Published: Nov. 9, 2023

Thanksgiving food

Friendsgiving has become a popular way to celebrate with friends around Thanksgiving. Whether you are planning a celebration before you leave for fall break or as an alternative to spending time with family, Friendsgiving can be a time to connect, enjoy delicious food and have fun.  

Here are some tips to help you make the most of any celebration. 

Celebrate with others 

Sharing a meal and celebrating with friends is a great way to strengthen your friendships and get to know people better. You can learn about new cultures and traditions and honor different ways of celebrating holidays by creating a warm and inclusive atmosphere. 

Fall break can also feel lonely for some students who may be staying in Boulder or won’t have family around. Planning a Friendsgiving meal can create a sense of community, comfort and connection.  

Ways to celebrate 

Recreating Thanksgiving favorites from home can be fun, but you don’t have to stick with a traditional feast. You can get creative with themes, foods and activities for you and your friends to enjoy. This year, think outside the box. For example, you can create an event tied to a favorite movie where everyone dresses up and plays movie trivia. Or you can ask people to dress in their favorite sports team attire and serve tailgating classics. The possibilities are endless! 

Whether you go the traditional route or choose a different option, here are a few tips to help you pull off a fun celebration. 

  • Choose a location. If you live in a residence hall, you can use a community space or gather in your room, depending on the number of people you plan to have over. If you live off campus, you may have more room to host a meal. Just make sure to check with your roommates before inviting everyone over. Remember that you don’t need a dining room or a large table for a meaningful meal. Ask your friends if they can bring a seat or have everyone sit on the floor. The point is that you have a place to gather and enjoy each other’s company. 
  • Make it a potluck. Food can get expensive. Splitting the responsibilities (and the costs) can make it less stressful and more affordable for everyone. Ask your friends to bring something to share. You can even create a signup list with appetizers, main dishes, sides, salad, bread, dessert and beverages. Don’t forget to make an effort to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences so everyone feels included. 
  • Add an activity. Think about ways to add fun to the party. If you choose a theme night, you can tie the activity to the theme, like watching a movie or making a craft. You can also keep with the theme of thanks and have everyone write down something they are thankful for and share it with the group. 

Menu ideas 

You can stick with traditional Thanksgiving menu items or ask guests to bring their favorite dish representing their traditions. Cooking a turkey can be a lot of work and stress, especially if you don’t have a standard oven and roasting pan. If you want an easier option, consider purchasing a rotisserie chicken or preparing boneless turkey breasts. 

You can also buy sides that you can heat in a microwave or require no cooking, like premade mashed potatoes, bagged salad, canned or frozen vegetables, premade rolls, cranberry sauce, jarred gravy and premade desserts. Many grocery stores also offer prepared foods in the deli section. 

Here are a few simple recipes to try if you want to cook. 

Mashed potatoes 

Plan to make two pounds of potatoes for every four people. This recipe serves four and is easy to double or triple. 

Ingredients: 

  • 2 pounds potatoes 
  • ¼ cup butter (½ a stick) 
  • ½ cup milk 
  • Salt 
  • Pepper 

Directions: 

  • Wash, peel and cut the potatoes into one-inch pieces. 
  • Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. 
  • Boil the potatoes on high heat for about 20 minutes until a fork can easily pierce the center.  
  • Drain the potatoes and return to the pot. Add butter and allow to melt in the warm potatoes.  
  • Mash the potatoes using a fork, potato masher or hand mixer. Slowly add milk as you mash the potatoes.  
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.

Roasted vegetables 

Roasted vegetables are easy to make and can feed a crowd relatively affordably. This recipe works for brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, broccoli, carrots and other seasonal vegetables. 

Ingredients: 

  • 2 pounds vegetables 
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or other high-temperature cooking oil) 
  • Salt 
  • Pepper 
  • Other seasoning as preferred, like garlic and dried herbs 

Directions: 

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 
  • Choose one or more vegetables. Wash, peel if needed and cut into 1-inch pieces. 
  • Toss the vegetables in a bowl with oil and salt and pepper to taste (add other seasonings if using). 
  • Spread evenly on a sheet pan and cook in the oven until tender, typically around 45 minutes.

Holiday salad 

This special occasion salad can feel a little pricey for all the ingredients. You can skip any ingredients outside your budget and tailor them to fit your tastes. You can use only one dressing or make a homemade version to save money. 

Ingredients: 

  • 1 head of chopped romaine lettuce 
  • 1 pear peeled and diced 
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries 
  • ¼ cup chopped pecans 
  • ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon or a vegan bacon substitute, like tempeh bacon 
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese or for a vegan option, substitute with olives 
  • ¼ cup poppy seed dressing (optional) 
  • ¼ cup balsamic dressing (optional) 

Directions: 

  • Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and toss.

Sweet potato biscuits 

This crowd-pleaser requires a little extra time to cook the sweet potatoes, but the results are worth the effort. 

Ingredients: 

  • ¾ cup cooked, peeled and mashed sweet potatoes 
  • 1/3 cup whole milk 
  • 4 tablespoons melted butter 
  • 1 ¼ cup flour 
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder 
  • 1 teaspoon sugar 
  • ½ teaspoons salt 

Directions: 

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 
  • Mix the wet ingredients in a bowl (mashed sweet potatoes, milk and butter). 
  • Mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl (flour, baking powder, sugar and salt). 
  • Combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix well. 
  • Scoop ¼ cup portions of the dough onto a sheet pan, leaving two inches between each biscuit. 
  • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

Resources

CU Boulder offers resources to support students.

Campus Dining Services registered dietitian nutritionist
Schedule an individual consultation with Campus Dining Services registered dietitian nutritionist to discuss topics like food allergies and intolerances, vegetarian and vegan diets, weight management, modified diets and more. Email Lisa Whalen, RDN, at dining@colorado.edu to ask questions or schedule a consultation. 

Basic Needs Center
The Basic Needs Center provides resources for students experiencing food insecurity. Students can access the Buff Pantry once per week and choose grocery items for free. The Basic Needs Center can also directly enroll students in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP provides nutrition benefits for qualifying families and individuals to support their food budget.

Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)
If you’re struggling over break or feel homesick, Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) is open to all students. They are available for a variety of mental health services over break, including crisis support, virtual hours and more.

Wardenburg Health Center Nutrition Services
The registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) at Nutrition Services in Wardenburg Health Center can help students with a variety of concerns, from mindful eating to digestive disorders and gut health. Their team also provides free nutrition consultations at the Nutrition Resource Clinic.