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Guest contributor: Amelia Edmondson
Tip 1: Invitations
A fun way I love to engage my guests weeks before I host a dinner party is by sending them Evites! There are so many fun and unique options to choose from so I can make sure the invitation fits the theme. It is also a great resource to help keep everything organized and keep track of RSVPs.
Here are a few of my favorite invitations:
Eat, Drink, and Be Thankful
Thanksgiving Faves
Foiled Ribbon Light
Pomegranate
Thanksgiving Wreath
Tip 2: Menu & delegation
Of course, the most important part of the dinner party is the food! Friendsgiving in particular requires more hands on deck since there are so many side dishes. I recommend working on a menu two weeks before the event, then creating an Excel document (or a What to Bring list on your Evite!) to share with guests. There, they can pick a dish they would like to make and sign up! I make it even easier by sharing a recipe suggestion so that they know exactly what to prepare (an amazing one that I love is this roast chicken recipe, which is perfect if turkey isn’t your thing). This way I can focus on creating an amazing Friendsgiving setting instead of just laboring over the meal all day. It’s also a fun way to involve everyone!
Tip 3: Decor
For decor, you can go a million different directions. From a minimalist neutral palette to a maximalist and colorful setting, you really can’t go wrong! Here are some of my tried-and-true tips for making a gorgeous table setting.
1. Seasonal flowers: Run to your local farmers market to see what is in bloom right now! Then use vases you have around or these bud vases to scatter your blooms among the table.
2. Taper candles: Candles make all the difference truly. I personally love my brass candlestick holders because they are timeless and suit most aesthetics. For an autumnal feel, I recommend using the yellow beeswax candlesticks of ivory! These beeswax tapers from Amazon are some of my favorites.
3. Linen tablecloth and napkins: I recommend investing in a good white linen tablecloth! You will end up using it way more than you think. I personally love the linen collection from Crate & Barrel and have this one in multiple colors! To mix things up I recommend getting a neutral-colored napkin or a fun printed one.
Here are some of my favorites:
Marin Desert Green European Flax Linen Napkin Set
4. Menus and name cards
Okay, hear me out, I know it may be extra, but everyone loves a cute menu and place card! There are a ton of templates out there that you can use, or you can make your own! Take a peek at Pinterest or Instagram for inspo, or if you want to take it a step further, you can hire someone to do this for you so they are ready to go!
Tip 4: Autumn-inspired playlist
The music sets the tone of the night! So make sure you have a playlist or two on deck with the cozy Friendsgiving vibe! If you don’t have a speaker, I recommend investing in this JBL speaker that I use for literally every dinner party (and day to day), or seeing if one of your guests has a speaker they can bring.
Here are a few of my favorite playlists:
Tip 5: Table topics
I can’t recommend including a conversation card game in your Friendsgiving (or any dinner party) enough! Especially if there are new faces, having a conversation card at every plate can be a great way to spark conversation and make everyone feel more connected. I love hiding them under everyone's plates and then directing everyone to take a peek under their plate! It definitely keeps things fun and interesting.
Here are a few of my favorite convo packs:
Amelia is a dinner party enthusiast living in Southern California. She is passionate about hosting and sharing nourishing meals and moments with the people she loves the most . When she isn't hosting, she is documenting and sharing her hosting process on her social channels.
All of the products we feature are hand-selected by our editors! You see only what we love and what we think you'll love too. If you buy something through links on our site, Evite may earn a commission. Prices are subject to change.
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All of the products we feature are hand-selected by our editors! You see only what we love and what we think you'll love too. If you buy something through links on our site, Evite may earn a commission. Prices are subject to change.
