{"id":79666,"date":"2023-11-15T08:08:10","date_gmt":"2023-11-15T16:08:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/hi-lo\/?post_type=newspack_nl_cpt&p=79666"},"modified":"2023-11-15T08:08:15","modified_gmt":"2023-11-15T16:08:15","slug":"how-to-celebrate-friendsgiving-in-lb","status":"publish","type":"newspack_nl_cpt","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/newsletter\/how-to-celebrate-friendsgiving-in-lb","title":{"rendered":"How to celebrate \u2018Friendsgiving\u2019 in LB"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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Off the Clock<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Your time-off itinerary for things to do in Long Beach and beyond.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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FOOD<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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MUSIC<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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ART<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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INSTAGRAM<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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YOUTUBE<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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We’ve got one week left to celebrate Friendsgiving<\/strong>, Squadsgiving<\/strong>, Worksgiving<\/strong>, Petsgiving<\/strong> \u2014 what have you \u2014 before many of us are dispatched this Nov. 23 to a day of ~family dynamics~ and gorging the usual nap-inducing assortment of Thanksgiving<\/strong> fare. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So today, we’re going to talk about how to throw a creative, drama-free and well-delegated (note that ingredient) Friendsgiving before the holiday hits. If you live in a tiny space like yours truly, fret not, I’ll be sharing some alternative outdoor locations in Long Beach to park your party. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But first, how did this whole Friendsgiving idea and term originate? According to Merriam-Webster<\/strong>, the first known use comes from a 2007 tweet<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And whatever your opinions are on the rather vanilla \u201890s sitcom, “Friends<\/strong>” (RIP Mathew Perry<\/strong>), many have made the case that the show popularized the alternative holiday in numerous episodes from 1994 to 2003. According to, yet again, ye old faithful Merriam-Webster<\/strong>, it rose to prominence ever since Bailey’s Irish Cream<\/strong> used the term in an ad, which became a plot point in “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyway, onto our very first Off the Clock Friendsgiving<\/strong> guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Pick a theme <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether you’re into pajama Friendsgiving, pumpkin carving Friendsgiving, Game of Thrones Friendsgiving, sweetsgiving, jello-shotsgiving or just the good old trad-<\/a>Thanksgiving-Friendsgiving \u2014 there’s more than one way to skin a potato. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Last year’s (very crowded) “vegansgiving” table. Photo by Kat Schuster. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Last year, my partner and I workshopped vegansgiving. I was skeptical at first, but it absolutely hit the spot. We made roasted-sweet potato vegan Thanksgiving wraps<\/a>, miso-glazed roasted Brussels sprouts<\/a>, roasted squash salad<\/a> with crispy shallot and balsamic reduction and somehow, more. If you plan to attempt a plant-based Thanksgiving, I highly recommend nabbing recipes from Minimalist Baker<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traditionally, Friendsgiving is a potluck<\/strong> situation. But I’ve also attended some rather extravagant Great Gatsby-level<\/strong> Friendsgiving parties that were entirely put on by the host \u2014 five-course meals, pie buffets \u2014 the works. It’s really your call. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tomorrow, myself and the rest of the plucky Post staff are stringing together our own Worksgiving<\/strong>. Our theme is simply a potluck of assorted turkey-day fare, but there’s been a running joke that every person is bringing mashed potatoes<\/strong> or some variation of potato dish (*eye-roll*). Personally, I hope this doesn’t actually unfold, but if you’d like to throw your own spudsgiving<\/strong>, here’s 21 recipes<\/a> to check out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Find a location<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A couple sits on the grass overlooking the Colorado Lagoon in Belmont Heights. Photo by Kat Schuster<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My very first Friendsgiving, a 19-year-old me and my eight other roommates laid a 10-foot surfboard down across some wooden boxes and made that our dining table. Whatever works. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have enough room and you’re willing to risk someone spilling their Pumpkin Spice White Russian on your IKEA rug, by all means, host away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Otherwise, you could opt for a Friendsgiving picnic. I’d suggest rounding up a good amount of blankets and tapestries: Something large to sit on and small blankets to keep cozy. If you’ll be setting up in the evening, gather some candles, those battery-operated twinkle lights<\/a> and lanterns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are my favorite parks to picnic at in Long Beach:<\/p>\n\n\n\n