All Friends Thankschristmas
I was so excited, and admittedly a little worried, about hosting our second annual All Friends Thanksgiving right here in our very own one-bedroom apartment. Thankfully, our living area is one large open space, so we scootched out the furniture and arranged skinny ten-foot folding tables along the middle of the room for friends to dine banquet-style.
Josh (the blurry guy below) came over in the morning to help get things going in the kitchen. He made a turkey, I made a roast, and then we set to cleaning up the apartment when Kara (below with the fork in her mouth) came to give Josh a break and help me decorate the place. By the time we finished hanging green garland and holly wreaths, Josh decided we really ought to rename the event All Friends Thankschristmas.
After an emergency run to the convenience store for flavored creamer and twinkle lights, all we needed was a little festive music. We listened to my collection of Christmas records, and when Max arrived, we added some Bob Dylan to the mix. Just lovely, I’d say!
Just when the guests began to arrive, Allie and I were covering the tables with aisle runners (like the kind used in weddings) and kraft paper while Kara came behind us and painted cheery stars and greetings with gesso. We lit the tea lights, filled the food table, and enjoyed a casual night of enjoying good eats, drinks, and company.
It was so great to have so many friends in my apartment all at once, even though many people were unable to attend our Sunday evening soiree. In all, we had over 20 people in our home, and thankfully it wasn’t a huge burdon, because everyone pitched in and helped with cleaning up for a seamless transition from eating to playing. Thanks friends! Couldn’t have done it without you.
I’d like to give a special thanks to Josh, Kara, and Allie for helping Phil and I set up, to Brent (beardy man above) for doing so many dishes, and for Catherine and Max for staying late to clean, even though they had to drive back to Cleveland that night. OH! And let me not forget to thank Kyle for the wonderful gluten and dairy free sweet potato casserole and John Finley for the best cake I’ve eaten in my whole life. And I don’t even like cake.
Well, that about covers it! And I am officially zonked, but still so excited for the rest of the holiday season! Yippee!
Looks like a wonderful night with friends!
What a big undertaking! I think making dinner for just Matt and myself is a big deal. haha. You are a hostess icon. :D Everything looks beautiful and I’m so glad that everyone helped you to clean up. True friends!
XOXO
looks heavenly! nothing better than spending an evening over good food with great friends.
what a fun evening. even though there is stress i love hosting big dinner parties. we used to do a friends thanksgiving…but as time went on it dwindled away. sigh.
your thanksgiving looks so warm and peaceful and i love your polka dot top!
Steffys Pros and Cons
What a fun event!
So fun! We had our first “friendsgiving” this year, but there were just 4 of us. And planning for that was hard work! I can’t even imagine with 20 people! It sounds like you had a lovely group though!
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the kraft paper on the table is a great idea! sounds like a really fun time.
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Your friends look rad. I can’t wait to get my own place to have parties like this again. Glad you had a great time.x.
HAHA well that last picture is just adorable. Looks like it was a fabulous night!
-Leah
Superstition Vintage
That looks like so much fun. I love celebrating holidays with friends, they are as important as family too.
I love that you covered the tables in paper. What a fun and cute way to decorate! Looks like fun xo
Mandi, what I love about your friends is the fact that they remind me so much of MY friends (lots of beards, lots of beer). This looks like an absolute blast, and I love all the goofy faces your friends are making for the camera. :)
Oh, and one more (selfish) note — where oh where did your lovely couch pillows come from? I’m in the market for some, and yours look beautifully handmade. Etsy?
Tolly, the pillows seen here? Are those the ones you are talking about? The crewel floral one is vintage from Ety. The other one is from Urban Outfitters. Who knows, they may have them still?
that’s such a good idea!
looks like everybody had a great time!
This looked like such a cute and fun thanksgiving!
-andrea lynne rose
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