Friendsgiving: Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes of a Friendsgiving Segment 

I was given some products from Oriental Trading to use in styling parties. 

I'm so excited friends, I got the opportunity to show some Friendsgiving ideas on Afternoon Live.  I wanted to give three easy ideas for people to be inspired by.  I'm taking you behind the scenes to show you the pre-prep before the show. 

The set up area is located just outside where the filming takes place.  There are tables for the guests to prep and than when it's time to go on air the tables are wheeled into the studio.  Here's my table all ready to go. 

I had a little time before it was time to go on air so of course I had to get some shots of the table.  Thank you to my assistant for taking pics of me taking pics of my table set up. I know I look a little casual in jeans but all you see is my top on air so it's all good. 

Sometimes to get just the right shot you have to scrunch down.  The two ladies in the back were going on air that day too. The lady on the left was talking about yummy easy crock pot recipes and the lady on the right was talking about easy tasty fudge. They were both so cute. They saw my table and we're like, some people are so creative 😁 Yep, that's me. I seriously can't help it. My brain just loves styling parties. 

Busy snapping pics before I go on air. 

A little look at the hard cider part of my table.  

Hot cider bar area of my table.  When guests arrive show them to the hot cider bar.  Keep the cider warm in a crock pot.  If your table has room you can add some décor pieces like apples in a basket or a fall leaf garland. 

I hope you enjoyed a look at the behind the scenes.
Will you be hosting a Friendsgiving this year?  Leave me a comment. I'd love to hear about it. 

Shop this look:

Styling: Fizzy Party 

Table linen: Bed, Bath and Beyond

Red cake stand: World Market

White mugs, wood round, leaf garland, pumpkin: Oriental Trading 

Mason jars: Ball 

Plaid fabric: Craft Warehouse

Hard cider tasting printable: BellaGrey Designs 

Wire basket: Michaels 

Thanksgiving Day Dessert

Thanksgiving Day Desserts 

**Products given to me by Oriental Trading in exchange for styling a party. I work with them because I've been buying from them for years!**

When I think of Thanksgiving dessert I think pie.  Pumpkin pie and berry pie, mmm mmm.  This year why not change it up and serve up easy desserts like cupcakes, cookies and more. This works especially well if you're hosting a last minute Friendsgiving.  Save yourself time and pick up some goodies at a great local bakery. 

Chocolate chip cookies. Who doesn't love those? Me. I don't like chocolate chip cookies. Never have. But I'm just weird like that. People always give me the, "I did not just hear you say you don't like chocolate chip cookies" look.  But hey, more cookies for everyone else. 

I don't know about your house but football is always on on Thanksgiving and popcorn goes great with watching the game. Especially when it's kettle corn.  

Now this is what I'm talking about. Cupcakes. That smooth frosting is calling my name.  To make your cupcakes more festive you can cut out craft paper to use as cupcake wrappers. 

Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving save yourself some stress and ask your family or friends to bring some dessert or pick it up at a local bakery. The day should be about enjoying time with family and friends, not stress. 

Shop this party- 

White pumpkin and pinecone candle holders- Oriental Trading

Pumpkin cake stand and white trays- HomeGoods 

Glitter Turkey- Fizzy Party on Etsy 

Hosting an Easy Friendsgiving

Hosting an Easy Friendsgiving

** Product was given to me by Oriental Trading in exchange for styling a party. FYI: I've been ordering from this company long before I was a blogger**

Does the thought of hosting Friendsgiving stress you out? It doesn't have to.  I'm here to help you stress less. 

Clean the areas of your house where your guests will be and don't worry about the rest.  Just close the doors to the bedrooms if they're messy. Give the floors a quick sweep. No need to mop unless the floors are really grungy. Bathrooms and kitchen should be spotless of course. No one wants to eat at some one's house who's kitchen is dirty and a dirty bathroom is just gross.  

You could set the table or if you're like me go buffet style because we rarely eat at our table.  You could set up the plates, napkins, utensils and glasses on a side hutch if you have one.

Use pretty paper plates to make clean up easy. Who wants to spend all evening in the kitchen cleaning up while everyone else gets to sit around chatting. 

It's just not Thanksgiving/Friendsgiving without a cornucopia. 

Offer your guests a cocktail or non-alcoholic drink while they wait for dinner to be done. 

When your guests ask, is there anything I can bring? Say YES. This saves you time and stress because you don't have to make everything.  Tell your guests what you want them to bring.  By telling your guests what to bring you make it easier on you and them. That way you don't end up with all sides or a bunch of salads.  And your guests don't have to keep asking you, "what are you missing? What do you need?"

If you'll be hosting Friendsgiving this year pop over here and let me know. 

Let's shop this party:

Wood round, gold pumpkins, paper plates: Oriental Trading 

Gold Chargers- Amazon (affiliate)

Napkins- Clearance item from Fred Meyer

Gold Flatware- A friend sent me when she was cleaning out her stash. 

Woo Hoo!! Wednesday

I see so many beautiful Thanksgiving tablescapes out there.  Here's the thing, my family would never be able to do any of them. There's too many of us :)   It use to be there were 18-20 of us easy around a table. Squished in elbow to elbow and no room on the table for anything but food. I LOVE it!  Can't imagine a small, quiet Thanksgiving.  Now that the kids are having kids our group is a little smaller, 10 or so. The parents are having their kids and grandkids over to their own houses.  There's still no room on the table to do these great ideas, that's why it's a Woo Hoo!! Wednesday. 

This gorgeous Thanksgiving table is from one of my favorite blogs Shindig Parties to Go

The candles on the table are beautiful and remind us of the reason we're all gathered together. (Country Living.com)

The simplicity of this table is touching. (Country Living.com)

The next three pictures is our Thanksgiving table. As you can see, no room for anything but food :) YUM!

Does your Thanksgiving table have room for anything but food?