How to Host the Ultimate Friendsgiving

Lea Johnson of Creekwood Hill gathers her creative gal pals to dish up styling and entertaining tips for a festive and Pinterest-worthy gathering.

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Just a week into November, design blogger Lea Johnson of Creekwood Hill kicked off the season by hosting her first friendsgiving. “I wanted to bring together all of the women that I admire—creators, artists, business owners, and all-around badasses,” Lea says.

But it wasn’t enough for the guests to show up with a bottle of wine, each one of these “givers, doers, and real deals,” Lea says, wanted to contribute her skills to the evening. Lea set the table with vintage modern pieces that she curates for her online shop. Then, as each of her friends arrived to the late-afternoon event, guests added another dimension to the scene. Foraged botanical centerpieces took shape as batched cocktails and mocktails were made. Candles were lit as guests built the charcuterie board. Handmade gifts (including beeswax taper candles) were given to each guest.

“There was never a quiet moment,” Lea says. “We all shared ideas and plans and events going on in our lives, and everyone left with hearts full and refreshed.”

Lea Johnson’s Tips for Holiday Gatherings

  • Curate the guest list. “The hardest part was determining how many people could fit into my tiny house, so I dug deep and thought about the women who have directly impacted me, and who are inspiring and uplifting and never afraid to walk through life with arms and hands wide open,” Lea says.
  • Timing is important. Late afternoon, mid-week gatherings are typically more convenient for guests who work during the day. Lea’s friendsgiving started at about 3 p.m. on a Wednesday and wrapped by 7 p.m.
  • Set a seasonal theme. “I wanted the feeling to be warm, and enveloping and safe and casual,” Lea says. The menu and setting reflected the autumnal season.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help. “All my friends wanted to jump in and contribute; one would say, ‘This is what I’m good at,’ and another, ‘How can I help?’”
  • Think and make ahead. “I had the house cleaned the day before, and I made the soup the morning of so it was simmering on the stove as people rolled in,” Lea says.
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bottles of liquor

bottles of liquor

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prepping the food in the kitchen

prepping the food in the kitchen

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dinner table all set up

dinner table all set up

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group of people cheersing at the dinner table

group of people cheersing at the dinner table

The Guest List

The Menu

  • Spiced Cider Cocktail
  • Charcuterie Board
  • Beet Salad
  • Harvest Carrot Soup
  • Harvest Pumpkin Chocolate Cake (from brimrestaurant.com)

For recipes, how-tos, and behind-the-scenes photos, check out Lea’s blog post.