It’s officially holiday season here at The Penrose, and we want to make sure you’re celebrating in true Penrose fashion! The last two years have made getting together with friends and family more difficult than ever, and it’s put a strain on our ability to give thanks for all that we have. Now that we can feel more comfortable gathering, let’s make sure that we give it our all!
What better way to celebrate the friendships we have, than by hosting a friendsgiving here at your luxury apartment in Bozeman. From festive food to friendship-focused games and activities, there’s an endless amount of ways to host a friendsgiving. What matters most is getting the chance to spend time reconnecting with those who matter most. Here are our tips for planning the perfect friendsgiving this holiday season.
Finger Food or Feast?
Depending on the size of your party and the needs of the group, you’ll either want to keep some sharable snacks on hand or make sure you have a large spread to make up a meal. For a smaller group, go ahead and put together a more extensive menu to really make them feel special! If you’re catering for a large crowd, opt for appetizers and snacks that can be spread out amongst a crowd, while still making sure they are enjoying themselves.
If you do end up wanting a larger meal, don’t carry the weight on your own shoulders! Check-in with your friends ahead of time to have everyone pitch in one menu item. From sparkling drinks to napkins, anything helps! Offer to provide the items that are harder to transport, like freshly baked turkey or fresh pumpkin pies. This can be a fun way to involve everyone in the group while giving people a chance to add their own flare to Friendsgiving. Try these recipes for the best Thanksgiving food and dessert, or send them to your friends for some great inspiration!
The same goes for a larger crowd; have everyone offer to bring something, whether it be big or small, to share with the group. If you have an idea of what they will be bringing beforehand, it can make your job as the host a lot easier. Make sure that you have enough to go around, but don’t worry about providing a whole meal for a group this size. As long as there is something sweet and something salty, everyone will be happy! Use these recipes for the tastiest Thanksgiving treats while planning the perfect friendsgiving.
Get Festive!
What’s better than a party with your friends? A photo booth with your friends! Head to the store or search online for friendsgiving backdrops that make for the best group pictures. Look for a funny background or props to lighten the mood and get people in the spirit of Thanksgiving.
Take turns taking pictures of each other on your smartphones, or even a film camera if you happen to have one handy! If you want to make sure you get a group picture with everyone in it, set up a tripod and jump in the frame! This is a fun way to keep the party dynamic, as well as create memories that will last forever. These DIY photo-ops make the best holiday Instagram photos as well!
You can tell your friends to dress up, or dress down! Take the opportunity to look cute, or feel your comfiest in some PJs. Either way, a themed dress code makes for the best pictures, so keep this in mind while planning your perfect friendsgiving.
Gather ‘round!
One of the best ways to plan your perfect friendsgiving is by setting up a few games beforehand. There are so many new card games to choose from, like What Do You Meme or We’re Not Really Strangers. More interactive activities like Pay The Price, or even classic Twister are sure to keep your friends entertained. Playing silly games is a great way to keep the mood light & create the best memories.
Give Thanks!
Another great way to bring your friends together is to give thanks together. Although we have things to be grateful for all year round, it’s important to take the time to acknowledge them during times like Thanksgiving. An easy way to connect with your friends is to take a moment to acknowledge one thing that everyone is grateful for. This can be as simple as being grateful for pumpkin pie or the friendship you all share. Whatever it is, taking the time to share this with your friends is an important part of gathering.
Your team at Penrose wants to take the time to give thanks to the community at Penrose and Bozeman. There’s no better way to spend the holidays and embrace gratitude than appreciating the place you get to call home. Our ability to offer our residents and community members modern living for work, culture, and adventure is what’s most important to us.
We hope you enjoy the process of planning the perfect friendsgiving and enjoy the chances you get to spend time with friends and family this holiday season. Tag us in your festivities on Instagram @livepenrose to let us know how you’re giving thanks and Happy Holidays from the Penrose.
