Are you skipping Thanksgiving at home with the folks because of finances or mutual acrimony? Throw a Friendsgiving instead.
For noobs, Friendsgiving is basically a scaled down Thanksgiving with friends. You make the turkey and gravy, they show up with everything else.
But pulling off a great Turkey Day without the input of a grandma can be daunting. Below are a few essentials to pull off a flawless soiree. Make your besties beam with happiness and make Becky from accounting bright green with envy. Take that, Becky!
1) Herb Turkey Brine
Making a turkey people actually want to eat is pretty tough to do – until you learn the secrets of brining. Soak your bird in some brine and it will come out super tasty and moist every time. This kit takes any thought out of the process. Just dunk your bird in it overnight and roast as usual.
Price on Amazon: $15.99
2) Bluetooth room speaker
You can’t have a shindig without a bunch of tunes. Stream some Top 40 hits from your smartphone to get your guests in the groove. Or play the Monster Mash if you want to confuse them or make them uneasy before the meal.
Price on Amazon: $19
3) Turkey hat
We all have that friend who doesn’t have any concept of how time works. Whoever is the last guest to arrive at the party must wear this turkey hat so that the world may know their sins. Laugh at them while pointing. “Shame on you, turkey hat!” your guests will yell with delight.
Price on Amazon: $8
4) Crock-Pot with Dipper, 6-quart
Once your guests arrive with endless sides, you’re going to want to keep them warm. Some can stay in a low oven, but other sides (like soup, casserole or gravy) will be at home in this big CrockPot. It even comes with a mini companion pot just in case you decide to serve some spicy queso or hot artichoke dip.
Price on Amazon: $44.99 (regularly $59.99)
5) Classic cocktail mixers
After the turkey hat humiliation session, you should fix some fancy drinks for your guests. This set contains agave nectar, mojito mix and pomegranate, mango and Triple Sec syrups. Mix with your favorite booze and serve over ice to put a smile on any face.
Price on Amazon: $11
6) Cranium
Play a board game that won’t leave you bored. Cranium gets guests on their feet to act out, think big and even sink their fingers into clay in a no-holds-barred competition.
Price on Amazon: $15
7) Planes, Trains and Automobiles
If you try and tell me there’s a better Thanksgiving movie than Planes, Trains and Automobiles, I’m going to make you wear the turkey hat. The 1987 John Hughes comedy classic will make you laugh, cry and make everything not hurt. John Candy is that magical.
Price on Amazon: $3.99 – $17.99
8) Mini pie maker, 3-pack
Don’t settle for choosing between pumpkin, apple or pecan. Pick up some store-bought pie crust (or better yet, puff pastry) and make every flavor of pie imaginable using canned fillings. Put them together using these super cute pie makers and freeze them until dessert rolls around. After that, just bake or fry, dust in powdered sugar and await your “World’s Best Friend” award.
Price on Amazon: $8 (regularly $20)
9) Stovetop espresso maker, 6-cup
Nothing ends a fancy meal like a little cup of espresso, served to taste with sugar, cream and dark chocolate. This easy to use stovetop maker makes six cups at once on gas and electric stovetops.
Price on Amazon: $19.99
10) Leftover containers, 12-pack
Face it: the only thing better than the Thanksgiving meal itself is leftovers. Send your guests home with the best gift of all: a restaurant quality to-go container packed with all the stuff you need to make a great leftover sandwich.
Price on Amazon: $13
MORE BAZAAR DEALS:
- Serve up some stylish soup with this ceramic pumpkin tureen
- 8 Thanksgiving tools to make turkey day a whopping success
- 20 holiday gifts to impress your foodie friends
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