It's the best time of the year! Usually the holidays are a time to travel and see family, friends and loved ones. But with everything that is going on in the world at the moment, this may not be a typical holiday season. This is, however, your chance to make new traditions. Through it all, we are still here and that is something to celebrate!
So grab your Sparkling Brut and get ready to pop the bubbly with your bubble! Gather with the friends that you know are being COVID safe & smart, the group you’ve been with since the beginning of this year, and plan a feast to remember! This Friendsgiving is going to be better than the rest because this season, your friends are your family.
So how does one plan a feast? What if you’ve never made an entire turkey before? To ease your mind, we’ve compiled a full guide on how to celebrate Friendsgiving so that you can focus on what’s important - friends, food and WINE.
It’s Time to Celebrate
Since the holiday landscape does look a little different this year, Friendsgiving can be celebrated in a variety of ways, some traditional, others more creative. Whether you decide to attend or host an event in person or virtually, make the right decision for you, but just make sure you have a bottle of wine ready at the waiting. The Friendsgiving tips we provide can be done both virtually and in-person, so choose what you’re comfortable with and let’s party!
Host a potluck. Potlucks are always a fun way to see which of your friends can cook! Each person invited brings their favorite dish, often leading to a smorgasbord of exciting foods. Indulging is the game here, and we’re all for it.
Virtual tip: Gather on zoom and have all your friends make a smaller, single serving size of their dish and share the recipes!
Throw a virtual party. This is great for the current time as you can invite as many people as you want. Tell your friends to invite their friends and you can even organize a talent show where people can sign up and showcase their chosen skill to the party. The talent show will get better as you drink!
Holiday movie marathon. Grab a group of your closest friends, prep a few dishes, organize some holiday drinks and pull out the cushions for a night at the movies (at home).
Social distancing tip: There are a few fun ways to have a socially distanced movie night. Google Chrome extension Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) allows you to watch synchronized flicks with your friends all around the world, with a group chat feature added to Netflix, Disney, Hulu and HBO. Alternatively, if you live in an apartment block with a rooftop, you could see if your building can arrange a socially-distanced movie night with your neighbors.
The Wine List
The refreshments that will accompany all the delicious food are just as important as the food itself. We all know how a great bottle of wine can level up a fabulous meal!
For a more formal sit-down dinner, the Black Girl Magic Wines will pair well with your fancy attire & delicious food! The Black Girl Magic Fall Vibes 6-pack is perfect for this occasion and will provide you with an entire wine list in one order. It’s also a great time to taste through the collection with your favorite holiday dishes to find the best pairings!
The Food
Now for the best part of the holidays (apart from the great company, of course). The food. If you are hosting then typically you will supply the main meal and have your friends bring all the supporting side dishes. However, if it’s a potluck you can coordinate with all the guests to bring a different dish of their choosing. To mix things up a bit and get into the Autumn spirit, add a pie bar and ask everyone to bring their favorite pie and toppings. Your party will end up with a range of delicious pie options such as pumpkin, pecan, apple and more!
If your Friendsgiving bubble is more of a brunch crowd, try a range of lighter options that can satisfy your sweet tooth such as pumpkin-spiced waffles, homemade cinnamon buns or croissant french toast with soft caramel apples.
The Decor
The key to making these new traditions into lasting memories? The decor! You may want to pick a theme or even have everyone dress up, when was the last time we wore our high heels? Turn wine corks into place card holders, stop by the store and get festive! Make your space feel like the home you may not be able to go visit this year. Facetime your mom or grandmother and get decorating tips from them, too. Virtual tip: If you’re hosting a virtual event, set a theme for everyone to dress up and put on a fun background. Or even have everyone put their background as one of their favorite photos of the group!
Let the Games Begin!
Once the feasting is over, it’s time for the entertainment to begin. Friendsgiving is the time to reconnect with the people you love, and have fun together in person or virtually. It’s so important to be surrounded by your loved ones but this year that might just be a long Facetime call! Be safe this holiday week but also, treat yourself. You deserve a safe night surrounded by the friends in your bubble and the wines you love. Cheers!
P.S. While celebrating the holiday season with your families and friends, don't forget to cheers for the tiny little happiness in your daily life. Try out our Wine Club specials and share with your special ones.
