Typically set a week away from the Thanksgiving holiday, Friendsgiving has become one of the best ways to express your gratitude for the connections and friendships you've made over the years. It's a gathering amongst friends who are your prayer warriors, confidants and biggest supporters. After a year like 2020, human connection and friendship are so important for a healthy and happy life. This year, I couldn't pass up the opportunity for an in-person celebration with a few of my faves. I've dubbed myself the rival hostess amongst my close friends. Always curating a vibe that brings people together for a good time with good wine.

The Vibe: The host is tasked with creating a memorable experience that's warm, fun and unforgettable. Your decor aesthetic should be stylish, with either a whimsical or minimalistic fall themed design. Earth tones and nudes create the perfect backdrop for all the fall feels. The tablescape is what truly sets any dinner party apart. Dark sage, terracotta, jute, dark brown and olive colors are best for a vibrant tablescape. I used a combination to create a rich and moody autumn vibe. I selected amber wine glasses instead of clear glasses and 10.5" black modern stoneware plates to complete a sleek look. No party is complete without an R & B playlist (provided by my best friend Valencia), hookah, games and a hot chocolate bar.

Friendsgiving with Fetzer Images by Nic High Visuals — Nic High Visuals

The Food: Choose comfort and wine friendly foods that are easy for sharing. Preparing a full Thanksgiving spread can be overwhelming for the host. If you want to keep things simple find a caterer or try a potluck style where each guests can show off their best dish. In this case, I opted for a catered meal to eliminate the pressure. I chose comfort food from Mia's Table, a local family favorite. Our meal consisted of backyard chicken, mac n cheese, mashed potatoes and bacon glazed brussel sprouts.

Make sure the menu has a main course, sides and something green for a well-balanced meal. The acidity from a fresh salad or green veggies will help enhance the fruitiness in the wine. Don't forget the small bites which are essential while the rest of the meal is being prepared to serve, otherwise people might get hangry or full from the booze. Dessert is always an option and for this health concious group I chose a childlike and somewhat healthy dessert snack in mini caramel apples. Guests were able to choose from an assortment of toppings to create their own masterpiece.

The Wine: When wine and food are paired correctly, it brings out different flavors in the wine compared to drinking it on its own. As the host you should take into consideration your guests' preferences in wine and try to offer a variety of wines that pair well with your dinner menu. While red wines are primarily found on the dinner table for Thanksgiving, I chose food friendly and easy drinking whites from Fetzer Vineyards. Fetzer wines are affordable, flexible and sustainable as one of the largest B-corp certified wineries in the country. The Gewürztraminer, notably from Alsace, France is aromatic with notes of rose, white peach and honey. Its a full-bodied dry wine, high in alcohol with low acidity which balanced well with our baked chicken. If you're a fan of Riesling or Moscato, Gewürztraminer is a reason to leave your comfort zone. We also enjoyed a classic California Chardonnay, with pear, green apple and a hint of grapefruit on the nose. It has lively acidity with a touch of oak and fruit on the finish for a pleasing mouthfeel. I picked up both wines at my local Kroger for under $8. I love low budget wines that are truly undervalued.

Cheers to more memories, friendship and a festive Friendsgiving.