Friendsgiving this Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving I will be participating in my very first 'Friendsgiving'! I am really excited! Basically - how I know it to be defined - a 'Friendsgiving' is a community style Thanksgiving for those who are not traveling to be with family or simply not able to be (and for those who do not have family at all).

So, rather then be alone, friends gather for a potluck style holiday meal.  I love this! I've honestly wanted to do this since college and I never have.

I think the key is inviting an eclectic group of folks - close friends, new neighbors, strangers and even include a few of the homeless in your area. This creates vast diversity. With cultures colliding,  this natural educational environment emerges for everyone to learn - grow - and get inspired by one another.

Rather then place specifics on the menu, allow everyone to be creative under the umbrella of 'Organic - Whole Foods - from the Garden'. This is an example of a theme but you can create your own theme! I love the idea of themed meals without specifics as this leads to people's culinary skills to 'crop up' (sorry, had to throw a pun).  Fun stuff.

Lastly, consider a location where nature comes into the fold. Hosting in a backyard with heat lamps & big blankets to cover your shoulders with sounds amazing to me. Creating ambiance can take an otherwise mundane experience and make it into a magical one.

Whatever you are doing this holiday season, consider including people that you ordinarily would not include. People desire to be included - to be loved. People long to experience community.  So, invite them in and love on them!