The Sunday Column: For Those of Us Prepping for Friendsgiving.

By: Alexis Shoats

It is quite mind-boggling to think about how close we are to Thanksgiving. Was it not just October? And now, as we prepare for Thanksgiving, for many of us, it is also time to gather with our extended family, also known as Friendsgiving time!

I'm hosting my fifth annual Friendsgiving this weekend, and I can assure you it gets a bit easier to host each year! Hosting can easily be exhausting, especially when you are asking various friends to all bring a dish that is 1. Tasty and 2. On Theme. You don’t want anyone bringing a dish that doesn’t work well with the menu. However, what I’ve learned is that even as the perfect host, there is a ton you can and should control, and then there are other items or tasks you should delegate. Friendsgiving is so collaborative, make your life easier! 

1. As the Host, I think it is law that you can decide what you want to bring or cook for the event. So, depending on how long it will take you to prep, decorate, and your overall cooking acumen, I fully support what you decide to make (or buy)! Don’t feel the need to cook the main dish. You are providing the decor, location, and cocktails. Who cares if you make a side dish? 

2. This also brings me to my next point, as the host, I do believe there should always be specialty cocktails on the menu. However, if you also would like to include wines, this is the perfect opportunity to ask a friend to bring their favorite! Maybe even delegate this out to one person as their sole responsibility. 

3. Lastly, this might sound so simple, but trust me, you may forget, and you are going to thank me in the future. Ice. Please delegate this item out. You will always need ice, and it is such a forgettable item. Ask someone else to grab it. 

Hosting can be rewarding but also equally draining if you don’t properly prepare. As I always say, if you have errands to run, I’d much rather you plan to do that on Saturday or Sunday instead of during the week. Running crucial errands, figuring out decor, and preparing a food dish is no easy feat. Get the bulk of your to-do list done early! Once you are done, pick up your favorite entree from your go-to restaurant and open a glass of wine. Enjoy the solitude this Sunday, before the craziness of the Holiday season really begins. 

I hope your week is better than the last. 

Alexis Shoats 

Editor - In - Chief