You’ve probably heard about the rapidly growing trend called Friendsgiving. Someone smart, who didn’t live near family and didn’t want to spend Turkey Day all alone, decided to host their own Thanksgiving dinner for their friends. Of course Thanksgiving For Friends is a mouthful so thankfully it was shorted to Friendsgiving.

Now people all over the country are hosting their own Friendsgiving dinner. Lucky for you, it doesn’t have to be complicated. So if you have been considering hosting your own Friendsgiving, here’s a few tips to help you get started.

If you live by yourself, it’s understandable if you eat off paper plates and drink from the one mug in your cabinet that has your alma mater’s mascot on the side. But paper plates aren’t really what you want to serve Thanksgiving dinner with. Head over to your local thrift store and find yourself a set of pretty vintage glassware and some mismatched china. Add a Fall foliage bouquet to complete your gorgeous tablescape. (via Lauren Kelp)

Not everyone has a knack for creating beautiful table settings, and that’s okay! Clear the candles and flowers and just use that big ol’ homemade pumpkin pie for your centerpiece. Using cake stands can create a multidimensional display as well as making more table room for more food! (via The Effortless Chic)

Cooler Autumn weather isn’t just for bonfires. Take your Friendsgiving dining experience outdoors amid those beautiful leaves and brisk fresh air. Just make sure you provide plenty of blankets and throws to keep your guests cozy while they enjoy the bounty.

Nature has so much beauty to offer. Instead of buying flowers and plastic pumpkins to decorate your table, why not take a walk and collect leaves and sticks and plants to make your tablescape into a regular secret garden! (via The Sweetest Occasion)

Some of you probably live close to family, and are hosting a Friendsgiving for your friends who don’t live close to theirs. Make them feel extra special by breaking out your fine china and glassware. If it happens to be your great grandmothers that has held Thanksgiving dinner for generations, bonus points for you. (via Style Me Pretty)

Those four dining room chairs aren’t going to be enough for you and your five guests and you know it. Before you freak out, think outside the box and go grab a couple hay bales. Covered in blankets, they make a cozy seat for any outdoor party. (via The Sweetest Occasion)

Along with it’s bright oranges and reds, Autumn has a lot of deep jewel tones as well. Using those deep green and purple hues can really set off your bright colors and metallic tableware. You’ll also achieve that classy and elegant look you were going for. (via Apartment 34)

Maybe you’ve heard, but maybe you haven’t. Candlelight is a must for any dinner party. While it can symbolize romance, the soft glow that emanates from a flickering flame brings a sense of intimacy to dinner and sets the tone for deep meaningful conversation. (via Wedding Chicks)

So maybe you’ve never made a turkey in your life. That’s okay because Friendsgiving doesn’t require one. Don’t settle for precooked turkey from the freezer section! Put together a cheese plate with fruits and breads that will have your guests too busy licking their fingers to miss the stuffing. (via Camille Styles)

In the end, when you really think about it, Friendsgiving isn’t about a beautiful tablescape or the perfect roast turkey. It isn’t about flowers or china or whether you eat indoors or outdoors. Friendsgiving is all about your guests, the people who make you laugh and hold you up when things get tough. So don’t let complicated looking tables keep you from celebrating your friends and thanking them for their friendship! (via Coordinately Yours)