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Last updated on December 17th, 2024

Every year, when Thanksgiving comes around, expectations of yummy feasts, laughter, and a feeling of joy permeate the air. Friends and families gather and exchange heartfelt stories and familiar banter, making great memories for years. Check out our top tips for creating the ultimate Friendsgiving gathering, and feel free to share your favorite Friendsgiving traditions with us in the comments.

 

What is Friendsgiving?

Friendsgiving is a large meal enjoyed with friends on Thanksgiving or in the days or weeks leading up to it. The timing and the rest of the details are completely up to you. The beauty of Friendsgiving is that there are no strict rules. It can be as casual or formal as you like, and no matter when, where, and how you decide to host, one thing is certain—Friendsgiving is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season with your closest crew. These Friendsgiving party ideas will help you get started!

 

How to Host a Friendsgiving

Thinking of hosting this year’s Friendsgiving in your new ���������� home? Follow our decoration ideas, menu planning tips, and the best games and activities for the ultimate Friendsgiving.

 

Friendsgiving Decoration Ideas

Decorating for the Friendsgiving feast helps set the festive mood and bring everyone together. Use our Friendsgiving theme ideas to make everyone feel grateful to be at the dinner table with their friends and loved ones.

Colors and Themes

Drawing up plans for your Friendsgiving table setting starts with inspiration, so begin by browsing Instagram or sketching your ideas in a notebook. You can brainstorm color combinations, themes, and centerpieces that add something extra to your guests’ experience, such as themed tablecloths or incorporating trinkets that have special meaning, such as those inspired by a favorite historical period or collected on your travels.

Modern fall table decor focuses on neutral or autumn shades and incorporates natural elements, like fall table decorations with pumpkins or leaves. Your Friendsgiving aesthetic doesn’t have to fall within the traditional constructs of Thanksgiving but can be your own.

����������’ latest fall design trends can be another source of inspiration for creating a vibrant setting with metallics or bold blues, reds, or oranges. 

Creative Seating Ideas

Create an immersive experience. Challenge guests to locate their place setting using a name card with clues that match an equal counterpart on the table. It’s an excellent icebreaker and a fun conversation starter for the whole group. 

Explore magazines, Pinterest boards, and blogs for seating ideas to make each place setting feel special. One of our favorites is inscribing guests’ names on unique materials, such as delicate parchment paper, rustic pinecones, or vibrant fall leaves. 

 

Consider These Friendsgiving Menu Ideas

There are three main food options for a Friendsgiving menu. Consider which works for you and your group, and give your guests plenty of time to prepare. 

Friendsgiving Potluck

The most traditional food arrangement calls for all attendees to bring a Friendsgiving side dish or dessert while the host maintains ownership of the core food, such as the turkey or a vegetarian or vegan main dish.  

Feast Takeover

If you want to take full advantage of your spacious kitchen or are simply passionate about cooking, you may want to take charge of the entire affair, including main dishes, assorted sides, and dessert. Prepare early and purchase all of the ingredients in advance. Draw on time-tested recipes from memory or a beloved cookbook to create the ultimate feast for your friends. A few of our favorite recipes can be found in our . You can even create the Friendsgiving potluck list and decide if you’d like guests to bring a favorite drink or be in charge of sweets. 

Crafty Catering

If cooking is not your forte, take the pressure off and hire a caterer. Relish in a dining experience that lets you and your guests feel relaxed. In your luxurious dining room, enjoy conversing throughout the evening without worrying about cleanup.

 

Friendsgiving After-Dinner Activities

Continue the conversation with after-dinner activities that delight and bring people together. Some traditional Friendsgiving game ideas include card games, charades, or karaoke. 

Amplify the event with an après-dinner mixology lesson hosted by an expert from an esteemed local restaurant. Take advantage of your upscale loft with a full bar or dally in a game of billiards from the comfort of your finished basement. 

 

Boost your Friendsgiving experience by spending time in more than just the dining room. Use your whole home to bring loved ones together and create joyous memories for years to come.