How To Plan An Awesome Friendsgiving Event!
Friendsgiving is hands down one of the best ways to kick off the holiday season with good friends, good food, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting. It’s like Thanksgiving, but with all the people you chose to have in your life. Plus, you get to do things your way—no Aunt Linda asking why you’re still single or politely pretending you love someone’s unique casserole. Planning Friendsgiving may sound a bit intimidating, but with some creativity and prep, you’ll host an epic evening your friends will remember (and want repeated every year).
So grab your notebook (or phone/laptop whatever works best for you), and let’s get planning!
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How To Plan An Awesome Friendsgiving Event!
Tips for planning Friendsgiving celebrations:
1. Choose Your Date Wisely
Since Thanksgiving itself is prime time for family gatherings, Friendsgiving is typically hosted a week or two before (or sometimes after). Aim for a weekend if possible—it gives everyone the luxury of staying late without worrying about work the next day.
Also, if you’re really close with your friends, you could send out a group text or poll (try a google survey!) for the best date so everyone can mark their calendars and keep it free. Once you have a date, send out a digital invite or event on social media. You could even create a cute theme for the invitations to add some flair and let everyone know that, yes, this is a big deal.
2. Divide and Conquer the Menu
Friendsgiving is all about the food, but this is not the time for you to take on the entire Thanksgiving feast solo. Let’s be real: cooking a turkey and coordinating a full dinner is a full-time job. Instead, make it a potluck! Everyone can sign up for a dish, and it also adds a personal twist when each friend brings something unique to the table. You can go classic (turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes) or switch things up and have a theme like “Thanksgiving with a Twist,” where everyone gets creative with traditional recipes.
Make a shared document or use an app to track who’s bringing what—there’s nothing worse than showing up to find five green bean casseroles but no dessert. To keep things fair, assign categories: appetizers, side dishes, mains, desserts, and beverages. Pro tip: make sure someone’s in charge of the rolls. You’d be surprised at how easy it is to forget those little carb-filled delights until the last minute!
3. Get Creative with Decor
Friendsgiving decor doesn’t need to be over-the-top (unless you’re really into holiday styling, in which case, go for it). For a cozy, inviting vibe, think rustic chic—candles, pumpkins, autumn leaves, fairy lights, and maybe a cute “Friendsgiving” banner.
You could go DIY and collect some fall leaves or pinecones for a natural look, or just hit up a dollar store for budget-friendly decor. It’s about making it feel festive and special, not necessarily fancy. And don’t forget about the table settings! Even simple things like napkin rings or place cards can make the meal feel more special. If you have a creative friend, rope them into helping you make this the prettiest Friendsgiving yet.
4. Set the Vibe with a Playlist
The right playlist is the key to any good party, and Friendsgiving is no exception. Start with some mellow background tunes while everyone’s arriving and catching up. Think classic soft rock, mellow indie, or acoustic favorites—anything that keeps the vibe warm and chill. Then, once everyone’s settled and the food coma starts to set in, you can kick up the tempo with some fun singalongs or party anthems. You could even add a few “throwback” songs for laughs and nostalgia. Bonus points if you make the playlist collaborative so guests can add their favorite songs!
5. Drinks: Keep it Cozy
Set up a simple drink station with wine, cider, or a classic fall cocktail, like spiked apple cider or pumpkin-spiced sangria. Make it self-serve so people can top up as needed, and have non-alcoholic options, like sparkling water or a festive mocktail. If you want to take it up a notch, create a little “mix-your-own cocktail” station with various juices, syrups, and mixers.
Friendsgiving is about enjoying each other’s company without fuss, so keep it relaxed and let people serve themselves and make their preferred drinks!
6. Make Room for the Feast (and Comfy Seating)
If you’re hosting in a small space, consider rearranging your furniture to accommodate a big feast setup. The food might be the star of the night, but creating a cozy and comfortable environment makes all the difference. If you’re low on seating, grab a few extra chairs or consider floor seating with blankets and pillows for a boho-chic vibe. Just make sure there’s enough space for everyone to dig into their plates without juggling their food on their lap (unless that’s the vibe you’re going for).
7. Have Fun with Table Topics
A great way to keep everyone engaged and laughing is to set up some fun conversation starters. You can get creative with this by writing silly prompts on slips of paper that people draw from a bowl. Questions like, “What’s your funniest Thanksgiving story?” or “If you could invite any celebrity to Friendsgiving, who would it be?” are great ice-breakers, especially if you have guests who might not know each other well. Plus, after a couple of cocktails, these usually lead to hilarious stories and unforgettable memories.
8. Plan for Food Overload with Take-Home Containers
Friendsgiving often results in a feast that no one can finish, so be prepared for leftovers! Pick up some take-home containers so everyone can bring home a bit of the feast. Not only will your guests appreciate the extra food, but it also means you won’t be left with a fridge full of mashed potatoes and gravy that you have to tackle alone. It’s a win-win, plus leftovers are one of the best parts of Thanksgiving food, right?
9. Games and Entertainment
Nothing breaks the post-dinner food coma quite like a good game or two! Whether it’s a board game, a hilarious round of charades, or even a movie, games bring everyone together and keep the energy up. Consider some classics, or even holiday-themed games if you want to keep the festive spirit going.
If you’re a movie fan, throw on a classic comedy or a cozy holiday movie to set the mood after the meal.
10. Wrap Up with Gratitude
Friendsgiving is all about celebrating the people in your life that you’re grateful for. Before everyone leaves, take a moment to share something you’re thankful for. It’s a small gesture, but it’s a perfect way to end the night on a heartfelt note. You could even make it a tradition where everyone writes down what they’re thankful for, and you read them aloud together.
Korra The Explorer
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