If you’re looking to host the best Friendsgiving ever, you’re in the right place. We’ve curated Friendsgiving ideas to help you a party that’ll be one for the books. Without the stress that comes with planning a party.
Friendsgiving is more than a holiday mashup. It’s a full-on celebration with a different kind of vibe and energy. Unlike the family-focused Thanksgiving, during Friendsgiving, we get to hang out with our chosen tribe, make inappropriate jokes, laugh, and appreciate the bonds we’ve built over the years.
Friendsgiving is growing in popularity. Why? Simple. Friends are your family, without the drama. No one will judge you if you bring a store-bought pie. Everyone gets a comfy seat at the table, whether they bring a feast or just themselves. Good vibes are enough at this table.
Traditionally, Thanksgiving is steeped in family traditions and mandatory dinner tables. As much as I love this holiday, sometimes I dread all the work that comes with it. Hours of cooking and endless dishes.
Friendsgiving flips that script and offers freedom and flexibility. You get to create a new tradition, centered around laughter, inside jokes, and maybe some epic karaoke sessions. No more spending the whole day in the kitchen while everyone else has mad fun.
Here are some awesome Friendsgiving ideas centred on friendship, gratitude, and a tasty slice or two of fun.
How to Plan Your Friendsgiving (Dates, Themes, and Invitations)
Choosing the right date can be tricky. It’s best to consider everyone’s schedule. The best time is sometime in November when your friends aren’t already overloaded with Thanksgiving prep or holiday shopping. Bonus points if you can settle on a weekend, maybe after Thanksgiving when everyone is more relaxed and ready for a relaxed hangout.
Once you nail the date, the next item on your list is choosing a theme. A theme will help make the event memorable. Here, the options are endless. Whether you want something quirky like ‘Pajama Party’ Friendsgiving or a color-coded theme, it’s all about setting the vibe and making the night feel special. Having a theme will help you streamline décor, food presentation, and even dress codes.
Invitations
With the date and theme done, our next item on the list is sending invitations. After all, we must invite our friends if we want them to show up. Choose digital or e-invites to make the process easy and quick for you. Apps like Canva or Paperless Post have tons of templates, and since it’s about friends, feel free to play with the message and add some wit. Puns and all.
Here you have zero obligations. The people on your guest list should be people you genuinely like hanging out with. The guest list is your squad. Focus on people who add positivity and won’t ruin the whole Friendsgiving
Remeber that it’s equally important to keep the guest list manageable. And don’t forget RSVPs. Having a clear head count will help with planning portions and seating arrangements.
Try to incorporate your friends’ favorite traditions from their own Thanksgiving into the Friendsgiving event. Doing so can make the event more meaningful. Whether it’s a classic dish, a favorite song, or a certain board game, these personal touches will bring everyone together and help create a shared story you’ll want to relive year after year.
What to Cook
Deciding your menu can be a daunting task. Food is after all the most important part of the event. But take it easy. Choose versatile dishes that are easy to prepare and just as good. Think mashed potatoes or pies.
Here are some easy Friendsgiving food ideas:
- Thanksgiving chicken. Chicken is the perfect shortcut if you will be hosting a small group. Make this garlic butter chicken and enjoy all the Thanksgiving turkey vibes but with turkey’s smaller sister.
- Green beans. I love green beans because they are tasty, easy to put together, and are a perfect side for almost everything. I simply toss mine in butter, lemon, pepper, and salt, and we’re ready to go.
- Mashed potatoes. Another favorite on my list. They are tasty, easy to make, and go with almost everything. Make sure you make enough because your guests will keep asking for more.
- Sweet potato casserole. To make your work even easier, make this crockpot sweet potato casserole recipe. Just throw everything in there and let it slow cook. Yay to less work and minimal dishes.
- Cauliflower. When made correctly, cauliflower is so tasty it may steal the spotlight. Don’t believe me? Try it and see. Here are 49 cauliflower recipes you can choose from.
- Corn souffle. This souffle is always a hit. You can make it in the morning and let it sit on the stovetop loosely covered with foil.
- Orange or lemon cake. These two are crowd-pleasers. They are easy to make and so yummy, everyone will want a second slice. Perfect way to finish your Friendsgiving dinner. You don’t have to frost these lovelies. Just sprinkle icing sugar with lemon or orange zest and you’re good to go. These cake are that good.
Coming up with your Friendsgiving menu should be a fun adventure. You can choose to have classic must-haves like turkey or the plant-based alternative du jour sitting center stage. Then let the side dishes also shine bright. You may have stuffing, mashed potatoes, and the good ol’ green bean casserole.
Remember to consider those with dietary needs. Have some tasty vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options so that everyone will be happy and fed. Creating a balanced menu that accommodates everyone is just good hosting vibes.
Ideas on How to Host a Stress-free Friendsgiving
As much as Friendsgiving is laid back, it’s still hosting and will come with its share of hosting nerves. With the menu out of the way, here are some Friendsgiving ideas to help ease the nerves.
- Prep what you can in advance. Start marinating the day before, wash and prepare veggies, measure out ingredients, set the table, etc. Anything you can do before, please do it to reduce your workload on the actual Friendsgiving day.
- Set the scene with a cozy, welcoming setup. Whether it’s a snazzy tablecloth, mismatched but charming dinnerware, or funky centerpieces, a well-thought-out table will make the meal feel special and encourage those good vibes to fly around.
- What’s going in the oven, on the stove, and on the grill? Planning this beforehand can help you cook at least three dishes at a go. You could delegate someone to grill the turkey or chicken as you prepare potatoes on the stove. At the same time, your pie could be baking.
- Embrace outsourcing—dessert from your favorite bakery, friends bringing potluck, or extra seating from a rental place.
Delegate!
Ask for help. Ask one or two friends to come over in advance and help you prepare.
Have a schedule. For example, you could have someone on potato duty from 2 pm to 3 pm and have another one come in to marinate from 3 pm. This way, you’ll prevent chaos in the kitchen and your dishes will come together at the right time.
I especially love potluck because it takes off some hosting stress and lets everyone bring a piece of their culinary magic. You can assign a dish to each guest or let them pick from a list. Just make sure not everyone is bringing dessert unless that’s the plan!
Have a beverage manager. Often overlooked, this tip will save you a lot of hustle. This person will be responsible for ensuring everyone gets refills as needed and the ice situation is handled. A beverage manager can also help you manage costs, as they can call everyone beforehand to know what they will be drinking. This way, you’ll buy only what’s needed.
Assign someone on dish duty. No one likes to do the dishes, but it’s a necessity. After you have prepared a wonderful meal, let someone else take charge of cleaning up. Decide who that someone will be well in advance.
With almost all Friendsgiving preparations out of the way, it’s almost time to start welcoming your guests.
Your goal is to be in that chill mood where everyone’s tummy is full, everything is running smooth and you are enjoying Friendsgiving just as much as your guests.
Cheers to Friendship: How to Select the Perfect Drinks for Friendsgiving
To elevate the Friendsgiving experience, have a curated drinks menu. Whether you’re mixing up cocktails or serving non-alcoholic delights, it doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Simple mixers or garnishes like mint or orange rind can take your Friendsgiving game a notch higher. Consider drink options like spicy apple cider, mulled wine, or a tangy cranberry punch to capture the essence of the night.
Signature cocktails can make the evening stand out. Something simple like a cranberry mojito or a spiced bourbon apple fizz brings in the festive spirit with a twist.
BYOB will help set a relaxed, open vibe and let guests showcase their favorite drinks. Just check in with them in advance to ensure a good variety of options, from beers to wine, or perhaps a standout bourbon.
Mocktails ensure everyone is taken care of and can toast and enjoy the celebration. Get creative with mixers, garnishes, and presentation – a rosemary-infused lemonade can look just as stunning as that cranberry mojito.
Pair drinks with your meal to elevate your guest experience even higher. Pairing isn’t just for wine connoisseurs. Simple pairings like a crisp white wine with turkey or a full-bodied red with meat-free dishes will enhance the dining experience, even for beginners.
Friendsgiving Ideas for Fun, Games, and Gifting
Games are the life of the party. Friendsgivings included.They bring everyone together and break any initial awkwardness. Think classics like charades or a themed trivia game to test everyone’s knowledge on Friendsgiving facts or shared memories. The goal? To get your guests laughing.
Here’s another helpful Friendsgiving idea to break the ice—a gratitude circle. Having one before diving into the meal can be a heartfelt way to spread the good vibes and get people in the Friendsgiving mood. Each person can mention something or someone they’re thankful for. This will add a perfect touch to the evening’s warmth.
Again, music is your friend. It will help set the mood. Curate a playlist that reflects your friends’ tastes, with some mellow tunes for dining and upbeat tracks for later. You could even take requests and let the night’s soundtrack evolve. When you’re delegating tasks, you can decide to appoint a DJ to take the pressure of your back.
Another great tip is to mix downtime with planned activities to keep the energy balanced. Let folks unwind over drinks or catch up in smaller groups, then bring everyone together for a group game or sing-along to keep the fun rolling.
And finally, on ideas for Friendsgiving gifts, there’s no pressure. But small tokens of appreciation can go a long way. Consider something simple. Maybe a homemade treat, a set of coasters for the host, or a small quirky gift that reminds you of your crew.
November is one of the greatest times of the year. It’s when we get those tablecloths and fancy dishes out of storage. With these simple ideas, I hope you throw the best Friendsgiving party ever. From delegating to planning ahead and outsourcing, hosting your friends can be fun.
Remember that the goal of this holiday is to appreciate your circle and have fun. So please don’t spend the whole time in the kitchen. Go out there and have some mad fun with your tribe. You have earned it.
You’re well on your way to throwing the best Friendsgiving party yet. And just in case impostor syndrome or doubt creeps in, here are amazing quotes to remind you that you got this!
