Erin Brereton, Author at 1800Flowers Petal Talk

What Is Friendsgiving?

Friendsgiving has become a widely recognized holiday over the past 10 years, particularly among the younger generation. Whether you’re trying to avoid the awkward family conversations at Thanksgiving or are unable to travel home for the holiday, Friendsgiving offers a warm embrace, with traditional and new holiday food and fun times with friends and “chosen” family.

It’s also a great kick-off to the holiday season, says Alexandra Shytsman, who wrote the book “Friendsgiving: Celebrate Your Family of Friends” and has hosted Friendsgiving festivities at her home in New York for 12 years.

What is Friendsgiving?

The first mention of “Friendsgiving” dates back to a tweet from 2007, but many credit the hit show “Friends” for the holiday’s origin. The holiday’s name, which had previously appeared on Merriam-Webster’s “Words We’re Watching” list, was bumped up to an official dictionary entry in January 2020.

“It’s become a pop culture thing in the last decade or so,” Shytsman says.

Approximately seven in 10 young Americans prefer Friendsgiving to Thanksgiving. This is due to a variety of reasons, not the least of which is being able to avoid fielding personal questions from family and not having to worry about offending a relative at the more traditional holiday gathering. Because the event is essentially a more casual version of Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving is a good way to gather friends, colleagues, or neighbors who are unable to go back home to their family or are wary to travel.

“The concept of a chosen family is something that’s really taken off, especially among communities of young people,” Shytsman says. “People get so excited about getting together with [folks] they don’t see a lot; maybe they want to do something more special with their friends than just going to a bar or ordering takeout. It gives people a good way to organize a holiday gathering.”

When to celebrate Friendsgiving

Although the weekend before Thanksgiving is a popular time to hold the event, some throw their festivities earlier or even later.

“I’ve been to Friendsgivings that are just in November, even if it’s after Thanksgiving or in the first part of the month,” Shytsman says. “It’s always a good idea [to plan ahead] because people travel and holiday calendars fill up quickly.”

The size of a Friendsgiving event is similar to that of Thanksgiving — as big or small as you want (the more the merrier, though, right?) — but the timing of the actual meal tends to be later, with some hosts opting to start serving in the evening at, say, 8 or 9 o’clock. A Friendsgiving brunch is also popular.

Organize the menu

Hosts can make the entire meal, but guests often contribute dishes at a Friendsgiving. One survey found 44% of invitees planned to bring a dish to a potluck-style Friendsgiving fête.

If you’re splitting the cooking responsibilities, coordinate the menu online, Shytsman suggests. “You can start a Google Sheet and send it to your friends,” she says. Encourage everyone to add the dish they’re bringing so you don’t end up with three Brussels sprout dishes and zero potatoes. The ability to see what everyone else is bringing may inspire others to think outside the box with their dish.

What food to make for Friendsgiving

“You’re more likely to have things like dips and crudité — appetizer-style eating,” she says. “If it’s a potluck situation, people who aren’t necessarily cooks might pick up something on the way, [like] a store-bought pie or maybe an order of their favorite buffalo wings from the bar down the street. It’s a little bit more of a hodgepodge of items, as opposed to having a set menu.

“You can also do something like an ice cream sundae bar, if you don’t want to eat more traditional desserts.”

In addition to homemade entrees and desserts, Friendsgiving celebrations can include prepared foods. If you do go that route, make sure to serve any premade meals in a nicer dish than the one it arrives in. Also, go the extra mile by adding garnish to the dish to give it some fresh notes and pretty details.

Even though Friendsgiving is a separate event, a lot of millennials — 44% of Americans age 18 to 38, to be exact — say they still expect traditional Thanksgiving fare to be served. Approximately 45% of young revelers want to see mashed potatoes on the table, and 39% would like to dive into some sweet potatoes. Turkey is the most desired Friendsgiving dish; however, more than half (53%) of people surveyed said they feel it’s also the most intimidating item to make, so don’t count on it being offered at every event.

Regardless of what you serve, instead of a more formal sit-down dinner, Shytsman says, food at a Friendsgiving gathering is typically served buffet-style on kitchen countertops or a coffee table.

Combining old and new traditions

Despite Friendsgiving being a relatively new holiday, many of its celebrants are interested in making parts of it a regular occurrence, with 77% of respondents saying they want to create new traditions that involve the event.

Giving thanks is one practice that can carry over from Thanksgiving to a friend-focused event.

“In my group, that’s something we always do,” Shytsman says. “People make toasts and talk about what they’re grateful for. I’ve also seen postcard-sized cards you can buy. Each person writes down what they’re grateful for, and it can be a cute memento people take home with them after the party.” Create a Friendsgiving-specific version by guessing what everyone is grateful for this year, and see who gets the most correct.

While watching football on TV is a standard pre- and post-meal activity on Thanksgiving, 58% of Americans say they enjoy Friendsgiving more than turkey day because it is a more social event. Keep the energy going at your celebration with new traditions, such as voting on the best dish of the night and awarding the chef a trophy (perhaps that final slice — or bar — of pecan pie).

“It’s great to think, ‘What can we do to keep the energy going?’ and have something planned,” Shytsman says. “Something like charades is always really fun and a good vintage way to engage people, as is any kind of card game.” If charades or card games are not your idea of a fun time, have friends bring over their favorite board game and try something new.

Shytsman has also hosted Friendsgivings that featured a theme, something, she says, you probably wouldn’t do with your family on Thanksgiving.

“There’s a little bit more room to improvise with the menu and just the whole structure of the event,” she says. “You can choose a certain decade [and] do an ’80s Friendsgiving. I’ve done a “Mad Men”-themed Friendsgiving. We all dressed up in that ’60s vibe; it was really fun.”

How to decorate for Friendsgiving

Without a plated table, the seating arrangements at Friendsgiving can be more casual, particularly if the host doesn’t have a formal dining room.

“You can definitely get creative about it,” Shytsman says. “Ask if one of your friends has a folding table, or pick one up. You can also ask people to bring their own folding chairs or pick up some floor poofs or pillows people can sit on.”

Lighting, such as candles or string lights, can also deliver ample ambiance.

Pick up a few mini pumpkins at your local farmers market and scatter them around, or decorate with seasonal or dried flowers. “It doesn’t have to be super fancy,” Shytsman says.

Décor, dishes, and other personal touches can add some panache to even the most casual Friendsgiving. Even without those extra elements, though, the main focus is gathering with the people you care about.

When Is Thanksgiving This Year?

A juicy and flavorful turkey. Countless sides. Endless sweet and savory pies. A full day and night of football. Spending the day with the people you love.

Thanksgiving is America’s favorite holiday, with a whopping 79% popularity rating. So, it’s no wonder you’re asking the question: When is Thanksgiving this year? If you’re like us, you just can’t wait for the day to arrive!

But before you begin looking up recipes, basting any birds, or making other seasonal preparations, check out our extensive handbook for the holiday, which answers your most pressing Thanksgiving-related questions.

When was the first Thanksgiving?

Based on a letter from a Plymouth, Massachusetts, colonist that mentions the Pilgrims celebrating their first robust corn and barley harvest, November 1621 is thought to be the holiday’s official start.

when is thanksgiving first thanksgiving — *The first Thanksgiving? Not quite.*

A few more fun facts about Thanksgiving:

While debate exists over whether the event involved a meal to acknowledge thankfulness, if the participants did, in fact, dine together, they could have had turkey; the colonist’s letter mentions hunting fowl.
During this time period, large feasts often included wild game. This was a popular autumnal dish in the Pilgrims’ homeland of England that was frequently served stuffed, according to author and food historian Sarah Wassberg Johnson, who runs the website The Food Historian. The British also traditionally paired game meats with sour fruit sauce and jelly garnishes, which means cranberries could have been served alongside the bird.
Although pumpkin pie likely wasn’t served at the 1621 event, pumpkin made its way into a number of dishes during the time period, including cornbread, soups, and desserts, such as custards and pies. This is due in part to the fact that pumpkins grew well in New England and could be kept for a long time in storage, Wassberg Johnson says.
Live exotic animals, such as tigers, bears, and elephants, were featured in the first three Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades between 1924 and 1926. The event’s iconic large balloons didn’t debut until 1927, when a nearly two-story-high Felix the Cat floated above the parade route on Thanksgiving Day.

Why is Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November?

President George Washington issued a public decree in 1789 for a day of thanksgiving, and in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November would be a national day of Thanksgiving.

We have the 32nd president of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, to thank for the holiday’s current calendar spot. In 1941, as the U.S. recovered from the Great Depression, the last Thursday of November fell on the final day of the month, Nov. 30. To elongate the Christmas shopping season, Roosevelt established the official Thanksgiving holiday date as the fourth Thursday in November.

Is Thanksgiving celebrated in other countries?

Nine other countries celebrate some form of Thanksgiving. Of those, three have events that are similar to the U.S. holiday.

Some features of Canada’s Thanksgiving and America’s are alike. Both, for instance, involve turkey. The Great White North’s celebration, though, is older, reportedly dating back to 1578. Its annual date also differs, taking place on the second Monday in October.

Liberia, a West African nation established by former slaves who came from America in 1847, celebrates Thanksgiving also in November but on the first Thursday of the month. The holiday is similar to the American version, with celebrations ranging from a lavish meal to simply taking the day off work.

Locals in Norfolk Island, a sparsely populated Australian territory in between Australia and New Zealand, reportedly picked up the Thanksgiving tradition after a U.S. trader held a holiday celebration at a church when visiting in the late 1800s. Islanders now serve a mix of dishes that include pork, chicken, and bananas on the last Wednesday of November. As in the U.S., residents finish their meal with pumpkin pie.

What is Friendsgiving?

Hosting a pre-holiday dinner for friends, often the weekend before Thanksgiving, is a new tradition called Friendsgiving. This unofficial holiday has seen its popularity rise in recent years, especially among millennials and other young adults.

Often involving a more casual meal than the one served on the actual holiday, Friendsgiving has no hard-and-fast rules. Whether you invite people over for light bites or a full meal, setting out an elegant — yet simple to assemble — charcuterie board, paired with several wines that are offered in a self-serve or tasting format, can be a festive start.

What day is Thanksgiving this year?

In 2024, Thanksgiving will be Thursday, Nov. 28. Next year, the holiday will be on Nov. 27, and in 2026, Thanksgiving will be celebrated on Nov. 26.

What are some traditional activities to do on Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is a day steeped in tradition. Participating in an organized road race in the morning (often called a “turkey trot”), watching parades and football, and going out in the community to help others are just a few of the activities we typically do on this day.

Other ways to celebrate Thanksgiving are by making crafts and DIY decor. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Thanksgiving crafts

Sunflower turkeys

Flower wreath

Potted plant turkey

Thanksgiving DIY decor ideas

Sunflower votive & wreath

Flower wreath centerpiece

Berry basket accents

Thanksgiving hosting ideas

Event planner Annemarie Schumacher, principal and owner of PR and event services company Schumacher Creative, who also blogs about home entertaining, recommends inviting guests at least one month beforehand to allow time to confirm how many will be attending.

“Based on the number of people you are hosting, pull together your menu and shopping list at least two weeks prior to turkey day,” Schumacher says. “This will help you avoid any last-minute omissions.”

At least a week before the event, check to make sure you have the necessary number of plates, chairs, utensils, and other items, she advises. If you are short, consider looking into leasing what you need.

“Utilizing rentals can be an essential but frequently overlooked part of Thanksgiving planning,” Schumacher says. “You can also rent linens, such as tablecloths and napkins, [and] silverware and glassware. It’s a great option that typically isn’t a huge investment and can be well worth the price.”

What are some popular Thanksgiving dishes?

Food is an essential part of Thanksgiving. The meal we sit down to on the fourth Thursday of November is one of the most beloved — and highly anticipated — of the year.

when is thanksgiving thanksgiving dinner

Traditional Thanksgiving foods include:

Turkey
Mashed potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Cranberry sauce
Green bean casserole
Stuffing
Gravy
Rolls

But it doesn’t end there. After the meal, get ready for the dessert course, which typically consists of a variety of pies, cakes, and pastries, including:

Pumpkin pie
Pecan pie
Apple pie
Sweet potato pie
Cheesecake
Cookies
Brownies

Above all, though, the purpose of Thanksgiving is right there in the name — to give thanks. And to help get you in that spirit, here are 79 quotes about gratitude.

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

5 Best Flowers to Start Cooking With Today

From floral-infused martinis to distinctive pastry creations, eatable flowers serve as a striking visual element in foods and beverages. Beyond appearances, they’re also a great way to add subtle — and unique — flavors to recipes.

In kombucha, for example, ice cubes made with butterfly pea and viola flower blooms will turn the drink pink and purple as they melt and the pH levels change. Antioxidants called anthocyanins, which give butterfly pea flowers their bluish color, change shades when exposed to acidic elements, such as kombucha.

Beautiful healthy salad with edible flowers with fresh lettuce,

These types of flowers can also be mixed in with breakfast foods, such as oatmeal or yogurt; dried or candied and used as cake décor; or folded into mousses and salads for additional taste and aesthetic appeal. That’s all according to Farmer Lee Jones, whose family farm in Huron, Ohio, The Chef’s Garden, has produced specialty items for the culinary community for nearly 30 years.

“Eatable flowers are ingredients that, in addition to offering flavor contributions of their own, evoke feelings of whimsy, joy, and natural life,” Jones says. “They are tools for storytelling and messaging.”

Not all flowers are safe to eat, though; some can be poisonous. To avoid accidentally purchasing ones that have been sprayed with pesticides or fungicides, it’s best to look for varieties that were specifically grown for consumption.

Because these particular flowers have distinct scents, tastes, and textures, Jones suggests experimenting with them on their own first.

“Like any other new ingredient, taste eatable flowers alone and in small quantities before trying them with other ingredients,” he says. “To truly appreciate their value, incorporate them into recipes and uses of your own.”

If you’re looking for some initial inspiration, the following five flowers are a great place to start.

Violas

Violas are a popular pick because, Jones says, they’re fairly recognizable flowers and are easy to blend into items such as teas, meringues — or an aviation cocktail; as he says, the flower’s taste is “an unsweetened, more delicate version” of the crème de violette liqueur used to make the drink. He says their slight yet undeniable aroma helps offer an “instant suggestion of delicate flavor.”

‘The natural sugars in the flowers result in a gentle sweetness that is well suited to the scent it accompanies,” he says.

Violas can work well, Jones says, in botanically based beverages that have a hint of herbs, such as mint, basil, or hyssop, or in drinks with floral notes, such as lavender or rose. Use them as an embellishment or steeped in syrups and teas to provide more significant flavor.

“Think pink lemonade, gin and tonics, and iced herbal teas,” he says. “Desserts, cocktails, lemonades, and myriad other dishes welcome violas with open arms.”

Florets

The tiny petals from this flower, which comes in white, deep purple, pink, lavender, and other hues, add color and a light, spicy vegetal flavor to salads and ice cream bases. They also infuse foods with aromas including rose, clove, winter spice, and incense.

Like violas, florets pair well with ingredients like cucumbers and cucumber blooms in drinks — just don’t use too many, Jones advises.

“While an entire viola is easily consumed and delicious, a floret, when served whole, can be entirely overpowering,” he says. “We recommend dispersing the petals into the beverage.

“A great way to extract the flavor of florets is to steep them, hot or cold, into pre-batched drinks like lemonade or cocktails before straining out the petals, if desired.”

Dianthus

With a fairly neutral flavor profile, dianthus blooms are used to add visual flair to foods and beverages.

Jones suggests placing the flower’s thin, dainty petals stem side up in consommé, for instance, or another liquid-based dish to emulate swans on a lake, or leveraging them to insert wisps of color into desserts and drinks.

“The petals can be used in or on the frosting for cakes and small baked goods, pressed into shortbread cookies, and dried with other flowers to make eatable confetti,” he says. “So long as the underlying flavors of the beverage are herbaceous and/or floral and pair well with the unpresuming flavor of dianthus, there is no wrong answer.”

Citrus begonias

This tart floral ingredient, Jones contends, can be incorporated anywhere you would add a squeeze of lemon, such as sushi, grilled vegetables, or carpaccio.

“Citrus begonias offer a brightly colored addition of acid,” he says. “Their minimal aroma and sour profile make them incredibly food friendly.”

The festive pink flowers are a good fit for sour drinks and others as well. A chilled pilsner beer, for instance, can be poured over a tea made from begonias and then garnished with a begonia bloom to create a unique drink.

“They also bring moments of refreshment and relief to sweet beverages,” Jones says. “When brewing teas that do well with a squeeze of lemon, consider adding begonia petals.”

Egyptian starflowers

Like dianthus blooms, Egyptian starflowers offer a mild flavor and minimal floral aroma, Jones says. Due to its neutral nature, this versatile flower is used as a garnish in both botanical and floral beverages — such as sparkling hibiscus and raspberry lemonade — and can be incorporated into food items ranging from crepes to whipped feta crostini.

“The intricate petal structure allows you to easily add a bit of finesse and visual intrigue to a dish,” Jones says. “Because they offer little of their own flavor contribution but incredible visual appeal, these tiny flowers are best used as eatable art. Petit fours, cocktail presentations, and hors d’oeuvres are all excellent places to use Egyptian starflowers.”

Coping With the Loss of Dad on Father’s Day

Father’s Day can be an emotionally charged holiday if you’ve recently lost your dad.

Even if your father died some time ago, various life circumstances can make the day difficult, according to Florida-based clinical psychologist Dr. Chloe Carmichael, a member of 1-800-Flowers.com’s Connectivity Council and author of “Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of your Anxiety.”

“For example, if you had a rough year and it would be a great time to lean on your dad and get his advice, or maybe you had a kid, it can stir up that need for him,” Carmichael says. “You might feel that absence differently in different years. That is completely normal and expected.”

If, due to a recent or more prolonged loss, you’re not quite sure how to approach Father’s Day this year, these eight suggestions can help you cope with your grief — and also celebrate your father’s memory.

1. Do something your dad loved

If you plan to engage in an activity you and your father often enjoyed together — like, say, playing golf at his favorite course — you may, Carmichael says, want to invite someone to join you or plan an event afterward, such as lunch with a sibling. That way, you have some support if the day triggers sad feelings.

“It could be bittersweet,” she says. “The benefit of at least being aware of those feelings is then we can address them.”

2. Utilize mementos

Putting a photo of your father or other memorable items on display during Father’s Day weekend can serve as a reminder of your time together — and ensure he’s included in the holiday, Carmichael says.

“Sometimes seeing his face and having a way to recognize him can feel soothing,” she says. “[It’s a] a small behavioral way of marking that memory.”

3. Be grateful for parental guidance

Dr. George Everly, a professor in the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, says viewing the loss of his father more than a decade ago as a milestone in life’s overall journey — a mindset his father imparted on him — has helped him focus on the positive aspects of their relationship.

“I miss him every day,” Everly says. “What I do when I find myself going down that rabbit hole is quickly shift and think of all the things he brought into my life rather than all the things I should have said or done. Within a heartbeat, my mood changes.”

“Celebrate the time you had together rather than mourning the time you won’t have.”
Dr. George Everly, psychologist and professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Sometimes, Carmichael says, Father’s Day-related feelings of loss can be rooted in a yearning for the sense of protection or wisdom a father brings — which writing down, or even just mentally listing, a few things you learned from your dad can help you recapture.

4. Honor your dad through service

Volunteering for a cause your father cared about, or even one that just matters to you, can shift the day’s emphasis from what you’ve lost to contributing something positive.

“You can be doing it directly in memory of your dad, to carry out work that mattered to him — or just to keep your own grief and pain in perspective and stay focused on the community around you,” Carmichael says.

5. Reminisce with family

Organizing a group gathering can help stave off feelings of loneliness if you can’t spend Father’s Day with your dad.

A video call, where everyone shares a memory or story, could be cathartic if people can’t physically get together, Carmichael suggests.

“In some cases, it feels better to grieve with other people,” she says. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be sad; it can be with laughter and positivity.”

6. Acknowledge other father figures

Instead of concentrating on your father’s absence, consider using Father’s Day as an opportunity to thank a male family member or other acquaintance for being a source of support.

“Telling them you’d like to spend some time with them around the holiday — or even just mailing a card that says ‘I appreciate you being in my life’ — is going to be seen as a compliment,” Carmichael says. “And it can help you remember that, although your father is gone, there are other fatherly people around you.”

7. Express your emotions — or go offline

Posting a commemorative message on social media could make you feel supported, Carmichael says, if friends and followers comment on what you’ve shared.

If, however, seeing the deluge of other Father’s Day posts would be a painful reminder of your loss, staying off social media might be a good idea.

“There’s a potential landmine there,” Everly says. “People will be posting these marvelous pictures of their father and saying, ‘We’re having a great day with Dad.’ If your dad passed away, [you’ll be] seeing that and saying, ‘I don’t have a dad to do that with.'”

8. Make other plans

If, ultimately, you think Father’s Day may be completely overwhelming, planning a trip out of town or another unrelated activity is fine, Everly says.

“A lot of times [people] anticipate it will be a problem and either embrace it or do the opposite, and do something that takes their mind off it. Either one is OK,” he says. “There’s been a myth in psychology for over 100 years that says you’ve got to experience the pain. You don’t.”

As Father’s Day approaches, you may not be able to completely avoid feelings of loss. You can, however, focus on what you’re able to control — including your reaction to those feelings.

“Sometimes the healing process can be accelerated by having a talk with yourself,” Everly says. “Celebrate the time you had together rather than mourning the time you won’t have.”

Chairwoman of the Board: Q&A With That Charcuterie Chick

Since December 2019, Olivia Carney — also known as That Charcuterie Chick — has been sharing mouthwatering displays of cured meats, rich cheeses, and other flavorful foods on Instagram. In fall 2022, the north New Jersey-based social media influencer’s first book, The Art of the Board, hit shelves, offering dozens of board ideas ranging from a dinner-themed Taco Tuesday display to one fashioned from Thanksgiving leftovers.

We spoke with Carney about her passion for creating captivating meat-and-cheese presentations, some of her favorite items to include on boards, and other elements that can help turn any gathering into a next-level event.

What led you to specialize in creative charcuterie boards?

Charcuterie chick holding her cookbook close to her face and smiling. — Olivia Carney, practicing the art of peek-a-book.

It stems from my childhood and special times I spent with my family growing up. It was always a staple of Friday nights in our home — before we’d either head out to dinner or do stuff with our friends, we would throw some crackers and cheese on a board and just laugh and enjoy ourselves.

As I’ve gotten older, I started seeing some incredibly artistic boards featured online, like heavily thematic holiday boards and abundant, self-serve grazing tables, and I was so inspired to share some of my own — and experiences my family and I have shared over the years. That’s how That Charcuterie Chick was born.

What did writing The Art of the Board involve?

It was about a year-and-a-half process. I cared so deeply about making sure this book not only provided innovative and artistically stimulating recipes but also ones that felt approachable to people who don’t have all the time in the world.

It’s 75 seasonally inspired snack boards, and it also has recipes and cocktails; it’s really everything you need for stress-free entertaining year-round.

What specific types of boards are featured in it?

I have an amazing board called the Harry & David Gift Basket Board that is based off their Grand Signature Gift Basket. It’s always so wonderful to receive these beautiful gift baskets, full of crackers and cheeses and charcuterie. I tell you how to build a perfect board from just what is in the basket, step by step — how to take the different jams and relishes, the cheese, and create this beautiful piece of food art.

What is your favorite holiday, and what board would you serve for it?

I love Halloween, and one of my absolute favorite boards in the book is Halloween inspired. For that board, I hand-carved a skull into a round of brie cheese. Then, I took tiny eyeball candies and put them in the olives. I also candied some blueberries and put them in a small witches cauldron to make it look bubbly. The holidays create the perfect opportunity to get creative and try something new with boards.

A charcuterie chick board with Halloween themed meats, cheeses and other snacks. — Boo-yah! How’s that for a Halloween charcuterie board?

Are there any unique international elements you like to include on boards?

One type of charcuterie I use fairly often is soppressata, a very fatty, dry cured pork salami of Italian origin. It’s super flavorful and very delicious, almost decadent.

One that is underappreciated, at least here in the States, is jamón Ibérico. I tried it when I was visiting Barcelona with my sister a few years back, and it was incredible. It comes from farm-raised pigs in Spain, and it’s unique to that region.

For something that’s palatable to a large audience, I love Parmigiano Reggiano. It’s aged for such a long time that it starts to form these protein crystals that add an extra special crunch.

“Consumers are more interested in authenticity and originality than the idolized perfectionism of the past.”
Olivia Carney, That Charcuterie Chick

In addition to putting out a sensational charcuterie board, how can people successfully entertain guests at a dinner party or during the holidays?

If you’re hosting people and you’re creating this beautiful spread, bring in other elements to create an environment that feels really exciting and immersive. Think about other things that might add a special touch, outside of what you’re serving as food.

For example, people will appreciate a specialty cocktail crafted specifically for that holiday or your theme. In my book, I have a smoked rosemary and Riviera pear bourbon spritzer, using Harry & David Royal Riviera pears, which is really fun. It’s really simple; you just make a pear simple syrup and then add some bourbon and ginger ale.

Cured meats have been around since the 15th century. Will we ever get bored of displaying them on boards?

Charcuterie Chick holding open her cookbook. — Reading this book is a window on to the world of charcuterie boards.

We can if we don’t introduce ourselves to new flavors or change things up a bit. But if you incorporate interesting foods — [such as] Roquefort, a French blue cheese that’s incredibly decadent and pungent, in the best way — they will continue to be really special and an awesome way of serving food. It’s about thinking, “How can I introduce myself to new textures, flavors, international foods?” That creates this really cool experience for your guests.

What advice would you give people who hope to build a brand like That Charcuterie Chick?

The strategy behind creating a beautiful aesthetic varies across social media platforms. Instagram is very aspirational. The content you find on there is more sophisticated and purposeful. I talk a little bit in the book about finding your natural light and arranging your food to tell a story. What’s important with food photography is making sure it feels natural and not overly processed looking and edited, because food is beautiful on its own.

Social media has changed so much over the past couple of years. Consumers are more interested in authenticity and originality than the idolized perfectionism of the past. It’s so important for you to just be who you are and share what you’re good at, and if people find value in that, or find that relatable, they will want to be a part of that. Gone are the days when we look at this perfect representation of what your day might look like or what your food might look like, because that’s not really achievable. Show your authentic self, and people will gravitate to that.

How to Be a Great Dinner Guest

Dinner parties may look different today than they did a long time ago, with fewer guests in gloves and footmen bringing dishes to the table. However, the basic behavior to which attendees are expected to adhere remains unchanged.

“Years ago, you’d drive up in a horse and carriage; now you drive up in an Uber. Life changes, but courtesy remains the same,” says Diane Gottsman, author of Modern Etiquette for a Better Life and founder of The Protocol School of Texas.

General dinner guest etiquette guidelines still apply, and should be simple to follow:

Don’t bring a friend unannounced.
Put the phone away.
Thank the host as you leave.

If you’re concerned, however, that your dinner party skills are a bit rusty, we’ve got a brief yet thorough primer on how you can be the best possible dinner guest, from when to RSVP to knowing when to leave.

You do want to be invited back, right?

14 rules of dinner guest etiquette

When should I RSVP?

Don’t leave the host waiting too long for a head count. When you receive an invitation, check your availability and RSVP within a week, Gottsman says.

“Oftentimes, [the invitation] will give you a deadline,” she says. “Sooner is always better.”

You certainly have five or 10 minutes that you can run late, but you don’t have 15 or 20 — and you never arrive early.

Diane Gottsman

Etiquette expert

What should I wear?

Yes, there is a time and place for you to rock that Hawaiian shirt, but if the invite doesn’t specify what type of attire you should wear, ask the host about the dress code.

“That’s a perfectly normal question,” Gottsman says, “because they might say, ‘Listen, come casual; I’m going to be coming from Pilates class, so I’ll be in my workout clothes.'”

For cocktail attire, a shorter elegant dress should suffice; men can safely don a dark suit or sport coat and tie. Smart casual can mean a knee-length or longer skirt and heels for women, and slacks with a collared shirt for men. A dressy casual event can translate to nice pants or a skirt for women, and trousers and a dress shirt for men, possibly worn with a blazer or sports coat. Pocket squares are optional.

Does anyone still host formal soirees at their homes anymore? If so, dust off your tuxedo, fellas. Ladies, fancy attire for you means a long dress or slacks, preferably in a lush fabric, such as velvet, chiffon, or silk.

Should I mention any allergies or dietary restrictions?

Absolutely! “You can say, ‘I just want to remind you I have a nut allergy. May I bring a dish I can share with everyone? I don’t want to put you out,'” Gottsman says. “The host will probably say, ‘I’m going to make something special for you.’ Or they may say, ‘Absolutely, please do!'” Great hosts are very accommodating.

Can I bring a dish?

Sure, just let the host know ahead of time that’d you’d like to bring a dessert or other item — but find out if it’d be OK, Gottsman says.

“The host has prepared a very specific menu,” she says. “You don’t ever want to just show up with a dish with the expectation they’re going to serve it.”

dinner guest etiquette with guest bringing wine and flowers

What should I bring for the host: Wine? A gift? Both? Something else?

Gottsman is a proponent of bringing a hostess gift as a thank you. This can be anything the person will enjoy, ranging from gourmet cake mix to a useful set of linen or paper cocktail napkins.

“If you don’t know them well, just bring a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates,” she says. “If it’s a large gathering, put your name on it, because there are different gifts, and hosts don’t know who to send a thank you to.”

When should I arrive?

“You certainly have five or 10 minutes that you can run late, but you don’t have 15 or 20 — and you never arrive early,” Gottsman says.

While being on time to a dinner party is always advisable, the host may be busy attending to last-minute details in the moments beforehand, so try not to show up early — something a survey conducted by Joybird found hosts view as one of the worst guest faux pas.

“Stop at a store, park in a parking lot; don’t show up and sit in front of the house because that still puts pressure on the host,” Gottsman says.

Can I use my phone at the party?

Avoid interacting with your phone. Keep it out of sight and turn on the do not disturb setting, if possible.

“Parents will say, ‘My babysitter may be calling,'” Gottsman says. “If you have to have it near you, it needs to be off the table, on your lap, on vibrate. We don’t want to see the phone. It’s distracting, and you’re not going to be texting or taking calls unless it’s an emergency.”

Should I let the host start conversations?

Coming to a dinner party equipped with conversation fodder can facilitate interactions with other guests.

“Part of the duty of a good guest is to appear engaged and interested,” Gottsman says. “Make sure you’re asking questions, listening to conversations; think about travel, movies, pets. There are a multitude of topics you can bring up.”

Can I eat as much as I want?

If guests are told to serve themselves during the meal, Gottsman says you are free to help yourself to a second portion after everybody has had their first.

“But don’t go back for thirds,” she says. “You don’t want to appear to be a glutton.”

dinner guest etiquette with friends eating appetizers

What if I don’t like the meal?

If, conversely, you’re not crazy about the food, just eat what you can and act positive if asked about it.

“If people say, ‘You didn’t eat that much,’ you don’t have to say, ‘I don’t like it,'” Gottsman says. “Say, ‘Oh gosh, it was such generous portions I couldn’t finish it, but it was delicious.'”

Who cleans up?

After the meal, offering to help clear the table is a thoughtful move.

“If they say, ‘No, no, please have a seat, I’m going to do this myself,’ let them,” Gottsman says. “Maybe they don’t want you to go into the kitchen; they want to handle their china themselves. You have to follow the lead of the host and respect whatever their response is.”

When should I leave?

Learn to read the room, Gottsman says.

“The best time to leave is before everybody starts to,” she says. “After dessert, wait a few minutes; you’ll know when the party is winding down. You never want to be the last one walking out the door.”

How can I thank the host afterward?

An ad for the Celebrations Passport membership program

Sending a note thanking the host for a great dinner is a nice gesture.

“Nothing is as thoughtful as a handwritten note,” Gottsman says. “You can even give them a call — and you can do both, if you’d like.”

Are there different rules depending on your relationship to the host?

If the host is a good friend, reaching out the next day informally via text may be fine. Although it’s often easy to take a more casual approach with family, consider calling relatives after a dinner party to thank them for having you over.

“We tend to be less polite to our family members, and we should treat our family as nicely as we would our best client,” Gottsman says. “You want to follow up the next day and let them know how special it was to spend time with them.”

What if I make a faux pas?

In addition to tossing out any gum you might be chewing before entering the party, Gottsman recommends trying to make the host’s evening a bit less stressful by being social.

“Don’t monopolize the host’s time, because they have a lot to do,” she says. “Make sure you’re talking to all guests, not just the people you know. Make it a point to introduce yourself to people you haven’t met because it makes the host feel comfortable. The host is always worried people aren’t having fun.”

The Surprising Story Behind Easter Food Traditions

“Celebration Inspiration” is all about bringing you top-notch advice and creative ideas to make the most of life’s special moments. This article explores Easter food traditions, from ham and lamb to eggs and chocolate bunnies.

Today’s Easter food, with its filling fare ranging from rabbit-shaped coconut cake to two meaty main course options, can be indulgent dining experiences.

Ironically enough, though, fasting — something many Christians did routinely during the 40-day period leading up to the holiday — may have helped shape what’s included on modern Easter menus.

Centuries ago, enjoying lots of rich foods was essentially the reward for austerely eating simple, light fare for weeks before Easter Sunday, according to author and food historian Sarah Wassberg Johnson, who launched the aptly named culinary research-focused website The Food Historian.

“In the medieval Catholic calendar, where a lot of these religious [and] food traditions come from, there were many fast days,” Wassberg Johnson says. “Easter, particularly coming out of Lent, was associated with some sort of feasting; food has always been an integral part of the celebration.”

Read on to learn how some common Easter foods became part of the holiday’s classic cuisine lineup.

Ham and lamb

In northern and other frigid climates, where residents had to preserve enough food to last through the winter, fasting was somewhat necessary to ensure people had sufficient nourishment during the cold months, Wassberg Johnson says. By spring, however, people were ready to enjoy some of the high-end cuts they’d tucked away, such as ham.

A photo of Easter food with a spiraled ham on a wooden cutting board with a pile of cooked beans and carrots next to it.

“Having a celebratory feast in April was a way to put a period on that time of fasting,” Wassberg Johnson says. “You can eat up the rest of your preserved meat because you’re going into the season when you’ll have access to fresh fish with the spring fish runs, the baby animals are going to start to mature, and you’ll have more meat than you did over the winter.”

One of those meats is lamb. The time of year when sheep are commonly born, called lambing season, occurs before Easter — “usually February-ish,” Wassberg Johnson says — which helps make lamb a frequently served dish on the holiday.

There’s also the religious connection to Jesus being the shepherd and the lamb of God. “One of the reasons why people today still choose lamb is not only because it was readily available in many countries in the spring as an early meat, but also because there’s that symbolism,” Wassberg Johnson says.

Easter bread and hot cross buns

Seasonality, Wassberg Johnson says, also factors into the items that often accompany Easter entrees, such as roasted or glazed carrots and asparagus, which tend to sprout in spring.

A number of European countries, such as Germany, France, and Poland serve sweet breads for dessert, she says, and possibly as a side dish or for breakfast on Easter. These are traditionally made with dried fruits and nuts.

A photo of Easter food with a spread of brunch food like ham, coffee cake, English muffins, and quiche with several bouquets of spring flowers.

“In the more modern period, you see chocolate in some,” Wassberg Johnson says. “They’re sweetened either with honey, historically, or with sugar.”

In addition to the loaves consumed, rounded rolls with a cross marked on top can be found in the United Kingdom.

“Hot cross buns are the British version of Easter bread,” Wassberg Johnson says. “It’s an egg-enriched dough; it’s very buttery. The cross apparently is in honor of Good Friday [the day Christians generally observe Christ’s crucifixion].”

Easter eggs

As people increasingly converted to Christianity over the years, some aspects of other religions — such as the pagan spring equinox, which marks nature’s annual renewal on or around March 20 every year — were folded into Christian holiday celebrations.

For instance, the tradition of dyeing hard-boiled eggs before Easter — a long tradition particularly in Eastern Europe and one that may date back to the Roman Empire — is, by some accounts, inspired by a folklore tale. The story goes that Ostara, the ancient Germanic goddess of spring, transformed a bird into a hare — yet it still was able to produce colored eggs for the yearly Eastertime festival.

Today, eggs are available year-round, but, historically, chickens didn’t lay many eggs in the winter, Wassberg Johnson says, but would start again in the spring.

Chocolate and other sweets

A photo of Easter food with a chocolate bunny resting against an Easter basket full of Easter cookies, fruit and candy.

Americans buy more candy for Easter than any other holiday, and nearly half say egg- or rabbit-shaped chocolates are their favorite Easter treats.

Today’s foil-wrapped eggs, bunny-shaped chocolates, and other coveted confections can be traced back to the 1800s, when manufacturers began to shape chocolate similarly to how they’d sculpted sugar the century before, according to Beth Kimmerle, food industry consultant and author of Candy: The Sweet History.

“Candy is like glass; you can do a lot of different things with it because of the crystallization, but chocolate took a little bit longer [to figure out],” Kimmerle says. “In the Industrial Revolution, people found ways to mold it by machine, using metal molds.”

The baskets used to contain Easter candy are likely a holdover from the days when baskets were used to transport food before canvas and plastic bags became the norm, according to Kimmerle. She also says the plastic grass inside the baskets is a nod to nature’s annual rebirth, since blades typically begin to emerge from the ground after winter.

Today, people may forgo a typical woven basket for more inventive options, such as a felt personalized version or a reusable floppy-eared bunny tote bag, and candy is far from the only possible inclusion.

Some Easter food aficionados prefer to gift a sweet-and-savory mix of artisan cheeses, fresh fruit, and rich chocolate, or an assortment of baked goods. Floral items, such as an Easter lily, potted tulip, or other plants, are also popular holiday presents.

Whether you plan on celebrating this Easter by giving a basket filled with candy or other items, or sitting down to a robust rack of lamb dinner, you can be sure of one thing: You are not alone in wanting to partake in the established, nostalgic traditions of this beloved holiday.

“People are ready to celebrate,” she says. “Between ice storms and weird weather, this has been a crazy winter for a lot of people. The timing is right for Easter.

“People are just going to be like, ‘Bring on the chocolate bunnies!'”