how to host a party

We had such a spectacular time at our Friendsgiving. I love our tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving with our NYC family of friends. It is one of my favorite days of the year. My friends and I were laughing that I like it so much because I get to use all my skills for a night with all of my favorite people. Here's how we pulled it all off...
A week before: confirm guest list, set the menu, order groceries.

A few nights before: move furniture to the optimal positions (in this case we swap the coffee table from the living room with the club chair from the bedroom). Also: Hang pretty cafe lights. You guys know I love these. I ordered a few boxes of this kind from Target (pretty good price!).

Two days before: Book a last minute hair cut and impulsively decide to chop eight inches.

Voila! The new Katie!

(Still so awkward at selfies.)
The day before: make one thousand deviled eggs and the cranberry sauce (not pictured), dry brine the turkey, set out platters, and write fun camera game on note card.

Thanksgiving night (remember, we do Friendsgiving on Friday): go have a nice meal with a handsome gent.

The day of: Hit up flower market, arrange flowers, write menu on chalk board, set the table (obsessed with this awesome chalk board paper I used as a runner)

Just before the party: Set up cocktail and bar stations, write instagram names above place settings, light candles.

^^ reflection.

Party Time: Guests arrive, food is served, toasts are shared. Heart is warm.

(NYC's finest. So much love.)
After dinner: Toast with tiny boots a la Johnny B's, clear plates from table, share what we are and are not thankful for, draw on table.

End of the night: And finally, end with lighting the menorah, dancing, singing, and jumping on the coat pile.

And THAT's how you host Friendsgiving. I'd like to thank our friends for being awesome and my co-host for all his help.

xoxo, K