Seattle FriendsGiving Ideas & Fun Activities | Games, Football, Food and more!
As the Seattle area continues to grow and attract talent from many cities and countries, the need for ‘FriendsGiving’ events and activities continues to grow and become a trend. Many younger adults, especially those away from their families, or starting out their own families in a new city, can benefit from these type functions. Thus, ‘FriendsGiving’ events have sprung up all over and many of my friends will even ask me to smaller gatherings apart from Thanksgiving with friends equally. Enjoy this little piece with a few things to do over the Thanksgiving break.
Seattle Friendsgiving Events
Fremont FriendsGiving & IPA Release Party
Young Professionals of Seattle FriendsGiving Event
Seattle Dinner Spots for 11/22
Football | The 2018 ‘Apple Cup’ & 2018 ‘Civil War’
APPLE CUP — 11/23 @ 5:30pm / University of Washington (UW) Huskies vs Washington State University (WSU) Cougars @ Pullman, WA
It’s been an exciting year for College Football in the state of Washington! Washington State is enduring their best year of football in a very long time, taking the top seed (currently #8 in the AP Poll as of 11-12-18) and UW #25. This year’s Apple Cup, to be held at Martin Stadium in the bitter cold of Eastern Washington, will likely be one for the ages. As a former Coug (Class of 2000) I’m excited to see what transpired and who is awarded the Apple Cup this year…it’s never over til it’s over as we’ve learned!
Ticket info here
CIVIL WAR — 11/23 @ 1:00pm / University of Oregon (UO) Ducks vs Oregon State University (OSU) Beavers @ Corvallis, OR
Although both Oregon schools haven’t had the best of seasons, this game is always a classic and home field advantage has proved an important asset. Many times the (typically) underdog Beavers have upset a higher seed such as their victories over USC (University of Southern California) in recent years. Start your festivities before Apple Cup by tuning in for some exciting northwest action!
Volunteer Together!
There are many organizations and non-profits out there that could use assistance during the holiday season. A food bank, coat or food drive, Thanksgiving dinner events, and the such are just ideas of what might fit your wishes for being a volunteer this season.
VolunteerMatch.org | Searchable database allows you to filter results based on specific causes, as well as matches that are a good fit for kid and teen volunteers.
SeattleWorks.org | See all the local opportunities to Volunteer
VolunteerWashington.org | See all the Volunteer Opportunities
This is a Statewide site that lets you search volunteering opportunities and agencies seeking volunteers, filtered by county.
Northwest Harvest | Host a Food Drive!
You can hold a drive at your place of work, your office, social club, place of worship, or neighborhood grocery store, your children’s school, a restaurant or an event such as a birthday party or soccer game. Food drive events can range from one-day activities to month-long events to year-round collections..(keep reading on their site)
Fun Games You Might Enjoy as a Group
I’m not sure about you but I love a good game..or almost anything! If there was a game of who could drink their slurpee the fastest or run backwards with your shoes tied together up a hill I’d probably be IN! 🙂 Games are such a fun way to pass the time during friend and family gatherings, whether its the holidays or not. Here are just a few of what we thought you might like:
Jenga
A suspenseful game of a strikingly simple task – unstacking blocks. Starting with a tower of blocks alternatingly stacked in threes, the group takes turns removing blocks from the tower then placing them back on top of the tower. All blocks are fair game to grab except the top three. There are no winners in this game, only a single loser which makes the build up even more fun. The person who’s turn it is when the tower falls is the looser. Upgrade this tabletop game with a set of lawn jenga made of 2×4’s for a much more full body approach. Make the price for the winner of this game a gag gift for added laughs!
Heads Up
This tech focused game is essentially reverse charades – and with Ellen DeGeneres as a loyal user laughs are practically guaranteed. A quick app download and you’re good to go! Two teams will compete against each other for the highest score. Points are earned when the person with the phone to their forehead correctly guessed the words displayed from clues their team offers during game play.
Watch Ellen Degeneres & Owen Wilson
Never Have I Ever
For those who like low maintenance hosting this get to know you-type game helps break the ice between new friends and old, requiring nothing more than ten fingers! To start, simply everyone puts up their (hopefully) ten fingers and says a statement around, shared with the group starting with the phrase, “Never Have I Ever…” — Your party guests will then put a finger down for every statement they have done that turn, then the next person goes, and so on, until one person has the last finger standing. Note: Be certain to lay some ground rules down if you want to keep the conversation kosher, or don’t and see what your friends are really all about! LOL #wineoptional #laughingrequired
Musical Chairs
For the host who enjoys getting the group engaged in a very physical way, bring back a classic game paired with some of your favorite tunes. Set up a circle of chairs facing outward, enough for each participant…minus one! With a designated DJ, start the music to begin the round. As the group walks (or runs) around the circle waiting for the cue, pick a prime time to hit pause and watch your guests fight for a winning spot on a chair. Guaranteed to lead to laughing, potentially crying (or both at the same time). The person without a seat when to music stops is eliminated, and so is another chair! The final round will involve two contenders, one chair, and everyone cheering with the champion taking the final seat. Add a prize for the winner to take the competition up a notch..we’ve done shots, t-shirts, or no dishes for a week as prizes in the past (might’ve been college). **Disclaimer: Not suitable for anyone at risk of breaking a hip!
Poker
One of the common classic games many of us enjoy playing at all levels. There are so many variations of poker it’s seemingly limitless, such as ‘Follow the Queen’ or ‘Baseball’, both variations of the classic 7-card stud game. Or maybe you’d like to play ’42’, ‘3-5-7’, ‘Badugi’ or simply Texas Hold-em or 5-card draw, there’s a game for everyone! Just like at charity functions or work events, distributing play money chips and having prizes for the winner of a shorter tournament is usually a fun idea.
Cards Against Humanity (or the more tamer version: Apples to Apples)
Definitely a ‘cult classic’ of games invented in recent times, you’ll likely be laughing your tail off within minutes! Adults only for this one, or bring the teens in for Apples to Apples, both equally entertaining and two hours will fly by while you’re wiping the tears away. Cheers!
