![A person holding a plate on a table full of stacked plates. A person holding a plate on a table full of stacked plates.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/creating-the-perfect-friendsgiving-dinner-hero.jpg)
![Sandy Coughlin contributorImage](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/sandy-coughlin-headshot.jpg)
A Note From The Home Depot
With the help of The Home Depot, Sandy Coughlin of Reluctant Entertainer created a new, festive dining space in her home for Friendsgiving dinner this year.
![A wood table decorated with white dinnerware and black napkins. A wood table decorated with white dinnerware and black napkins.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/creating-the-perfect-friendsgiving-dinner-image-1.jpg)
What exactly is a Friendsgiving party? Friendsgiving is everything you love about Thanksgiving—cozy food, familiar company, lively laughter—except you invite your closest friends. In sum, it is an occasion to mingle with your closest friends around delicious, comforting dishes, and simply be together. Who doesn’t love an excuse to eat and drink with your friends, surrounded by an overwhelming aura of gratitude? Count me in!
Today I’m sharing my hosting tips for creating the perfect space and meal for a Friendsgiving dinner party!
Make the Invite
![A table decorated with place settings and a basket of rolls for a Friendsgiving dinner. A table decorated with place settings and a basket of rolls for a Friendsgiving dinner.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/creating-the-perfect-friendsgiving-dinner-image-2.jpg)
Think of people you wouldn’t normally spend Thanksgiving with. Set the date, make the invite, and start planning! The occasion is centered around gratitude, so keep it simple and fun!
Shopping Online at the Home Depot
![A woman standing behind a dining table below a chandelier. A woman standing behind a dining table below a chandelier.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/creating-the-perfect-friendsgiving-dinner-image-3.jpg)
With the help of The Home Depot, we shopped online and ushered in the holiday spirit by creating a new, festive dining space in our home for this Friendsgiving dinner.
Starting in our dining room, we ordered a new dining room table and chairs. We put together our sleek, low-profile teak wood dining table and 8 retro, leather chairs that are beyond comfortable—beware, your guests might fall asleep right there at the table after one bite of turkey! The instructions are easy!
Set the Table
![A table full of dishes and glasses. A table full of dishes and glasses.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/creating-the-perfect-friendsgiving-dinner-image-4.jpg)
I love to lay everything out on the table before it’s set. It gives me inspiration for the color scheme, theme, and flowers or foliage to use. Arrange all the dishes you’ll need for the party, including linen napkins and glassware.
![A person ties together the ends of a eucalyptus garland. A person ties together the ends of a eucalyptus garland.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/creating-the-perfect-friendsgiving-dinner-image-5.jpg)
We used a eucalyptus garland in the center of the table (tied together with fishing line), and added red pears and persimmons.
Next, we set the table with beautiful chargers, dishes, and linens.
![A wooden table with white place settings on decorative chargers. A wooden table with white place settings on decorative chargers.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/creating-the-perfect-friendsgiving-dinner-image-6.jpg)
The glassware is elegant and refracts light beautifully! We used tall water glasses and shorter wine glasses.
Appetizers and Wine
![A woman holding a plate of appetizers. A woman holding a plate of appetizers.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/creating-the-perfect-friendsgiving-dinner-image-7.jpg)
My favorite glass and wood decanter made the wine look (and taste) so lovely.
![A glass and wood decanter sitting on a table. A glass and wood decanter sitting on a table.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/creating-the-perfect-friendsgiving-dinner-image-8.jpg)
Speaking of wine, you must serve a delicious appetizer for Friendsgiving. On this beautiful board, we made an elegant charcuterie with two cheeses, red pears, fig jam, and tasty crackers. The cured meats were out of this world, and of course, we garnished it with rosemary (the herb of friendship).
The Menu
![A cooked turkey on a platter next to a bowl of orange tomato soup. A cooked turkey on a platter next to a bowl of orange tomato soup.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/creating-the-perfect-friendsgiving-dinner-image-9.jpg)
Our menu consisted a large roasted chicken, salads, rolls, and a yummy orange tomato soup! Remember, it just needs to be cozy; it doesn’t have to be fancy.
We also asked our guests to bring a salad and a bottle of wine!
Final Touch: Dessert and Espresso
![A pumpkin pie square on a plate. A pumpkin pie square on a plate.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/creating-the-perfect-friendsgiving-dinner-image-10.jpg)
Next steps in the final touch for the ultimate Friendsgiving meal: Pumpkin Pie Squares!
Using our new KitchenAid Mini Stand Mixer (in orange sorbet color), we whipped ahead the whipped cream for our pumpkin dessert. Whip and set aside in the fridge to stay cool.
![Pecans in a stainless steel Cuisinart food processor. Pecans in a stainless steel Cuisinart food processor.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/creating-the-perfect-friendsgiving-dinner-image-11.jpg)
The best dessert always takes a few extra steps to make it tasty and memorable.
![A bowl of whipped cream next to a pan of pumpkin squares. A bowl of whipped cream next to a pan of pumpkin squares.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/creating-the-perfect-friendsgiving-dinner-image-12.jpg)
Using our new food processor, we made the most delicious crust, and pressed it down into the 10×15 jelly roll pan. We whipped up the pumpkin mix in the stand mixer, and gently poured it into the partially cooked crust.
![An espresso maker drips espresso into a cup. An espresso maker drips espresso into a cup.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/creating-the-perfect-friendsgiving-dinner-image-13.jpg)
Next – bake to perfection! Serve with whipped cream and enjoy with a latte or espresso!
We feel the final touch to the perfect Friendsgiving Dinner is to offer not only friendship, but coffee. :)
Using our new espresso machine, we ground fresh coffee, and whipped up cups of espresso (and lattes).
![A dining table decorated for a Friendsgiving dinner. A dining table decorated for a Friendsgiving dinner.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/creating-the-perfect-friendsgiving-dinner-image-14.jpg)
A great time was had by all and I can’t wait to do it again next year!