Celebrating the holidays with your family and friends makes this time of year extra special. Over the years, Friendsgiving has grown more and more popular, purely because it capitalizes on the fact that FRIENDS are often the family we CHOOSE. Whether your friends’ kids have become your kids’ friends or you’ve become friends with your kids’ friends’ parents (did we lose you? lol) getting together and experiencing Friendsgiving can not only show your littles the true meaning (and magic!) of the holidays BUT it can be super fun too! So here are our 10 Tips on how to Host the Perfect Friendsgiving Playdate!
- VEER from the traditional Thanksgiving menu and serve some childhood favorites. Mac-n-Cheese is a MUST! What little one doesn’t love macaroni and cheese? Spice up your “go-to” recipe with our holiday favorite.
- While we are on the topic of food, invite your guests to bring THEIR kids’ FAVORITE holiday dish. This will save you time, money, and the guess work on if your tiny eaters will like what you are serving!
- Our simple rule of thumb on how many children to invite to parties is this. If your child is 2 – invite 2 kids, if he or she is 3 – invite 3 kids, and so on. Nothing crashes a party faster than an overwhelmed little one.
- Also, nothing stirs up the chaos more than a tired toddler. If your child and the children attending are still napping, be sure to poll your guests before settling on a playdate time to ensure all party goers are well rested and ready to feast when the Friendsgiving activities begin!
- KEEP IT SIMPLE: Don’t put too much pressure on seating arrangements or dinnerware. That is for your crazy Aunt Sue on the big day (Ammi right?). Offer up child appropriate seating as well as plates that will not break.
- Be sure to INCLUDE fall inspired activities instead of letting your little guests free play the entire time. We know the party will always lead to the play area but be sure to provide some additional arts and crafts or pumpkin inspired fun to keep the little ones entertained and the party going! We recommend this easy, DIY Pumpkin Pie Playdough.
- Let your little guests be the FOCUS. The holidays can be a crazy time of year and our attention can sometimes be taken off the important things. Whether you decide to offer alcohol at your playdate or not, remember why you are hosting this Friendsgiving, to bring your child’s friends together and teach them the true meaning of the holidays. No one wants to see your friends do a handstand competition – save that for your Annual Cookie Exchange.
- CAPTURE THOSE MEMORIES – especially if this is something you plan on hosting every year. Watching your little ones literally grow up together and your Friendsgiving festivities evolve can really make your events special as the years go on!
- INVEST in take out containers! You’ll probably have leftovers and your guests will appreciate that little take away!
- HAVE FUN with it! When did the holidays become so serious? Laugh at the things that don’t go according to plan and appreciate the time you have with the people you love!
