It is about that time of year when people start raiding commissaries and grocery stores for green beans, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. If you are a military family, you might be more used to Friendsgiving and bringing together friends, old and new, around your table at your new duty station.
Gathering a hodge-podge mix of friends and acquaintances can create a hilarious and engaging day. Still, it’s also an excellent reminder to think ahead about what you may need with new people in the house. There are important things to prep: making sure the mac and cheese is done well, unthawing the turkey, and having enough chairs. One thing you might not think of is having the right kind of insurance in time for Friendsgiving. Curious why? Here are four reasons you’ll want specific types of insurance before the friends come for the food.
Is that pink in a good way, or…?
It’s essential to make sure that the person in charge of the turkey knows to dethaw it before the big day and cooks it all the way through. You’re odds of dying from food poisoning are relatively low, but it’s always good to be prepared. All in all, having Life Insurance is a wise idea before going into any eating adventure with people you met last month when you moved in.
No cheesy garlic potatoes for Cosmo.
Although your dog may want to enjoy the full Friendsgiving alongside you, it is not a great idea to feed your dog food from your plate, as different spices, including garlic and onions, can be harmful. Although people know not to, puppies often get snuck food under the table. Just in case someone decides Cosmo didn’t get enough kibble that morning, getting Pet Insurance from Armed Forces Insurance can give you peace of mind, so you don’t have to worry about a pricey vet bill on top of the price gouging of holiday food prices.
If you can’t handle the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
When cooking multiple dishes in one kitchen, you may need more room and get creative about where things are cooking. The risk of danger increases with numerous crock pots and fryers plugged in around the house, not to mention extra extension cords and power strips to make it all work. You’ll want Homeowners Insurance to cover you in case you blow a circuit, a fire starts because the deep fat fryer got left alone too long, or someone decides to release the stopper of the pressure cooker directly underneath your cabinetry.
Focus on the gold potatoes, not jewelry.
Although you always want to trust that everybody who comes into your home has good intentions, sometimes, when opening your home to Friendsgiving, there is a personality you didn’t expect, like your twice-divorced neighbor Sally’s sketchy boyfriend getting “lost” in the bedrooms for long stretches at your house and later realizing you can’t find your mom’s heirloom earrings anywhere. Keep your valuables in a safe or hidden place when you are hosting people over. Valuable Items Insurance can cover anything from wedding rings, to video game systems, and even TVs.
We don’t want to believe that any of the above can happen, but the truth is that every year during the holiday season, accidents do happen. It’s good to have the needed insurance to open up your doors and welcome people, knowing that you are protected and ready for a fantastic day of food, friends, and good memories.
This article is sponsored by Armed Forces Insurance. Since 1887, Armed Forces Insurance (AFI) has existed with a single, unwavering purpose: To protect the people who protect our nation. So for more than 136 years, we’ve provided military homeowner insurance, military renter insurance, military auto insurance and much more to our members. Let AFI’s dedicated agents shop our network of national carriers to find the best value and options to fit your needs.
Written by Aj Smit
Aj Smit is the author of the book Red Thread: Weaving an Embodied Life of Joy, speaker, glitter enthusiast, and professional weaver of Joy. She is a military spouse in S. Korea with a pup and houseplants galore. Aj has led various Red Tents, retreats, and workshops internationally over the last ten years to help others discover how to weave creativity and curiosity into their lives. You can find her on Facebook and Instagram at @TheJoyWeaver and TheJoyWeaver.com