Choose Your Own Thanksgiving Adventure!
Welcome fabulous host. You’ve decided to throw Friendsgiving (or Thanksgiving-adjacent shenanigans) — a brave, noble, slightly chaotic act of love. Whether you’re in a cozy apartment with a table that doubles as a desk, or a house big enough for a “kids’ table” that’s actually just for adults who like to gossip — this guide will be your saucy sidekick.
Think of it as part playbook, part permission slip, part dessert cart with a wink from Crème de Liqueur.
Chapter 1: Where Are You Hosting This Culinary Spectacle?
Your Apartment
Tight quarters? No problem. You, my friend, are in prime “intimate dinner party” territory.
Furniture Tetris: Push your couch against the wall and throw a blanket over it to create a lounge zone.
Multi-purpose surfaces: That coffee table? It’s now the charcuterie stage.
Lighting magic: Turn off overheads. Light candles, string fairy lights, and boom — instant mood.
Hosting in a small space means you get to be selective. Invite the core crew: the ones who make you laugh till your mascara runs, not the guy from work who double-dips.
Your Home
Ah, the luxury of space. A house means flow — people can drift from kitchen to dining to living room like it’s a holiday ballet.
Set up drink zones: Self-serve bar cars or a signature cocktail station.
Delegate: Ask guests to bring sides or desserts (they’ll actually love the chance).
Keep the kitchen festive: Play jazzy background tunes, light a candle that smells like you baked three pies
Whether it's an apartment or a house, remember: guests will remember how they felt in your space more than how perfect it looked.
Chapter 2: What’s the Main Event?
The Turkey
You’re going traditional — bravo. It’s a bold move, and you’ll need a plan.
Buy early: Turkeys need time to thaw, darling.
Brine or bust: Even if you’ve never done it before, try it. It’s worth the mess.
Delegate sides: You’re doing the heavy lift, so let someone else handle green beans.
Hosting hack: While the turkey rests, set out pre-dessert treats — a mini tasting flight of Crème de Liqueur frozen custard or sorbet in small cups. Guests will swoon, and you’ll buy yourself thirty minutes of glorious calm before carving.
The Ham
Ham-lovers, you’re the laid-back bon vivants of Friendsgiving.
Glaze it up: Try a bourbon-maple glaze that makes your whole kitchen smell like luxury. Bonus: It reheats beautifully for brunch the next day.
Pro tip: Serve a scoop of Crème de Liqueur’s Chocolate Brownie Bourbon Swirl on the side for a sweet-savory contrast that will make guests question their life choices (in a good way).
Either way, the secret is timing. Serve early enough that people aren’t ravenous, but late enough that the cocktails have done their social magic.
Chapter 3: The Party Mood
Fancy soirée
Oh, you’re going full glam. We love that for you.
Dress code: “Cocktail chic but I still need to sit cross-legged after dessert.”
Table aesthetic: Think monochrome linens, gold fatware, candles in mismatched heights.
Playlist: Smooth jazz, classic crooners, or modern lounge vibes.
Dessert moment:
Bring out Crème de Liqueur like it’s a star unveiling. Scoop into chilled coupe glasses, garnish with a single mint leaf or shaved chocolate, and serve it table side. The adults-only twist makes everyone feel like they’re in on a delicious secret.
Down-to-earth feast
You’re all about comfort, conversation, and seconds.
Menu: Potluck style. Encourage creativity (and backup stuffing).
Vibe: Cozy lighting, mismatched plates, sweat pants after the second course are totally allowed.
Playlist: Fleetwood Mac, 90s R&B, or anything that makes people sing.
Dessert moment:
Pull pints of Crème de Liqueur straight from the freezer and let guests scoop their own while you pour digestifs. No fuss, no garnish required — just frozen, creamy bliss that tastes like celebration.
Chapter 4: Drinks — Because We’re All Adults Here
You’re not just feeding people, you’re hydrating them with style.
Cocktail hour: One signature drink keeps it chic. A bourbon-cranberry spritz or maple-rosemary fizz pairs perfectly with the holiday mood.
Wine strategy: 1 bottle for every 2 guests, plus an emergency backup.
Non-alcoholic options: Sparkling cider or mocktails with herbs and citrus slices — the look of luxury, minus the buzz.
When dessert rolls around, Crème de Liqueur steps in again. Offer it as a grown-up affogato: a scoop of frozen custard topped with a drizzle of espresso or a shot of your favorite liqueur.
Chapter 5: Games, Gratitude, and Graceful Chaos
Once plates are cleared and guests loosen their belts, decide your post-feast energy.
Cozy Crew: Light the fire (or the YouTube version), pass around blankets, and take turns sharing what you’re thankful for. Keep it genuine but not Hallmark.
Party Crew: Switch to danceable tunes. Clear a space. Someone will inevitably start karaoke, and that’s fine — it’s tradition.
Mixed Bag: Board games, trivia, or a “Best Side Dish” contest with Crème de Liqueur pints as the prize.
Hosting wisdom: Gratitude doesn’t need speeches. Sometimes it’s just handing someone the last scoop of your favorite flavor.
The Final Chapter: No Wrong Way to Feast
Friendsgiving isn’t about precision; it’s about connection. You could burn the rolls, drop the spoon in the gravy, or forget the cranberries entirely — and no one will care. What matters is that you opened your door and said, “Come in, sit down, stay awhile.”
Crème de Liqueur exists for moments exactly like this. It’s indulgent, grown-up, and a little unexpected. The perfect ending for the feast you just pulled off — or the one you cobbled together last-minute with good intentions and better company.
So, dear host, whether your celebration looked like a glossy dinner party or a candlelit picnic on the living-room floor, you did it. You made memories, filled bellies, and hopefully left enough room for dessert.
Because no matter how you host, there’s one rule we can all agree on: There’s always space for Crème de Liqueur..
