Batch make a signature cocktail, and 7 other TikTok hacks for hosting Friendsgiving.

I've always wanted to host a dinner party with mates – but up until recently, I hadn't been quite sure where to start.

Planning any sort of event at home can be overwhelming: the food, the drinks, the music, the guest list, the tablescape and everything in between.

But then I came across a fabulous little inspo platform called TikTok – and it has completely changed the game. Especially when it comes to Friendsgiving occasions and early Christmas celebrations.

What's a 'Friendsgiving' you ask? It's basically just getting your friends together around the pointy end of the year, reminiscent of America's Thanksgiving. Because any chance to catch up with mates is worth grabbing with both hands!

From practical tips to aesthetic hacks, here's how to make your next Friendsgiving an unforgettable night.

1. Skip the stress – outsource the food.

I am not the strongest cook, so the idea of having to produce a home-cooked three-course meal for more than three people terrifies me.

So one of the best hacks to embrace is to take the mental load of cooking off your plate, and outsource the food.

This is exactly where Soul Origin catering is a big contender. The benefit is that they can deliver to you (huge time saver) and provide the goods for any sized crowd (which we love). They only have a 36-hour turnaround time too on getting in your order, so if there is a last-minute surprise or celebration you want to mark with your friends, you can still throw together one fancy dinner party at short notice. 

@soul_origin It’s Grazing Season 🎉🤩 #soulorigin #catering #greatfoodgoodtimes #grazinggoodness #grazingtable ♬ Lady gaga talented amazing brilliant - Bian Perez

Their catering packs are designed to help you curate and personalise them to your group's taste. So whether you're after a grazing board, salad bar, party packages or brunch assortments, they've got plenty of options to pick. And I can vouch, they're delicious too.

From personal experience, it's straightforward to organise. 

While planning a dinner party of my own, I just went online to Soul Origin and added the catering pack to my basket. And from there, I was able to edit from my shopping cart, swapping out one thing for another and adding additional food items as I wanted.

With over 18 salads to choose from, plenty of sides and dietary requirement options, let's just say I was pretty spoilt for choice. Arguably the biggest bonus about outsourcing the food is that it gives you more time to have fun with your guests, and the stress of cooking for large gatherings is out the window. 

2. Have fun styling a grazing table.

Now that we've got our catering sorted, all we have to do is present it.

Grazing tables are super fun to create, and quite simple thanks to all the ideas floating around on TikTok.

Now when it comes to arranging a grazing table, the key is to play with height.

@tayjay27 Grazing table for North Idaho Dermatology Spa! Watch how we create this tables 🥳 #charcuterie #grazingtable #grazing #catering #partyfoodideas #pnw ♬ Send Me on My Way - Guy Meets Girl

Having a mix of standing 'high tea' style trays and then platter boards always works well – many of which you can mix and match from looking at your local second-hand stores!

3. Flowers are the easiest way to create a tablescape.

When scrolling through TikTok, the tablescape inspiration is endless. And fabulous too.

But emulating it can be a little tricky, so here are some hacks for curating an Instagram-worthy table. 

The first one is flowers. It's the easiest way to elevate a space, plus a bunch of flowers is fairly inexpensive and goes a long way. 

@sarahbrithinee How to create a floral centerpiece 💐 #tiktokpartner #weddingdiy #learnontiktok #weddingtiktok ♬ original sound - sarah

You can either present them in the centre, or split the bouquet up into little bunches and position across the table.

The second tablescape tip is to use a tablecloth. It's maximum impact, little effort. Instead of ironing a tablecloth, you can just use a spray bottle of water to dampen it, then smooth it down with your hands – then add the plates and cutlery on top.

Last but not least, if you want your dinner party to be next-level, write out or print a menu. 

TikTok is full of menu ideas, and it doesn't need to be anything super fancy. You can write on the menu what your mates can expect to eat, and also write their name on the top like a place card. Two birds, one stone. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tori Falzon (@intothesauce)

4. Quick-fold your napkins using this hack.

Cloth napkins are a lot more boujee when entertaining than a sheet of paper towel – which in the past I admit I've offered to guests! But then I came across a set of simple cloth napkins at my local op shop, and I've used them for every dinner party since. 

They are practical, look smart and once thrown in the wash, come out good as new. 

For tips on how to quick-fold your napkins, check out this TikTok below: 

@effectivespaces Takes me back to my hospitality days x #napkin #etiquette #fyp ♬ River Flows in You - Yiruma

5. Conversation cards are a dinner party must.

Everyone loves an engaging and flowing conversation at a dinner party.

And something I love to use for dinner parties are conversation card games - which are quite the party lifesaver.

The card question prompts make it super easy to have frank and honest conversations with those closest to you. Plus, there's often a question that will make everyone giggle uncontrollably. (Here's Mamamia's recommendations list for conversation cards!)

6. Have a batch-made signature cocktail station.

I love sharing a drink among friends, and one of our favourite things to do as a group is to try new fun cocktails together.

So creating a 'signature drink' for the occasion can be a memorable idea, and with a tailored name too so it feels personalised to your group of loved ones or the vibe of the evening. You can then batch-make the recipe in some cocktail jugs before your guests arrive at your dinner party, so it' a huge time-saver.

Some crowd-pleaser signature options include mimosas, a fruity punch or a mojito mix. 

@lalalandshop_ Making cocktails in our Serendipity Jug 💞 #business #smallbusiness #businesscheck #australianbusiness #fyp #australianart #foryoupage ♬ original sound - Sickickmusic

There are also plenty of delicious non-alcoholic drinks you could make in a batch as well. Garnish with a sprig of mint and some cut strawberries and they're ready for your drinks station!

7. Drink markers will save the day.

Now that you've got your drink batches sorted, another factor to consider is the glassware.

When it comes to hosting a Friendsgiving get together, the washing up or loads of dishwasher rounds needed is definitely a bit of a bummer. So to ensure as few dishes as possible, it's great to have one drinking glass per person. And the easiest way to keep this in place is by using drink markers. 

There's heaps of options online – or you could whip up your own version, even pairing each glass with its own unique conversation card or question to ask other guests.

8. Organise a playlist beforehand. 

To set the mood right, you can always rely on some good ol' music.

For the start of the gathering, it's great to keep things soft and simple – opting for chill background music so as not to drown out conversation.

Curating a playlist can be tough, especially for those with little time on their hands. That's why I love to embrace listening platforms like Apple Music, Spotify or YouTube, which are home to countless dinner party playlists already put together. All you have to do is press play.

You can't go wrong with some chill '70s music or a soft pop soundtrack.

And if you want to end the night with a boogie in the lounge room or backyard, disco and '80s hits always deliver.

So what are you waiting for? Get your loved ones over now for a fabulous and stressless Friendsgiving. Bon appétit!

Try Soul Origin to make catering simple for your next social gathering or celebration. They're Australian owned and operated, and with 138+ stores across the country, there's a Soul Origin just around the corner.

Local delivery at participating stores.

Feature Image: TikTok/@soul_origin/@lalalandshop_/Instagram/@lauralrubin