“Friendsgiving”

by Rachel Weaver

Turkey, mashed potatoes, and pie. Delicious food and the warmth of family. These are just a few things that come to mind when most people hear the word Thanksgiving. It’s a beautiful day, filled with family and full tummies. It can be a lonely day if you find yourself far away from loved ones. The good thing is that someone came up with a brilliant solution to this predicament: Friendsgiving. Although nothing can substitute the joy of being with family, Friendsgiving is the next best thing. It’s casual. It’s welcoming. It’s full of old friendships and new acquaintances.

We’ve all heard the story of the first Thanksgiving. Once upon a time in the early 1620s, the colonists and the Native Americans shared a feast to celebrate a successful autumn harvest. The two cultures came together and enjoyed a peaceful meal that encouraged unity, goodwill, and, of course, thankfulness. Friendsgiving is a new way to celebrate this very old tradition. The food is a bonus that we all look forward to, but Friendsgiving is about so much more than getting that turkey cooked just right. It’s about putting aside differences, coming together, and enjoying the company of others.

This is also what Camille Coton stands for. We believe in kindness, and we believe in helping others. Life is simply better when we experience it with others. There are many tendencies in our culture today to be exclusive and forget about the unity we have with the people around us. It’s easy to compare ourselves with others and focus on the division instead of togetherness. One of the goals of Camille Coton is to take a different approach. We want to encourage sharing instead of concealing, and love instead of separation.

If you’ve hosted or attended a Friendsgiving, you will probably agree that it’s full of fun and joy, and it’s a great reminder of the things we have to be thankful for. As you’re making your sweet potatoes with marshmallows or yummy pumpkin pie with whipped cream, remember that the real flavor in life is building relationships with people. It’s the best part of the holidays, and it’s what we look forward to most.

So ask yourself, what am I thankful for? Today we are thankful for the fullness of Friendsgiving. It’s full of love, full of life, and full of food. However you choose to celebrate, we hope that you make beautiful memories during this wonderful holiday.

For more information on how to throw the perfect Friendsgiving, head over to the CBS DFW website.