Hosting a Thanksgiving with friends has become this big, new thing that lots of people are doing. We started doing it 9 years ago for our foreign friends who had nowhere to go for Thanksgiving. We called it Thanksgiving with Friends and even though it is referred to as Friendsgiving for many others. We're sticking with what we have always done. So, here is how it went this year.
We use Alton Brown's roasted turkey recipe and have used it for nine years. It is the bomb! You end up with a super juicy and flavorful turkey because you soak it in a brine solution overnight. Seriously, it's amazing.
We use Alton Brown's roasted turkey recipe and have used it for nine years. It is the bomb! You end up with a super juicy and flavorful turkey because you soak it in a brine solution overnight. Seriously, it's amazing.
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I always make sure we have places for everyone to sit that are not on the sofa so, we moved our desk into the dining room and made it a buffet and then placed folding tables in our breakfast nook for our guests. I covered the tables with brown butcher paper and then drew place settings at each seat. I topped the tables off with some evergreen branches and cream candles. It looked pretty and was easy as well.
For the kids table I did something similar but also wrote their names on the "plates", added some cute turkey masks that I made and some "corn" which was simply a ziplock baggie filled with Kix cereal and wrapped with green tissue paper and twine to look like corn on the cob. I also placed a bucket of crayons in the center and a dancing turkey.
For the kids table I did something similar but also wrote their names on the "plates", added some cute turkey masks that I made and some "corn" which was simply a ziplock baggie filled with Kix cereal and wrapped with green tissue paper and twine to look like corn on the cob. I also placed a bucket of crayons in the center and a dancing turkey.
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For silverware and plates I decided after our fourth Thanksgiving with Friends that I couldn't handle that many dishes so, we use paper now. This year I took it up a notch and created these utensil holders. I found a template for the holder and created my own logo. Then I simply cut them out folded, glued and stuffed! It was great. I also bought microwaveable take home containers and made stickers for the top of each one so guests could make a meal for later. It was really handy, especially when I wanted a little of everything the next day but didn't want to open up 7 different containers of leftovers. I made the logos at www.canva.com. It's a free graphic design creation site and it is Ah-May-Zing!
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The turkey masks were both easy and adorable!
DIY Felt Turkey Mask:
- brown, yellow and red felt
- mask template (I found mine on google images)
- elastic string
- hot glue and glue gun
1. Using your template, cut out the mask from the brown felt.
2. Cut out beaks (I just drew some triangle shapes on the yellow felt and them cut them out.)
3. Cut out the waddles. (I again, drew it on the felt and cut it out.)
4. Hot glue waddles and beaks to mask.
5. Cut a small slit on either side of the mask and thread the elastic through, finishing it with a knot.
DIY Felt Turkey Mask:
- brown, yellow and red felt
- mask template (I found mine on google images)
- elastic string
- hot glue and glue gun
1. Using your template, cut out the mask from the brown felt.
2. Cut out beaks (I just drew some triangle shapes on the yellow felt and them cut them out.)
3. Cut out the waddles. (I again, drew it on the felt and cut it out.)
4. Hot glue waddles and beaks to mask.
5. Cut a small slit on either side of the mask and thread the elastic through, finishing it with a knot.
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Everyone had a great time and can't wait until the next party!
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