work don’t forget the most important part and the reason for the holiday in the first place – be thankful for your friends and loved ones and have fun! One way I like to keep the dinner festive is to ask each guest to say one thing that he or she is thankful for before we eat. It can be silly or heart-felt but it always gets the conversation started and ignites at least a few laughs before the dinner has even started!

Marianne Gere is the co-owner of ConshyGirls Catering and Events, located in Conshohocken, PA. She and her business partner Kim Strengari also own three successful restaurants in Conshohocken, PA – Stella Blu, Gypsy Saloon and Southern Cross Kitchen. ConshyGirls Catering and Events specializes in unique, personalized events of all sizes. For more information, visit www.ConshyGirls.com.