25 Festive Decor Ideas for the Best Friendsgiving Ever

Nov 13, 2016

With the blink of an eye, Halloween is done and past, and it’s time for a new holiday. That’s right — it’s Turkey day’s time to shine! If you’re planning on hosting a Friendsgiving this year, make sure your get-together outshines the rest with fun, festive and colorful decorations. Whether that means enlisting a cornucopia piñata or stuffing a turkey with confetti (read on, you’ll see), these 25 decor ideas will surely help you on your way to the *best Friendsgiving ever.*

1. DIY Cornucopia Piñata: Put your leftover Halloween candy to use, and *no,* we don’t mean binging-out. Just chuck ’em inside this cornucopia piñata your guests can take a swing at. It’ll be an activity much appreciated, especially after that second helping of pumpkin pie. (via Brit + Co)

2. DIY Painted Foam Leaves: Transform foam leaves into an assorted rainbow with your choice of spray paint colors. Use hot glue to attach the leaves to each other, and there you have it — one festive and modern backdrop fit for a photo booth or drinks bar. (via A Kailo Chic Life)

3. DIY Gradient Orb Taper Candle Holders: Your friends will never guess that these candle holders actually started out as round pieces of foam. Use spray paint to paint bursts of color all around the orbs for a similar gradient effect. But feel free to spray paint them a solid color, if you prefer a more refined look. (via A Kailo Chic Life)

4. DIY Paper Leaf Thanksgiving Table Runners: Turn up the *feels* by having friends write notes sharing what they’re thankful for onto paper leaves. Over dinner, read what everyone wrote and try to guess who said what, for a fun way to share how grateful everyone is for everything and each other. (via Momtastic)

5. DIY Mini Pumpkin and Gourd Vases: For an alternative to the traditional flower arrangement, source a collection of mini pumpkins at your local grocery store or a pumpkin patch to turn into DIY planters. Simply scoop out the center of your pumpkins and gourds, then plop a succulent or air plant right in. The best part is your friends can take them home as party favors. (via Brit + Co)

6. DIY Thanksgiving Balloons: Balloons go a long way in decorating your party space. These punny Thanksgiving-themed ones are no exception. You can even ask friends to help you think up some hilarious ones to DIY on the spot! (via Studio DIY / Balloon Time)

7. DIY Mini Succulent Cornucopia Table Cards: How adorable are these mini cornucopias? If you dig them as much as we do, make enough for your own friends. All you’ll need is some paracord and hot glue. (via Brit + Co)

8. DIY Copper Leaf Drink Stirrers: Don’t fret if your glassware isn’t “fancy” enough. Just dress up each glass with a copper leaf drink stirrer that’s sure to make any holiday cocktail extra festive. (via A Kailo Chic Life)

9. DIY Crayon Place Cards: Entertain guests with DIY place cards that give off a personalized touch. Cover your table with kraft paper instead of a tablecloth and your friends will be able to doodle and write notes of thanks while they wait for the turkey. (via A Bubbly Life)

10. DIY Confetti-Stuffed Turkey: Hostesses can be a little touchy when it comes to how their turkey is prepared. Luckily, this turkey’s got nothing that needs fixing. Stuff a white lunch bag turkey with *lots* of confetti you can shower friends with post-real-turkey. (via Studio DIY)

11. DIY Colorful Fall Glassware: While there are plenty of colorful glasses you can buy, DIYing is always a lot more fun ;) Make this pretty fall glassware set to serve drinks from, and come Friendsgiving, you’re bound to get some oohs and ahhs. (via Delineate Your Dwelling / Oriental Trading Company)

12. DIY Printable Thanksgiving Food Label Cards: Streamline the wait at the Friendsgiving buffet table by labeling all the food with these handy printable cards. It’ll speed up the process while adding some welcome color to the table. (via Lovely Indeed)

13. DIY Felt Leaf Garland: Cutting out each leaf may take a while, so this project is one best started long before Turkey day. Or, if your Friendsgiving can do with an activity, recruit your friends to help you cut and make the garland together. (via The Magic Onions)

14. DIY Gold Scallop Thanksgiving Garland: Here’s a chic gold DIY garland to be thankful for. To make it, you’ll need to purchase a scallop circle paper punch, if you don’t already have one. But the plus side is you can use it to give just about any of your future DIY projects a stylish scallop pattern. (via Homey Oh My / PBteen)

15. DIY Thanksgiving Banner: Go crazy with colored felt to create your own bright and bold banner. Once you’re done, hang it up high to remind your pals of how thankful you are to have them in your life. (via Tell Love and Party)

16. DIY Emoji Turkey Leg Balloons: Disguise areas of plain wall or undecorated spaces with a bunch of balloons featuring a couple of DIY emoji turkey legs. They’ll ensure that every corner is bursting with fun and festive decorations. (via Aww Sam)

17. DIY Pumpkin Pie Slice Hat: Get your guests in the mood for games with this playful pumpkin pie slice hat. You can even have your friends make them for one another to make the activity more engaging. (via Studio DIY)

18. DIY Copper-Wrapped Candles: Elegant decor doesn’t have to be hard: Take these DIY copper-wrapped candles, for example. Simply wrap plain LED candles with copper foil tape for a fall look that screams chic. (via Design Improvised)

19. DIY Thankful Placemats and Napkin Rings: Step up your place-setting game with this stylish DIY. Just add a pom-pom border to your place mat and along your napkin ring for the ultimate table sprucer-upper. (via Brit + Co)

20. DIY Turkey Feather Place Cards: Give your holiday get-together a cute and quirky feel with these colorful turkey feather place cards. All you’ll need to make them is a cork, colored markers and paper. (via Almost Makes Perfect)

21. DIY Autumnal Wreath: This gorgeous autumnal wreath deserves a prime spot at your Friendsgiving to show it off. Whether it’s the front door or above your dessert bar, take your pick. (via Brit + Co)

22. DIY Fall Harvest Table Runner: Amp up the festive vibes with a table runner made of fresh fruit. Just spoon out the core from a batch of apples, then pop in a tea light. Place your tea light apples in the middle of your table, then add a couple of branches to complete your holiday tablescape. (via Brit + Co)

23. DIY Watercolor Leaves Place Cards: As pretty as fall leaves are, sadly, they don’t last very long. Present your friends with a wooden alternative that’s just as pretty but will last long after your Friendsgiving get-together ends. (via Shrimp Salad Circus)

24. DIY Gold Pinecone Place Card Holders: Fall is a time for pinecones galore. So take advantage of your sidewalk litter and upcycle them into stylish place card holders with a coat of gold glitter spray paint. (via Squirrelly Minds)

25. Give Thanks Balloons: Spell out your favorite Thanksgiving phrase with some shiny mylar letter balloons to spruce up a plain wall. Leave it at that, or throw in a colorful garland or two to complete the look. (via Brit + Co)

Which of these decor ideas will you use for your Friendsgiving? Follow us on Pinterest for more decor tips and tricks!

23 Thanksgiving Desserts You Won’t Believe Are Healthy

Between the stuffing, the mashed potatoes, the rolls, and the green bean casserole, it's quite the feat when you manage to leave room for pumpkin pie after aThanksgivingfeast. Luckily, dessert options that are healthy and delicious run rampant, and you'll want to make sure to save some room for a bite of each.

From Paleo pies to dairy-free ice creams, here are 20 healthy Thanksgiving desserts to please everyone at your table, regardless of their diet.

Brit + Co

Mini Chocolate-Pecan Pies

These smaller portions of chocolate pecan pie make snacking on something sweet way healthier and more realistic than reaching for an actual slice. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Sweet Potato Parfait

You'll get a little bit of sweet and a little bit of savory with this aesthetically-pleasing Thanksgiving dessert. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Double Chocolate Banana Pumpkin Bread

Though layered with chocolate, banana bread does have bananas in it, so that means it's healthy, right? (via Brit + Co)

Delicious Knowledge

Pumpkin Donuts with Pecan Frosting

No one can ever say no to a donut, and these can even double-duty as breakfast the morning after Thanksgiving. (via Delicious Knowledge)

Half Baked Harvest

Mini Chocolate Pumpkin Seed Candy Peanut Butter Cups

Who said Thanksgiving dessert had to be pie? Snack on these homemade Reese’s cups while you play games after dinner. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Natural Girl Modern World

Pumpkin Pie Parfait with Coconut Whipped Cream

The most “difficult” part of this recipe is the 24-hour wait to dig in, but don’t worry — this layered gluten-free and vegan dessert is a great way to tap into your creative skills. (via Natural Girl Modern World)

Bakerita

Paleo Pecan Pie

You won’t be in a sugar coma after a slice (or two!) of this paleo pecan pie. Coconut oil and almond flour make this a delicious grain-free and dairy-free dessert. (via Bakerita)

Healthy Maven

Spiralized Apple Crumble

Instead of spending all your time chopping apples for a healthy Thanksgiving dessert, cut your time in half by spiralizing them for a quick and healthy apple crumble. It’s sure to be a huge hit and is *totally* Instagram-worthy. (via Healthy Maven)

Joyful Healthy Eats

No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Pecan Crust

Make these a few days in advance to take the stress out of the entire Thanksgiving dinner event. (via Joyful Healthy Eats)

Gourmande in the Kitchen

Coconut Caramel Pecan Bars

These vegan and gluten-free bars look and taste fancy, but are a total breeze to make. (via Gourmande in the Kitchen)

Twin Stripe

Gluten-Free Apple Berry Crumble

Apple pie is so 2014. Instead, make a gluten-free crumble with those apples for a dessert that everyone can enjoy! (via Twin Stripe)

Amy’s Healthy Baking

Maple Cupcakes with Pumpkin Pie Frosting

No one will guess that these cupcakes are healthy and gluten-free. Serving cupcakes will keep you from having to wash extra plates and forks, too. (via Amy’s Healthy Baking)

Bakerita

Paleo Pumpkin Pie

Traditional pumpkin pie isn’t gluten-free or paleo. Swap it out for this pie that’s free of dairy and refined sugar, and healthy enough to have for breakfast the day after Thanksgiving. (via Bakerita)

Hungry Happenings

Cocoa Banana Ice Cream Turkeys

Banana ice cream is vegan and gluten-free, and won’t have you missing traditional pumpkin pie. You can have your turkey and eat it too with this adorable dessert, no matter if you’re a carnivore or not! (via Hungry Happenings)

Clean Raw Living

Vegan Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Can you believe raw, vegan cheesecake is a thing? These are perfect for a treat everyone can enjoy, no matter what kind of diet they may follow. (via Clean Raw Living)

The Real Food Dietitians

Gluten-Free Healthy Carrot Cake Bars

Loaded with freshly grated carrots, warm spices, and a velvety cream cheese drizzle, this treat is all about indulgence without all the guilt. (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Clean Cuisine

Gingerbread Loaf

Deck the halls with boughs of gingerbread! This gingerbread loaf is a slice of holiday happiness that'll transport you straight to a cozy winter wonderland. (via Clean Cuisine)

Crowded Kitchen

Granola Cookies

Packed with oats, nuts, and your choice of mix-ins, they're a crowd-pleaser that can be customized to perfection. These cookies offer a delightful crunch in every bite, and you can even make them ahead of time to ease your Thanksgiving prep. (via Crowded Kitchen)

A Virtual Vegan

Dark Chocolate Hummus

Creamy, dreamy, and oh-so-decadent, this dessert dip will leave your guests swooning. It's the perfect blend of healthy and indulgent, making it a delightful surprise on your Thanksgiving table. (via A Virtual Vegan)

Whole and Heavenly Oven

Browned Butter Banana Zucchini Cake

The browned butter in this healthy Thanksgiving dessert adds a rich, nutty note, while the bananas and zucchini keep it moist and sweet. This dessert is a Thanksgiving game-changer that'll have your family begging for seconds. (via Whole and Heavenly Oven)

Where Is My Spoon?

Zucchini Bundt Cake

This beauty is all about turning a humble veggie into a dessert masterpiece. With its stunning spiral shape and tender crumb, it's a showstopper that'll have everyone reaching for another slice! (via Where Is My Spoon?)

Vanilla and Bean

Blueberry Galette

Bursting with plump, juicy blueberries and encased in a flaky, buttery crust, this treat is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Try serving it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or dusted with powdered sugar! (via Vanilla and Bean)

Gastroplant

Orange and Prune Scones

These are perfect bites for breakfast or as a charming addition to your Thanksgiving brunch spread. (via Gastroplant)

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This post has been updated, featuring former reporting from Kaitlyn Ingram and Cassandra Pisone.

10 Ways Your Home Office Design Is Killing Your Productivity

I've been working from home since long before it became the norm. And my "office" has evolved from a spindled-back chair at the kitchen table to an airy home office with a view. Back then, my productivity took a hit without essentials like adequate storage space, comfortable seating, and a bit of privacy. While it has its perks, working from home comes with its fair share of challenges; your home office setup doesn't need to be one of them.

Here are 10 ways to redesign your home office for better productivity!

Caio

1. Bad Lighting

Dim or harsh overhead lighting can strain your eyes and limit your focus. Try to get close to a window for natural light or use daylight bulbs to mimic sunlight to boost your mood, creativity, and focus. Find a desk lamp that works for you too!

Ella Jardim

2. Clutter Everywhere

A cluttered desk equals a cluttered mind, IMO. Reduce the stress that comes with a disorganized and cluttered desk by bringing in shelves and organizers; finding sleek cable-management solutions; and removing any unnecessary items to reduce visual distractions.

Vlada Karpovich

3. Uncomfortable Furniture

If you're sitting most of the day, it's so important to invest in a good desk chair. An unsupportive chair or poorly sized desk can be uncomfortable, making it harder to stay focused for long periods of time. Your back will thank you!

Ketut Subiyanto

4. No Boundaries Between Work and Home

Distractions at home like kids and partners can kill your productivity. Avoid blurring the line between work and home life by designating a private space, separate from high-traffic spaces, for your work hours if you can. Use rugs, curtains, or acoustic panels to reduce noise too.

Mizuno K

5. Lack of Storage

I get it, they're not the best-looking pieces in your home, but without proper filing systems you’ll waste time hunting for important documents or supplies. Invest in modern storage options that look good too from Mustard Made and The Container Store.

Vlada Karpovich

6. Unoptimized Tech Setup

Slow Internet or outdated tech tools can make you feel totally frustrated and can slow down your productivity. Upgrade your Internet to a faster connection, and refresh your tech gadgets and programs to make sure you work more efficiently.

Ivan Samkov

7. Awkward Desk Placement

Placing your desk in a spot with too much noise, traffic, or distractions — like facing a TV — will guarantee to disrupt your concentration. Find a more zen spot where you can focus on the tasks of the day.

Anna Shvets

8. Ignoring Ergonomics

Check your monitor height, keyboard positioning, and add a wrist rest so you don't lead to feeling uncomfortable and fatigued, cutting your workday short.

Mikhail Nilov

9. Lack of Personalization

A sterile, uninspiring office design does your motivation and creativity no favors. Make work feel less like a chore by adding personal touches through artwork, personal photos, candles, some fresh flowers or plants. Greenery can improve air quality and actually reduce work stress. Add a little snack station for quick energy boosts and keep water handy. Also, your Zoom backgrounds should reflect your personality!

Serpstat

10. No Inspiration

No matter what you do — whether it's a creative work or something more analytical — you want to feel inspired. Personalization can help, but dive into vision boards, books, magazines, quotes that inspire your work and help you bring fresh ideas to your workday. Color psychology can help too: blues and greens encourage focus and reduce stress while pops of yellow or orange can spark creativity! Break out the paint if needed!

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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How To Dress Your Dog Like A Turkey This Thanksgiving

If you follow along on B+C, you’ve seen and admired our canine model, Turkey Temple (one of my favorite pet names, TBH). He is definitely a turkey by trade but clearly not by species. It seems like an obvious choice, but this was Turkey’s first time dressing up as a turkey for Halloween. Spooky season might be over, but it's *always* a good idea to dress your dog up for Thanksgiving if they don't mind!!

Keep reading for the cutest and easiest DIY dog turkey costume!

I’ve been making a lot of pet costumes this year, but this one has been high on my list for a long time. With some felt and One-Wrap Velcro, we created this pet costume in no time at all. Does your pet have a goofy name? Try dressing them up as their name, and make sure you snap photos and share them with us on Instagram! Oh, and don't forget to check out our 46 Cute Dogs Guaranteed To Make You Smile, too!

How To Make A Dog Turkey Costume

Tools And Materials:

red, orange, yellow and white felt
cardboard
One-Wrap Velcro
pen
fabric scissors
hot glue gun

Instructions:

1. Draw large, long oval feathers on your yellow felt. Stack the yellow felt on top of the orange felt and cut them both out. Next, draw a curved rectangular shape on the white felt and cut it out.

2. Hot glue the white rectangular shapes to the feathers, then glue the feathers to one another to create a fan shape.

3. Glue a horizontal strip of cardboard to the back of the feathers to help them stand upright.

4. Hot glue a piece of felt to each edge of the feathers and attach a strip of One-Wrap Velcro that is long enough to wrap around your dog’s belly.

5. Cut out a gobble from red felt and attach some One-Wrap Velcro.

Draw 12 long feathers on your yellow felt. Stack the yellow felt on top of the orange felt and cut out your feathers. Cut 12 white curved rectangular pieces to accent the feathers.

Glue the white pieces to the feathers and then glue the feathers to one another into a fan shape.

Attach a long strip of cardboard to the back of the feathers to help them stand up straight once the dog turkey costume is assembled.

Hot glue a piece of felt to each edge of the feathers and attach a strip of One-Wrap Velcro that is long enough to wrap around your dog’s belly.

Draw a gobble onto a piece of red felt, cut it out and glue it to a small piece of One-Wrap Velcro.

Hey Turkey — here’s your turkey costume!

Attach the gobble to your dog by wrapping the One-Wrap Velcro around the collar.

Cutest turkey I ever did see!

Follow us on Pinterest for more cute DIYs like this dog turkey costume!

This post has been updated.

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Spencer Pratt & Heidi Montag Break Down In Tears About “Life Changing” Public Support After $2.5 Million Home Burned Down

The world watched as the devastating L.A. fires swept away home after home last week — including reality TV icons Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt's. To say it was heartbreaking for the L.A. community would be a gross understatement, and these two have been very open about the toll it's taken on their family. In an interview with Good Morning America, the couple opened up to share about their experience — and share the incredible way friends and fans have come together to support them.

Looking for ways to help L.A. after the devastating fires? Here's a very helpful list of resources you can donate to!

Here's how fans are helping Spencer Pratt & Heidi Montag after the L.A. fires

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt joined Good Morning Americaon January 15, 2025 to talk about how the L.A. fires continue to impact them. The couple shared what it was like having to quickly leave their home in a moment's notice. Heidi explained that Spencer told her to grab anything she wanted to keep, so she ended up grabbing her kids' teddy bears because she was so flustered.

When their $2.5 million home actually caught fire, Spencer got choked up talking about watching their kids' rooms burn on their cameras. He said, "Our son’s bed started just burning in the shape of a heart. The fire started in the shape of a heart. I was like, ‘This is like, out of body insane.’"

Outside of that, the couple detailed the loss beyond the material items of it all. Spencer opened up about the memories lost throughout it all, too. He said, “I feel like a ghost. I don’t have a single photo now from before an iPhone existed. I don’t have any of the dumb little things that are on your shelves in your parents’ they’re all gone. Not a single nothing.”

And to Heidi, their home was more than a physical place to live. She shared, “It’s a place that you love that you live, it’s a refuge from the world. And to have that be gone, it’s a really difficult concept to continue to daily deal with."

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

In the midst of the devastation, fans and friends have banded together to support Heidi and Spencer in a really unique way. After Spencer posted on TikTok that people should stream Heidi's 2010 album Superficial, so they can generate revenue to rebuild their lives with, people took that and ran with it. The song eventually hit #1 on iTunes, and Spencer even shared that there's potential for it to hit Billboard's Hot 100 Dance Chart, too.

And it's not just fans blasting this throwback song. Friends and fellow celebrities like Paris Hilton and Flava Flav both posted the song on TikTok. Plus, former The Hills co-stars shared the song as well, including Brody Jenner, Kristin Cavallari, and Audrina Patridge.

Heidi said, “The fan support has been such a light in such a darkness for us. It’s life-changing.”

We're sending love to Heidi and Spencer — and all the families impacted by the terrible L.A. fires this year.

Looking for more celebrity news? Be sure to follow us on Facebook so you never miss a thing.

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OMG, Netflix Just Confirmed The ‘You’ Season 5 Release Date (With New Video)

Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) is back for another season of snooping and stalking in New York City, and thanks to the new You season 5 teaser, we know exactly when this new TV show is returning. In addition to showing us characters from the past like Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail), Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti), and Marienne Bellamy (Tati Gabrielle), Joe straight-up says goodbye to the one person who's always been there: you. Yep, Netflix went there.

“Every season they manage to find new space to make it interesting and relevant,” Penn Badgley told Tudum. “And this season, I think somehow coming back to where it started allowed for it to just become grounded in the way that it needs to also have this kind of spectacular finish.”

Here's a breakdown of that brand new You season 5 teaser.

"Hello, you. Do you remember me? Cause I remember you," Joe asks in the You season 5 teaser, over shots of New York City and Mooney's Books. "Here we are together again, back to where it began."

"A lot has happened these many years together," he continues. "Identities, cities, loves, complications." The trailer is a walk down memory lane for viewers and for Joe as he remembers Beck, Love, and Marienne — and locking them up. Plus some fights and escapes he made along the way.

"All that led me here to now, to where I as always meant to be," he says. "And the one constant, the one thing that has always been there for me, is you. You who have been there the whole time and will be there with me to the end. Goodbye, you."

Okay, this is totally giving me Black Mirror, metaverse vibes, especially since Joe's in his creepy underground bunker with all that blue lighting. I have chills down my spine just watching this!

Is season 5 of You coming out?

Yes, You season 5 is dropping on Netflix April 24, 2025.

We've been waiting for new episodes since season 4 premiered in 2023, but the writers and stars have been planning Joe's ending for much longer. "We have some ideas that we've been talking about pretty much from the beginning," Sera Gamble told EW when she was showrunner in 2023. "It's really the debate about what kind of justice would be fair and appropriate for a guy like Joe. And then do we believe that he would get that kind of punishment? My short answer is like, maybe not from the American system. But there might be other ways. So that's the stuff we're talking about."

But whatever these writers and directors have up their sleeves, Penn Badgley promises You season 5 will come to a "perfect" conclusion. “I would love for people to just be like, ‘Wow, it’s over and I feel good and I don’t want to watch it again,'" he told Harper's Bazaarin March of 2023. And honestly, a perfect ending is all TV fans can hope for these days, right?

Who's in the You season 5 cast?

The final season of You stars Penn Badgley, Madeline Brewer, Anna Camp, Charlotte Richie, and Griffin Matthews.

Are you excited for the final season of You? I cannot wait to see the way Penn Badgley and Netflix bring the show to a close. Follow us on Facebook for the latest You season 5 news — and updates on all your favorite TV shows!

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