Office Friendsgiving Activity Ideas for San Francisco Teams
A good office Friendsgiving activity in San Francisco is one that fits around the meal, gets people talking across teams, and ends with something to bring home. A one hour cupcake decorating session or a two hour cake decorating class does all three, and our team can run it at your office or host your group at our San Francisco studio.
Friendsgiving lunches are relaxed by design. The food is the main event, and the activity simply gives people a reason to stay at the table a little longer and meet someone new. Here is how to plan it.
Planner Summary
Ideal group size: up to 30 guests at our studio, larger groups at your office or venue.
Duration: about one to one and a half hours for cupcakes, about two hours for a cake decorating class.
Location: our San Francisco studio or your office anywhere in San Francisco and the Bay Area.
Included: pre baked cakes or cupcakes, American buttercream, custom frosting colors, tools, a professional instructor, assistant support, setup, cleanup and individual take home boxes.
Timing tip: Thanksgiving falls on November 26 this year, so most office Friendsgiving events land in the week of November 16 or on Monday through Wednesday of Thanksgiving week.
Choosing the Right Office Friendsgiving Activity Format
Cupcake decorating is the easiest fit for a Friendsgiving lunch. It takes about an hour, guests can decorate standing or seated, and it slides neatly before or after the meal. For larger offices, guests can come through in waves so the whole floor does not need to stop at once. We explain how waves work in our guide to cupcake decorating for large corporate groups.
A cake decorating class is the better choice when the activity is the centerpiece. Each guest decorates a four inch round or heart shaped cake, or a floral dome cake, with buttercream and piping tools. It runs about two hours, so it works well as an afternoon event with the meal served before or after.
If your team likes the idea of something more artistic, cake painting is another option. Guests paint a four inch cake with edible colors and palette knives in about an hour and a half.
A Simple Run of Show
Here is a schedule that works well for a midday Friendsgiving at the office.
11:00 AM: our team arrives, sets up decorating stations and mixes custom frosting colors.
12:00 PM: lunch is served and guests eat together.
12:45 PM: the instructor welcomes everyone and demonstrates the first technique.
1:45 PM: guests box their finished cupcakes or cakes, and our team handles cleanup.
You can flip the order if your caterer arrives later. The main thing is to keep food and decorating stations on separate tables so nothing gets crowded.
What Your Office Needs to Provide
The setup is light. We need tables with enough room for each guest to work, access to the room before guests arrive, and a little extra space near the stations where our assistant can manage cleanup. We bring the cakes or cupcakes, buttercream, piping bags, decorating tools and take home boxes.
If you have not hosted an activity like this before, our post on how to plan an office cake decorating event covers room layout in more detail.
Seasonal Colors and Branding
Autumn colors work beautifully for Friendsgiving: warm orange, deep red, gold and cream. We can mix frosting to match that palette, or to your brand colors if you prefer. Custom edible logos can also be added to cakes or cupcakes for a branded touch.
Making It Feel Like Friendsgiving
The best office Friendsgiving events feel a little like a family table. A few small touches help. Seat people from different teams together instead of letting departments cluster. Ask leaders to sit at the decorating tables rather than watching from the side. Give the finished cupcakes or cakes a moment of attention before everyone boxes them, so people can see the full table of designs.
You could also invite guests to set aside one decorated cupcake for a coworker who could not attend, which turns the activity into a small thank you. Simple ideas like these make the hour feel personal without adding work for the planner.
Dietary Planning for a Shared Meal
Friendsgiving brings together people with different needs. Vegan, egg free and gluten free options can be requested at least seven days before the event. Ask your team when you collect lunch preferences and pass the counts along with your final headcount.
How to Book Before the Holiday Rush
November dates near Thanksgiving are popular, so it helps to send an inquiry as soon as you have a date range. Olesia confirms availability and package details, usually within 24 hours for corporate inquiries. A 50 percent deposit secures the date, and the final guest count and remaining payment are due seven days before the event. Our team then coordinates arrival, setup, instruction and cleanup with your office manager.
FAQ
Can you come to our office for a Friendsgiving event?
Yes. We travel to offices and event venues throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area, including Oakland, San Mateo, Palo Alto and San Jose.
How long does the activity take?
Cupcake decorating takes about one to one and a half hours, and a full cake decorating class takes about two hours.
Do guests need decorating experience?
No. The instructor demonstrates every step, and the designs are planned for beginners.
What does each guest take home?
Every guest boxes their own decorated cupcakes or cake in an individual take home box.
How much does an office Friendsgiving activity cost?
Pricing depends on the format, group size and location. Send us your details and we will prepare a custom quote.
If you are planning an office Friendsgiving in San Francisco or the Bay Area, send us your date, headcount and location, and we will put together a custom quote for your team.
Planning a corporate team building event with Olesia Cake Studio in the Bay Area?
Send us your event details, and we’ll create a custom quote for your group.
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