Vive La Friendsgiving

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: “Thanksgiving is like my favorite time of year! The food is so good, and I love that I get an excuse to get my friends and family together around the table! I just wish it happened more than once a year.”

It’s a shame.

But ever since the 1928 Treatise of Cranberry, organizing a get-together like Thanksgiving, with its mouthwatering mains and incomparable communion, more than once a year has been illegal and punishable by death.

The only problem is that’s not a thing, and you’re free to cook and host any time you damn well please. It’s called Friendsgiving, sweetie. Look it up.

Why not this summer?

There’s no better time of year to whip up a little holiday-inspired cheer than the heat of summer, when the sun is high, the kids are off, and the long nights are just begging to be enjoyed—and it’s easier than you’d think. Here’s how to do it right:

1. Start with the space.

This comes as no surprise, we’re sure, but as the “host” it’s up to you to find someplace to “host” the thing. If it’s your home, then the hard part’s done and you can move on to Step 2. But don’t rule out other spaces, too—a local park or picnic area may lend itself to an unconventional get-together (as well as providing some amenities of its own).

2. Stop. Turkey time.

The bird makes Thanksgiving worth giving thanks for, but that doesn’t mean you’ve got to prep your old-fashioned Thanksgiving bird. Now’s your chance to set the mood for the occasion (and the theme while you’re at it). If you’re not sure where to start, just check out our turkey recipes and see what happens—we promise you won’t regret it.

3. Your work here is done.

But seriously, do you need to do everything? Lean on your guests to do a little bit of the legwork. Let them know what kind of cuisine you’re planning for the pièce de résistance (that’s French for “turkey”) and ask them to bring a complementary side or side dishes. In no time, you’ll have a fully-stocked, fully-delicious table.

4. A little planning goes a long way.

I know, I know—“You said my work here was done!”—but these are the things that’ll turn your party up to 11 (and remember to check noise ordinances if you did decide to go the public park route). Depending on your theme, you may want to plan some simple decorations, maybe a dope-ass playlist or two. And did somebody say PA system? Nobody’s expecting them, but didn’t your parents always say to exceed expectations?

5. Just one last thing.

It’s time to order the turkey. You can’t go wrong with any of our whole birds, but you’ll always go very, very right. That’s it!

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! SHARE YOUR TURKEY STORIES, TIPS & TRICKS.

Throw it on Instagram and tag @diestelfamilyranch. We’d love to see what you’ve got.