Hosting a Heartfelt Gratitude Brunch: A Simple and Soulful Alternative to Friendsgiving

The Art of Gathering

The Beauty of Simple Gatherings

For years I have gathered with women around the table monthly. We sit together opening our hearts as we break bread and create space for our souls to inhale the graces God has given each of us. In all these years, over and over I am reminded that simplicity will always be the best way to welcome guests. I am a dreamer and a table visionary; I dream of beautiful scapes filled with intricate delicacies. I have brought these dreams to life in elaborate and detailed gatherings. But the simple, welcoming and heart-opening table will always be my favorite. The tablescapes that come together after our friends have arrived and our hands—in unison—have set the feast.

November lends itself beautifully to gathering with friends. My table has seen co-workers, neighbors, new friends and old all united around Friendsgiving. The laughter has been contagious, the food has been delicious, and our souls have been nurtured. But if I am being honest I always leave exhausted. A simpler way to gather and give thanks together without overdoing it became my ambition. Why not gather in gratitude in the morning? I love this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, “I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.” So, why no gather in the morning with friends every once in a while.

A Fresh Take on Friendsgiving

I know Friendsgiving has been all the rage in recent years, but may I propose a refreshing alternative? Create a slow, simple morning lingering around the table giving thanks with friends over a Gratitude Brunch. Leave aside the laborious creation of a Thanksgiving meal and instead let friendship nurture your souls while the ease of brunch provides space to breathe.

Brunch is a meal that can be planned and curated ahead of time. The easy prep allows all attendees to contribute. A yogurt parfait bar with coffee and pastries offers a rich and indulgent spread without all the toil of cooking. Invite guests to choose what they would like to bring. If they want to arrive early to help set up, the extra time together can cultivate connection. Bonds can form over cutting up fruit and hunting for glasses or spoons, reaching into the hearts of your guests. They feel included and are put at ease, able to relax and share in the moment.

Setting the Scene: Creating a Welcoming Table

Here are some simple details and a tasty recipe to help you craft the perfect Gratitude Brunch this season! Say this season because you don’t have to make this friend’s gathering happen in November but you have the freedom to come together for gratitude anytime. As you think through when to have your brunch let’s look at to what you would need to help you plan ahead.

The Food

For the yogurt bar, make sure to have a wonderfully rich vanilla yogurt for a base, fresh berries, and granola. Our cozy pumpkin spice granola recipe will bring out the delicious flavors of the season. Prepare the granola the day before, but be forewarned—it will be a fight to not eat it all before the event!

Remember to leave space on the serving table for your guests to place their pastries or other food offerings. Set out a few platters to set up pastries, as well as bowls for the berries and granola. Clear, small glasses are a beautiful way to display the parfaits’ layered appearance. Be sure to have extra serving utensils on hand.

The Drink Station

Place the drinks in a designated space where guests can help themselves to coffee, tea, water, or juice. Ideally, the drink station shouldn’t be located too close to the yogurt set-up to help ease the flow of traffic. For a yummy, no-fuss hostess drink: Use clear pitchers, add a ¼ cup (60 ml) of frozen fruit in the bottom, then fill to the top with sparkling water.

The Gathering

As you spend time together, it can be easy and tempting to let the conversation stay at surface level. Encourage meaningful conversation by preparing two or three questions to help your friends go deep and share their hearts. In this season, many of us are more purposeful in our gratitude. As the hostess, make sure to lead by answering the questions yourself to help put guests at ease. Always pray for your guests beforehand, asking the Lord to prepare their hearts to find Jesus around the table. And as you seek to ready your own heart, meditate on this sweet prayer: “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalms 19:14, NIV).

The Conversation Starters

1 What is one thing that has surprised you this fall?

2 How is the Lord calling you to gratitude in the waiting?

3 Describe an event in which you felt completely present and realized that meals were more than just about eating?

“I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Recipe

Healthy Pumpkin Spice Nut Granola (Gluten-Free, No Added Sugar)

INGREDIENTS

1 Cup Raw Almonds

1 Cup Raw Cashews

1 Cup Raw Walnuts

½ Cup Pumpkin Seeds

1 Cup Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

1 Tablespoon Chia Seeds

1 Tablespoon Flaxseed Meal (optional)

½ Teaspoon Fine Sea Salt

½ Tablespoon Ground Cinnamon

½ Tablespoon Pumpkin Spice

½ Cup Raisins

½ Heaping Cup Pumpkin or Butternut Squash Puree

¼ Cup Nut Butter (I used cashew)

2 Tablespoons Melted Coconut Oil

2 Teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract

⅓ Cup Maple Syrup or Honey

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, then line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place all three cups of nuts in the food processor, then pulse several times to chop into a chunky granola texture. Take care to not over process—you do not want a blended nut powder.
Transfer the chopped nuts to a larger bowl, then stir in the pumpkin seeds, coconut flakes, chia seeds, flaxseed meal, raisins, ground cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and sea salt.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin or squash puree, nut butter, coconut oil, vanilla, and maple syrup (or honey) until combined.
Pour wet mixture into the bowl with dry ingredients and mix well with a wooden spoon, turning it over several times.
Transfer to the parchment-lined baking sheet, pressing down evenly. It’s okay if it clumps together.
Place the baking sheet in the oven for three hours, stirring every 15-20 minutes (just enough to ensure nothing burns).
After three hours, remove the baking sheet and let it cool completely. Serve immediately after cooling or store in an airtight container. Granola does not need to be refrigerated.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

-You can substitute any nuts you have on hand.

-Save some time by buying your nuts pre-chopped.

-I normally roast a butternut squash or pumpkin, but canned pumpkin is an easy substitute.

-For an even healthier version, leave out the syrup. The chia seeds will also help it to stick together. Alternately, add ½ cup pitted dates and pulse it with the nuts for a bit more sweetness, if eliminating syrup.

-This granola also makes a great gift for the holidays

I hope you enjoy your time with friends and that together you spur each other on in gratitude.

Gracefully,

A Simple Charcuterie Guide

What a perfect time to start honing your charcuterie skills! I have just the right thing to help you feel ready and confident while you gather. I created this simple and beautiful charcuterie guide for you. In my opinion it’s cute enough to display and then it would always be available for you! Plus, I am always honored to offer you practical content for purposeful and life giving time around the table. Check it out by clicking on the graphic below!

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