“We believe in friendship, because friends who feel like family are the best kind of friends”—our manifesto
It’s almost that time of year again: laughter in the air, dirty dishes in the sink, full stomachs and full hearts. This is Thanksgiving.
This is the season that reminds us how important each moment we spend together truly is. Time slows down when the people you love come together to share a meal at your table. Although the holidays are often reserved for our closest circle, this season can also be an opportunity to nurture all kinds of relationships—and hosting an engaging Friendsgiving is a great first step. Whether with family or friends (or new acquaintances in between), this season ultimately creates community around the things worth celebrating: good food, good company, and gratitude for it all. Here’s to hosting your own!
Prepare the Plan
The first step in planning an engaging Friendsgiving is determining the guest list and the date. Many people travel for Thanksgiving, so you might have a bigger turnout if you host a week or two early—or even the weekend after!
Once you have decided on a date that works for you (and your guests), try to get a final headcount of who is coming. Add an extra touch of intentionality with physical, personal invitations for each of your guests. This could be a small note or an elaborate letter—either way it’s sure to make their day! You could also send out a virtual RSVP or keep a running list of guests. This can help the group plan out and portion dishes, so you don’t end up with too many people and too little food, or vice versa.
Choose the Cuisine
Now, it’s time to get cooking. If hosting solo isn’t your style, try inviting friends in on the fun! Here’s some inspiration for how to approach the menu for the evening:
- Like RSVPs, a sign-up sheet for Friendsgiving dishes could help the group plan appropriately. This is also a good way to ensure the overall menu stays cohesive, especially if you’re hoping for a traditional Thanksgiving spread.
- Maybe traditional Thanksgiving dishes aren’t your thing. You could still keep the menu cohesive by providing guests with a theme. This could range from a specific cuisine (like Italian or Mexican) to just one color (orange food only) or one type of food (just pasta, please). Get creative! Especially if Friendsgiving is an annual tradition for you and yours, this is a fun way to keep it feeling fresh every year—and give your guests a little surprise to look forward to!
- Another fun approach to a Friendsgiving menu is inviting each guest to bring their own family-favorite dish. Whether this is Grandma’s Green Bean Casserole, a family recipe for fatayer, or a Chicken Pho inspired by Asian heritage, this can be a great way to keep the menu open-ended for your guests without serving up too many duplicate dishes.
Set the Scene
Friendsgiving is a fun holiday to host—and even more so to decorate for. Pick up some pumpkins for a long-lasting display, or weave in some fresh or faux greenery for a colorful centerpiece. Consider incorporating elements based on the personalities of your guests. This could be a painted paper banner for taking pictures, DIY nameplates, a full bar or “house cocktail and mocktail” station, or holiday coloring sheets for the kiddos.
As the host, you’ll also have to take some additional steps for the actual meal. Ensure you have proper serving utensils and tableware, like baking dishes, a bread basket, pitchers, and placemats before your guests arrive. Each intentional element, on and off the table, can make your company feel welcome and comfortable. (P.S. If you’re looking for more tabletop inspiration, find it on our hosting guide.)
Make the Moment
Everything has gone according to plan: The table is set and seats are filled. The final step in hosting an engaging Friendsgiving is making the moment memorable. Sharing traditions reminds us to embrace the things that never change. Maybe this means encouraging the crew to unplug from their cellphones and reconnect with real life. This part of the evening could look different for every group, but it can be helpful to have some games, crafts, and conversation starters on hand prior to the party.
For games, we’d recommend getting back to the basics. Set a pack of playing cards on the table or set up some backpack cornhole off to the side. Reconnect with the childlike joy of the season with DIY projects for each guest to take home, like custom ornaments or handmade hand turkeys. Or maybe, take the opportunity to redirect guests towards gratitude and connection. Here are a few conversation starters to recenter your Thanksgiving table talk:
- If you could make your own holiday, what would it be?
- What is your favorite/least favorite Thanksgiving food?
- What holiday tradition do you enjoy the most?
- Talk about something you wish someone would ask you. (Think: What are you an expert in? What are you passionate about?)
- What are you most thankful for?
- What is your favorite memory from the year (so far)?
- Talk about where you hope you’ll be next Friendsgiving.
This special season only comes once a year. We hope this guide inspires you to set aside some time to make memories with the ones you love, especially the friends that feel like family.
