What are your plans for Thanksgiving? Are you planning on traveling to a relatives house for the holiday? Are you hosting dinner at your house?
Thankgiving was always a big deal for both me and my husband. Even when we were younger (long before we even met), Thanksgiving was always an important family event. We both have fond memories of sitting at the “kid’s table.” In fact, we were almost 30 years old and ended up at the kid’s table with my husband’s family on Thanksgiving. He’s the youngest of six, and all of his siblings were married. There was no room at the table for us, so we ended up sitting with our kids and all of our nieces and nephews.
Sadly, Thanksgivings haven’t been the same since both my mom and my mother in law passed away. Our home is too small to host everyone, and our siblings have gone on to celebrate Thanksgiving with their in-laws. Even my father and stepmother are not around. They spend the holiday in Indiana with my stepbrother and stepsister.
For the past several years our Thanksgivings consist of me, my husband and our two children. Even that has been changing. Our daughter had to work on Thanksgiving last year and she has to work Thanksgiving again this year. She doesn’t mind, per say. She gets holiday pay. But it does mess up our normal Thanksgiving routine.
There is a new type of Thanksgiving that is quickly gaining popularity. We might just have to look into it for ourselves. It’s call “Friendsgiving.” Have you heard of it?
Friendsgiving, the alter-ego to Thanksgiving and the holiday undoubtedly supported by millennials, continues to grow in popularity as it adds a new spin on the traditional celebration. For many, Friendsgiving is becoming the social event that cannot be missed. Millennials are breaking the mold by transforming sit-downs into potlucks, roasted turkey into turkey meatballs and mom’s cranberries into sophisticated cranberry cocktails.
Interesting… spending the holiday with friends instead of family. I like that idea, especially since we have no family around anymore to celebrate with.
Although I do like to stict with more traditional things, I do like the idea of mixing it up a bit and trying new things.
In honor Friendsgiving, the Cranberry Marketing Committee is launching its second annual Cranberry Friendsgiving Photo Contest, giving entrants a chance to win $4,000 in prizes for the best cranberry dishes, drinks and décor. Simply post a photo of your cranberry creation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest with #FriendsgivingCranberryContest and then upload it at CranberryFriendsgiving.com to enter.
The holiday is not the same without cranberries. From stuffing to sauce – they are a must have on any holiday table.
Cranberries are easy to use in sweet or savory dishes, and are a bold and bright addition to tablescapes, making them the perfect festive fall fruit for any Friendsgiving (or traditional Thanksgiving) celebration.
I LOVE cranberries. I enjoy them year round (not just for the holidays). They are versitle and you can make a lot with them. One of my favorite ways to enjoy cranberries is homemade cranberry sauce.
It’s so easy to make.
Cranberry Sauce
- 2 8-oz packages of cranberries, fresh or frozen
- Juice and zest from 1 orange
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
Directions
Place all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat and simmer until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens – about 15 to 20 minutes. Serve at room temperature or refrigerate. Remove the cinnamon stick before serving.
You could even add ¼ cup of Brandy to give it a bit of a flavor kick too.
You can even make Cranberry Salsa. There are several recipes on the internet. I’ve tried a few, each one making it taste a bit different (but yummy none the less).
One of my most favorite ways to enjoy cranberries is Party Meatballs using canned cranberries. These are so good that I make them every chance I get.
The Ultimate Party Meatballs
Ingredients:
- 1 package of Classic Italian Meatballs
- 1 can of Ocean Spray® cranberry sauce (or another brand)
- 1 bottle of Heinz Chili Sauce
In a large pan heat up the cranberry sauce and chili sauce. I find it easier to “melt” the cranberry sauce if you cut it up in small chunks.
Once melted toss in the meatballs and cook until the meatballs are heated.
It’s THAT easy!
It sounds kind of weird combining cranberry sauce with meat, but they go so well together. Mmm… now I’m craving them!
There are so many ways to enjoy cranberries.
If you are planning on hosting a Friendsgiving this year (or even a traditional Thanksgiving), check out the great variety of inspirational party resources at CranberryFriendsgiving.com. There you will find…
- The Ultimate Guide to Friendsgiving – a complete guide to throwing a bodacious bash
- Recipe Ideas – festive and flavorful recipes for appetizers, sides, desserts, cocktails and more
- Guide to Entertaining with Fresh Cranberries – a fresh look at how to incorporate America’s Original Superfruit® – cranberries – into trendy recipes and décor during the holidays and beyond
I received some cranberry products to enjoy and to make recipes with (appetizers, desserts, sides, cocktails…).
In addition to the package of cranberries I also received cranberry juice cocktail, jellied cranberry sauce, a measuring cup and a cocktail shaker.
Mmm… I love cranberries!
Don’t forget to enter the Cranberry Friendsgiving Photo Contest too for your chance to win great prizes.
I can give a lucky reader the same prize package.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end on November 20, 2016. The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via email and will have three days to reply or a new winner will be chosen in their place.
To enter please comment on this post and tell me what is your favorite way to enjoy cranberries. If you could share the recipe (or directions if it’s a craft) that would be great too.
For extra entries you can use the Rafflecopter widget (below) but you must complete the initial entry requirement or the additional entries won’t qualify.
Kimberly
*I received free product samples. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
Shelley P says
My favorite ways to enjoy cranberries is in trail mix and in juice.
Melissa Storms says
We string cranberries and popcorn for our tree each year. After the holidays are over we set the tree in a stand outside and leave the cranberries and popcorn for the birds.
Nancy says
I like to make my own cranberry sauce with a recipe similar to yours. I also like to put dried cranberries in a standard chicken salad recipe.
BusyWorkingMama says
I like to use them in my smoothies. When in season I purchase quite a bit and freeze them.
Julie Wood says
We love Cranberries in muffins, as a side dish for the Holidays and we love Cranberry juice.
rochelle haynes says
I love cranberry juice
Ty says
We love making orange cranberry bread.
mita says
I like cranberry juice
Mary W says
I like cooking with cranberries in breads or coffeecakes. My kids like the cranberry jelly in the can and ask for it at every holiday meal.
heather says
I love to eat cranberry sauce with my turkey.
Kimberly Matlack says
My favorite way to enjoy cranberries is in orange cranberry bread.
Angela Saver says
My favorite way to eat cranberries is in Orange Cranberry Muffins!
Donna Kellogg says
Turkey goes great with Cranberry sauce. I myself dont cook it fresh but I do love it .
Keri justice says
I typically just make baked goods like breads and cookies with them.
Breanna Pollard says
I LOVE TO ENJOY CRANBERRY MUFFINS.