I just found out that there is actually a term for a holiday party a friend used to throw, back a couple of decades ago, called Friendsgiving. Before there was a show called Friends. And prior to all kinds of new fall color schemes being introduced, see the Notes From The Beat Department.
It can be celebrated at various times, with the month of November noted, but usually right around Thanksgiving. When I saw the term online, I first thought of the big eve before Thanksgiving itself, that being a huge bar night, especially since all the kids (older ones) are newly coming back from college and getting reacquainted. In also just found out that has been termed Blackout Wednesday. As opposed to Black Friday, which is referenced later.
An online search revealed that 30 percent of people celebrate Friendsgiving, broadly defined as getting together with people you really like to hang out with, and not necessarily family. (More on that below). In some generations, the figure goes up to 40 percent.
And this being the Thursday, or thereabouts, that it is, it seems to always revolve around food. Potluck too, can make you get lucky by being with your friends.
But back to that party a friend used to hold, for a few years running. It was on the late-night end of Thanksgiving, after you had stuffed your face to avoid having to talk to all your crazy relatives. She billed her gala as hanging with those people who you really want to. Hence Friendsgiving?
It is debated whether this new version of the old holiday came from the hit show. Especially now that the man who played Chandler has died. When I was talking to a young friend, and was asked which Friends character I was most like, I said Chandler. He said Ross. I could see that. After all, they both went after Rachel.
— Have not heard yet from Cami about her party concoction, if its being revived, and the clock has been ticking. She just might be logging some overtime at the place I last ran into her, an eye doctor shop rather than shopping, as the eyes have it, in more than one way, or that’s how I view it, since seeing is believing. So, there is also now, I’ve been informed, a food-fest-based Happy Bev’s-Giving via the TV show The Goldbergs, and I hope its golden with tips you can glean — and quips too — for a late Friendsgiving. All this brings us to goose. We were watching the usually hapless Packers score 20 points in the first quarter (wouldn’t you know it, a mixed extra point or it would round out to 21), with a Madden-style matinee. His fave entree, from years that go back almost as far as the classic Thanksgiving contest — OK that also incorporates his time coaching the Raiders — with the Lions that usually ended up being losers … Yes we are talking the iconic Turducken, put up in caps because you could still be the winning chef at your Friendsgiving potluck and more. How so? Add to the chicken inside a duck inside a turkey, a mix that brings in goose and Cornish game hen. That would make it — in an expanse that makes lefse and lutefisk look more normal, for those of you watching the Vikings play on Monday Night Football — a new term that I’ll expand and expound on to call Turgooseduckenhen! Is there a Booby prize for this contest? As we could be talking the Vikings here, and the barely there Bears, for your party. Depending on the further tolerance of your guests, leftovers or whole bird(s).
Just don’t bring a green vegetable, as an article claimed this is not kosher for even a post-Thanksgiving. You could serve what there was still available on Black Friday, if it has not turned brown yet. But kosher are PJs — are you reading this Gopher Coach PJ Fleck? — as I have often wondered if the first Thanksgiving pilgrims really were all decked out in buckles and cool hats and knickers. That could be pricey for an impoverished pilgrim. —
But go after grub, too. Yes at one local venue they’re open, he says, and this server has to work much of the day, but also noted he can still have turkey at some point, early or late. But wait a minute, he added: In the offing is some better food, although that is lowering the bar. Could be Friendsgiving.
For example, Hudson Tap opens at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving, like many other such venues, and they open earlier than usual, on Black Friday, at 11 a.m. Many bar and grills are closed completely for the day. Spending time serving their families rather than patrons. Or serving up Friendsgiving.
Still looking around? For specials? An ad online (seems like that’s all there is these days), that was pre-empted, so to speak, by those three dots or such to make you read inside, said you’ll want to check out our $1 … OK such a bonus was actually $10, but this is the beauty, or triumph, or debacle of (short form) internet ads.
Also, come the prior Sunday, (fun day for shoppers), were pumped like a holiday-ish pumpkin the “early” Black Friday discounts. One actually said starts “NOW!” (Their emphasis, if that is even needed.)