“We believe in friendship, because friends who feel like family are the best kind of friends”—Magnolia 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 period 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!
Make a 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. Consider adding intentionality by sending physical, personal invitations to each of your guests. This could be a small note or an elaborate letter—either way, it’s sure to make their day! Additionally, collecting RSVPs can help with planning dishes, so you don’t end up with too many people and too little food, or vice versa.
Curate the Menu
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 together:
- Create a sign-up sheet for the group to share what dishes they plan on bringing. This is also a good way to ensure the overall menu stays cohesive, especially if you’re hoping for a traditional Thanksgiving spread.
- If traditional Thanksgiving dishes aren’t your thing, consider asking guests to make something with a theme in mind! 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!
- Invite 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, and meaningful, without serving 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 backdrop for taking pictures, DIY namecards, or holiday coloring sheets for the kiddos.
As the host, ensure your table is set with plenty of serving utensils and tabletop pieces, like dinnerware and flatware, drinking glasses, placemats, and linens. 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 table setting guide.)
Mark 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. Maybe this looks like encouraging the crew to unplug from their cell phones and reconnect with real life. It can be helpful to have some crafts and games on hand for everyone to enjoy together. 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.
SHOP KITCHEN + TABLETOP
MORE TO INSPIRE
Discover more ideas for gathering, right this way….
- How to Host a Fall Gathering
- A Collection of Thanksgiving Recipes
- How to Make Others Feel Welcome at Your Table
- Open Invitation: A Guide to Hosting an Intentional Thanksgiving
- Ways to Be a Good Guest
