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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SJU chapter.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we are all thinking about the amazing food we get to go home to and eat with our families. However, our roommates and closest friends basically become our families here at school. I am just as thankful for my college family as I am for my real family. So why not celebrate your own Thanksgiving with your family away from home. It’s two Thanksgivings and a very fun time. Here are 5 tips on how to host a fantastic friends-giving!

 

1. Pick a date and choose your guests wisely 

Pick a date that works for all your closest friends. Let them know well in advance so you’re not sitting home alone with enough food for 10 people. Also make sure you choose your “friends” wisely. You don’t want to invite the people who come empty handed and eat you out of house and home.  Bottom-line invite your closest friends; you want to be thankful you have them there, not regretting the invitation.  

 

2. Be in charge of all the essentials and designate the easy ones to your friends

As the host, you want to make sure all the essential foods are taken care of. Relying on the flakey friend for the turkey will end up with unhappy guests and last minute acme runs. Give your friends the responsibility of easy vegetables and appetizers. Don’t forget to keep some quick, extra things in the fridge incase they forget.

 

 

3. Bring some fun games to the table

No one wants to sit around hungry and bored. Being “hangry” with awkward silence doesn’t result in good conversations. Create some fun games or creative activities for you and your friends to do while you wait for the food or even continue the party after the feast. It makes your guests feel way more comfortable and more likely to stay for your awesome desserts!

 

4. Look up some fall festive desserts/ drink beverages

We all know there’s always room for dessert. Looking up fun desserts for your friends after the meal makes you the best host there is. Just when they thought it couldn’t get any better, it did! And of course for all those of age, the fun alcoholic drinks will make your guests very happy. This is the time to experiment with all those drink recipes you scroll through on Facebook, but don’t have time to whip up before MRT. You’re guests will be impressed and I guarantee they’re delicious.

 

5. Use paper products 

I promise that when everyone leaves and you look around at all the cups, plates, silverware, and cooking supplies you will most definitely NOT want to clean that up. And conveniently your guests will be on their way home stomachs full and hands free. Use paper products to save yourself from hours of dishes. All it takes is a big black trash bag and you are done for the night!

HCXO,

Kara