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Pie on table
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Culture > Entertainment

EASY AND STRESS-FREE IDEAS FOR FRIENDSGIVING: COLLEGE STYLE

Suzanne Collins
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Fairfield chapter.

We are within reach of Thanksgiving Break and the thought of seeing hometown friends and catching up about our semester is beyond exciting. I am a big foodie, so the first way to get all my friends together at my house is to have a Friendsgiving dinner. However, I think most of us can agree that we dislike a lengthy cleanup and want something easy and stress-free. I have whipped up an array of uncomplicated recipes you and your friends can make this week for your Friendsgiving.

Drinks:

Cranberry Mocktail: Flavorful and festive, a cranberry mocktail is a perfect way to kickstart your Friendsgiving. You can make this drink in under 5 minutes with only five ingredients, and it is guaranteed to be a Friendsgiving favorite. 

Apple Cider Sangria: If you feel more creative, an apple cider sangria may be the cherry on top for your Friendsgiving dinner. This drink incorporates a handful of fruits, including apples, pears, oranges, and pomegranate seeds, and pairs well with any Thanksgiving meal.

Savory:

Garlic Butter Smashed Potatoes: What is easier to make than mashed potatoes? Smashed potatoes! These garlicky and flavorful bites of deliciousness are simple to make and will be a crowd favorite. They are crispy, and savory, and are even better with a drizzle of maple syrup over top. 

Cornbread: A Thanksgiving classic, cornbread is needed at Friendsgiving. Almost all the ingredients are pantry essentials, and it takes less than 35 minutes total to make.  

Three Cheese Mac and Cheese: Mac and cheese must be my favorite Thanksgiving food. Annie’s mac and cheese is great but making macaroni and cheese from scratch is always a treat. This three-cheese recipe is creamy, flavorful, and you might eat the whole thing before your friends are over. It might be best to make this recipe all together.  

Sweet: 

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake: Cheesecake is always a hit at any event. These mini cheesecake bites are rich in flavor and texture. While they take a bit more time to make, you will not regret it and they may become a yearly go-to Friendsgiving recipe.

Pecan Pie Bars: Pie can be a pain to make but these pecan pie bars only take 20 minutes to prepare. They are gooey and fabulous. Now that we are talking about pecans, ARE you team “Pa-kawn” or “PEE-can?” I am definitely team “Pa-kawn.” 

Suzanne Collins

Fairfield '26

Suzanne Collins is a first-year student studying marketing at Fairfield University's Dolan School of Business. In her free time, she enjoys playing squash, finding the best matcha spot in town, and trying new cuisines. She hopes to pursue a marketing career in tech or the food and beverage industry, or she will start a company of her own.