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Charlie & Debbie

National ‘Men Make Dinner Day’ Is A Thing-Who Knew?

Author Debbie Nance

I hear about national days for this and that all the time.  But, National ‘Men Make Dinner Day’ is a thing I never knew about.  Apparently, it takes place the first Thursday of every November.  And, in looking at the history of the day, it appears I have been cheated out of a day off for years.  Although, it’s unclear exactly when it started.  But, the history referred to the event as “annual.”   So, it makes me think it happened at least once before, right?

Anyway, as you might guess the way National ‘Men Make Dinner Day’ works is pretty simple.  It started as a way to challenge the gender roles in the kitchen we used to consider “traditional.”  And, who would’ve thought that anyone can enjoy cooking?!  That’s sarcasm, by the way.  But, the history speaks of the day as an opportunity for men to show off their skills and make dinner for loved ones.

However, as someone who loves to cook and watches cooking shows on the regular, I find that more men cook than women lately. Most chefs I see on food competitions are men.  And, many, many executive chefs in restaurants are men.  And, most of my friends’ hubbies are the ones cooking in their house.  I’m not saying it’s the way it should be.  It’s just the way it seems to be.  And, when I visit the grocery store every week, the majority of shoppers are men.  If women are with them, they seem to act a bit lost as if they’ve never been grocery shopping before! LOL.

Hey, if cooking isn’t your jam, more power to you if someone else in the home takes the lead on that task.  But, it just makes me curious as to how this ‘Men Make Dinner Day’ really started since I feel a lot of men already cook every day.  And, I know it’s not always the case.  So, if you as a woman lovingly prepare meals 364 days of the year today is your day off!  And, tomorrow is ‘Sandwich Day!’  Read more about National ‘Men Make Dinner Day,’ and enjoy your day off, ladies!

Spice Up Your Friendsgiving: 5 Themes to Amp Up Your Gathering

Right after Halloween, Thanksgiving arrives on the scene. Many people opt to come together with family during Thanksgiving. Yet, for those who cannot or simply prefer not to. do that,  can celebrate with Friendsgiving. It closely mirrors Thanksgiving but with a more compact guest list. It’s an occasion for gathering with your dearest friends, all leading up to the Thanksgiving festivities.

True to its name, this unofficial holiday blends “Thanksgiving” and “Friends,” offering you the chance to be in the company of cherished friends who feel like family. It gives you the freedom to extend invitations exclusively to those you genuinely appreciate and enjoy conversing with.

Some credit the influential television show Friends with inspiring the idea of spending the holiday with friends. Another theory proposes that in 2011, an advertising campaign by Baileys Irish Cream liqueur introduced the term, propelling the trend further.

Unlike Thanksgiving, which has an official date, Friendsgiving doesn’t have a fixed day. Many people tend to host it before the actual Thanksgiving Day if they plan to spend the holiday with their family. Alternatively, some might simply adopt Thanksgiving itself, renaming it Friendsgiving when celebrating with a group of friends.

When it comes to the menu, it can range from a classic Thanksgiving potluck to a more distinctive selection featuring the personal favorites of those in attendance. In a Reddit thread, someone shared their Friendsgiving menu, which featured a Mexican-inspired feast. “For our Friendsgiving we do Mexican. Pineapple chicken and shredded beef tacos. Lime sour cream, rice, corn bread, queso, guac and assorted salsas. Margaritas and Jell-O shots,” they wrote.

While the Thanksgiving season often evokes memories of family traditions, Friendsgiving provides an opportunity to establish new traditions with those close to you. Over the years, Friendsgiving has become an annual tradition for many. If you’re hosting a Friendsgiving gathering, you can enhance the event by incorporating a theme.

Take a look at some Friendsgiving themes that would make for a fun holiday event.

  • Pajama Friendsgiving

    Reach out to your friends and let them know you’re planning a Friendsgiving pajama get-together. Invite them to join in wearing their preferred pajamas, and you can make plans for the evening as it unfolds. Best of all, there’s no need to stress about dressing up for an elegant dinner.

    Cute young woman in pajamas and in sweater with a deer standing with christmas present boxes and having fun on blue background.

    ruslanshramko/ Getty Images

  • Pie Party

    You can host a Friendsgiving event with a pie-themed twist. Set a guideline where each guest brings their best homemade pie, whether it’s pecan, pumpkin, apple, sweet potato, or any other variety. To add an extra element of fun, you might even consider arranging a pie-making competition, complete with a prize for the winner. Make sure to have some props on hand to enhance the overall experience.

    Happy African American mature woman carrying Thanksgiving pie while serving food to her family in dining room and looking at camera.

    Drazen Zigic/ Getty Images

  • Name Potluck

    Elevate your Friendsgiving potluck gathering by suggesting that each guest contribute a dish starting with the same letter as their first or last name. This fun and inventive twist ensures a unique meal you won’t come across elsewhere. Offering an unconventional and exciting experience.

  • Board Night

    The options are endless when it comes to serving trays and a touch of creativity, whether it’s the timeless charcuterie board featuring brie, elegant crackers, and jams, or the trending butter board. On social media, you’ll find countless instances of people rallying their friends to each bring their own unique board creation. The best part is you don’t have to cook if it’s not your thing. Some have even crafted boards featuring items like McDonald’s or donut holes.

  • Disney Inspired

    You and your guests can bring the enchanting dishes from Disney’s animated films to life in your own kitchen. Try your hand at crafting Tiana’s beignets from The Princess and the Frog, or making Snow White’s gooseberry pie, Aurora’s birthday cake, and others. Alternatively, you can draw inspiration from a variety of movies or TV shows to fashion a unique menu for your Friendsgiving gathering.

Debbie Nance is the afternoon co-host along with her husband on "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has been with the station for 18 years. Debbie is a CMA Award winner for Radio Personality of the Year. And, she has worked in radio for 40 years. Before her current afternoon position, Debbie spent more than a decade as co-host on morning shows in several markets across the Southeast. As a content creator for Country 1037, Debbie writes articles about food, new restaurants in the Carolinas and travel experiences.

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