I am a food journalist, and cooking and entertaining is among my very favorite activities. However, I just so happen do said food writing in New York City, where as many people do, I live in a tiny studio apartment.
This means I have limited kitchen space, and even more limited non-kitchen space, so entertaining requires some creativity and planning. But once everything comes together, and everyone is happy, it’s so worth everything that went into it.
I hosted a Friendsgiving celebration this week in a small New York City apartment, and here’s some of my considerations that went into it, as well as the food and drinks that pulled it altogether.
Make snacking simple and stress-free
People are happiest when they’re fed and relaxed. “Don’t make guests cut their own cheese or dig for ice in the freezer,” said Christina Bonfiglio-Dietz, Chief Brand and Concept Officer at Triple T Hospitality Group, in an email interview.
Have appetizers and bite-sized foods ready before anyone arrives. “Set out pre-cut or pre-assembled snacks, a bowl of ice, napkins, and mini water bottles within easy reach. When everything is accessible, guests can help themselves—and that’s when the most seamless, effortless gatherings happen,” said Bonfiglio-Dietz.
In our case, we had wine, hummus, cheese, and olives as the foundation for a pre-dinner grazing table. It was the perfect way to set the evening in motion, and have a casual nosh as people filed in.
Set the tone with music you can feel
Music is everything. Create a playlist or find a station that resonates – and stick to it for the evening. “Set the mood with what you want to hear. I always recommend an eclectic mix of familiar soft soul and deep chill house. It’s comforting, uplifting, and calming all at once – perfect for sipping wine, laughing until your stomach hurts, or making conversation. It’s background music you can truly feel,” said Bonfiglio-Dietz.
As many of us have been friends for decades, we’re all nostalgic for the same era, and there was largely ’80s music being played throughout the night.
Perfect the lighting and temperature
Soft lighting makes all the difference. “Keep your space gently lit with candles glowing, overhead lights dimmed, and wall light balanced for a cozy feel,” said Bonfiglio-Dietz.
Also, do not overheat the room; even in winter, cranking the heat can make guests flushed and tired. “A cooler 67–70 degrees keeps everyone feeling much more at ease,” said Bonfiglio-Dietz.
Create subtle movements for comfort
“Here’s a trick I swear by: movement makes people comfortable,” said Bonfiglio-Dietz.
Keep subtle motion in the room—a ceiling fan on low, a fireplace going, or even a classic movie playing silently in the background. “Gentle movement brings a sense of warmth, making your space instantly more welcoming,” said Bonfiglio-Dietz.
I tried to make The Summer I Turned Pretty our background, but was outvoted. So, nostalgic music videos were just perfect.
Make “no theme” the theme this year
“My theme of choice this season is no theme,” said Bonfiglio-Dietz.
Everyone’s days are already filled with decisions and busy schedules, so don’t add to that list by making guests buy a specific outfit or bring a certain dish. “A true Friendsgiving should feel like an escape and an evening filled with laughter, calm, and emotional recharge,” said Bonfiglio-Dietz.
You want your friends to leave thinking, “I needed that.”
“The real theme should be gratitude – for the people who carried you through the year and continue to show up for you,” said Bonfiglio-Dietz.
Lay food out with intention
The layout of your food, beverages, and seating is everything. “Arrange your spread in an easily accessible area that flows naturally with the main social space, ideally at the end of your island counter, bridging the lounge and kitchen areas,” said Bonfiglio-Dietz, who likes to lay out food in a staggered arrangement, with a few items on a raised platform (like a Tupperware covered in cloth) and plates, utensils, and dips scattered nearby.
“I also prefer bowls in a neutral palette (creams, glass, or white), so the food becomes the focal point and the setup is more inviting,” said Bonfiglio-Dietz.
For us, we didn’t have a proper dinner table to do a tablescape so used a few coffee tables as a buffet table and it worked out great.
Don’t hold back on the food
It’s not Friendsgiving unless everyone leaves stuffed and bogged down with leftovers, and we had a ton of food. “
As someone who works in restaurants, this is where I may be biased—but you always want to overdo it on the food,” said Bonfiglio-Dietz.
Offer plenty of choices and variations that make sense together. “When your friends tell you that you outdid yourself, you can proudly agree that you did for them. And here’s a thoughtful touch: keep a stack of elevated takeout containers on hand so guests can bring home a little taste of the night,” said Bonfiglio-Dietz.
As for my own Friendsgiving dinner, here’s some of the highlights of what I had on my own menu:Popeyes Cajun-Style Turkey
The precipice for my Friendsgiving dinner was Popeyes generously offering to send me their annual (very popular) Cajun-Style Turkey. It couldn’t be easier. It arrives pre-seasoned and fully cooked, but totally frozen. Just let it thaw in the fridge for a few days then pop in the oven to reheat. The result is juicy and delicious. We supplemented our delicious turkey with an array of Popeyes sides we ordered via UberEats, such as mashed potatoes with Cajun gravy, biscuits, and mac and cheese. It was perfection.
ONEHOPE Thankful for You! Gold Shimmer Sparkling Wine
From ONEHOPE’s Shimmer Collection, this California Sparkling Brut is crisp and delicious, but it was also just a beautiful, shimmering touch that seemed perfect for the occasion.
Effie’s Homemade Biscuits
This biscuit sampler is great for a party, with options that include pecan, walnut, oatcakes, cocoa, and corn. We enjoyed them with hummus, and a grazing board of cheese and charcuterie early in the night and it was just as delicious later on with our dessert table.
Cedar’s Reserve Hommus
We had a veritable buffet of hummus from Cedar’s, from their new seasonal pumpkin variety, to the classics — it was the central focus of our pre-dinner grazing table.
Bob Evans Mashed Sweet Potatoes
We also stocked up on ton of refrigerated heat-and-enjoy sides from Bob Evans, such as their mashed sweet potatoes (perfect for the theme!), and the cheesy broccoli (a personal favorite of mine, that works great with the starchy sides familiar to the holiday and adds a bit of much needed veggie and color to the rather beige Thanksgiving plate.
Mezzetta Imported Spanish Queen Martini Olives
We had multiple jars of olives out at our Friendsgiving. We enjoyed this during our appetizer welcome grazing table, but it also was essential for any martinis anyone wanted!
Last Crumb Pie in the Sky Cookie Collection
The perfect finishing touch, a whole collection of pie-inspired cookies, delivered fresh and delicious to our door in time for the holiday. The set includes cookies such as: I’d Smash That (Pumpkin Pie), Stiffler’s Mom (Oatmeal Apple Pie), Donkey Kong (Banana Cream Pie), What The Velvet (Red Velvet), The Floor Is Lava (Chocolate Lava), and, of course, What’s Up Doc (Carrot Cake).