Katherine Schwarzenegger Shares Her Thanksgiving Family Recipes And Reveals How Throw The Perfect Friendsgiving

Katherine Schwarzenegger stopped by the Today show to talk about her family's Thanksgiving traditions and share a few simple recipes for the holiday season. She has also recently talked about how to throw the perfect "Friendsgiving" event this year.

"Everyone around the holidays, especially as you get older, like I'm getting, you want to be able to do things with your family and include all generations," Katherine explained on the Today show while showing Savannah Guthrie how to create a simple holiday cider that her whole family drinks (see the recipe below). "You can add alcohol to that if you're over 21," she added.

The InStyle contributing editor also shared her mother, Maria Shriver's go-to holiday recipe, which is baked Brie with cranberries and pecans (see the video below). The 24-year-old also recently added a story to her personal blog on how to create the perfect "Friendsgiving," sharing food tips and simple décor options like using pumpkins as centerpieces and seasonal flowers.

"Getting to spend Thanksgiving with my family is great. There's nothing better than spending time together and celebrating family traditions over a big yummy meal. However, as you get older, you create strong bonds with friends, and they become like family, so it's only natural to want to spend the holidays with them as well," the University of Southern California graduate wrote on her blog.

"Hosting a Friendsgiving is a great way to celebrate with some of your favorite people and making sure everyone plays a part in the fun!" Her tips include making the event a potluck, keeping the décor simple, send out invites with three weeks notice and lastly have it be the start to your Christmas season.

"It may be a little early for a Christmas tree, but turning on your favorite holiday music will get everyone in the celebratory spirit," she explained. "I start Nov. 1 with the Christmas music, which I know is crazy early, but it just puts me in such a happy mood! I can't think of a better way to spend an evening than with Bing Crosby singing in the background as you enjoy a meal with friends."

Check out one of Katherine's holiday recipes below.

Apple-Cinnamon Cider

Ingredients:
4-5 cups apple juice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Garnish: cinnamon sticks and apple slices

Directions:
1. In a small pot heat the apple juice and spices over low/medium heat. Stir often while the mixture is heating so the spices will blend into the juice.
2. Once it's hot, pour into mugs and garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy