How to host Friendsgiving: 10 tips for a stress-free dinner
A combination of “friends” and “Thanksgiving,” Friendsgiving blends the traditional components of a Thanksgiving feast with the casual warmth of a night with friends, coworkers, or neighbors. Celebrated in November, usually before Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving is typically a less formal event focused on friendship—and of course, plenty of delicious food.
With a little preparation and creativity, planning Friendsgiving can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. From sending festive invitations to curating the perfect menu, we’ve gathered Friendsgiving ideas to make a memorable, delicious holiday celebration.
1. Choose a date for your Friendsgiving feast
Friendsgiving is often celebrated the weekend before Thanksgiving—which is between November 20th and 22nd this year. But you don’t have to host your gathering on a specific day. Instead, pick whatever date in November works for you and your crew, whether it’s a low-key weeknight dinner, a Sunday afternoon brunch, or a fun cocktail night. Here are some additional Friendsgiving scheduling tips:
- If you have a regular meetup time, consider scheduling your Friendsgiving in place of your usual get-together.
- You could also host on Thanksgiving Day, especially if you and your friends don’t plan to spend the holiday with family.
2. Decide on a Friendsgiving theme
There are no rules on how to host Friendsgiving—that’s the fun of it! When deciding between Friendsgiving themes, choose one as unique as your chosen family:
- Potluck: Have guests bring their favorite dishes—and recipe cards to swap after the table has cleared.
- Movie night: If your friends love film or TV, invite them to wear their comfiest pajamas and turn Friendsgiving into a cozy viewing party.
- Brunchgiving: Opt for pancakes and syrup over turkey and stuffing with a brunchgiving feast. Comforting breakfast foods like bacon, eggs, and waffles always hit the spot—no matter the time of day.
3. Send Friendsgiving invitations early
After you set the date, assemble your squad with Friendsgiving invitations. With Paperless Post, you can choose a unique design that perfectly complements your gathering.
- Highlight the coziness of autumn with a lively print, like “Mushroom Fairies” by Nathalie Lété, or add a little wit to your potluck invite with “Terms and Conditions” by emnoelleDESIGN.
- Craft a fun Friendsgiving message that gets your guests excited for the occasion.
- Use Guest Questions to ask about food preferences or dish contributions, especially for a Friendsgiving potluck. After sending invitations, add Guest Tags to categorize guests by their dietary needs or the dish they’re bringing.
- Send broadcast messages with updates and reminders as you get closer to the date—it’s always appreciated during the busy holiday season!
4. Curate your Friendsgiving menu
Planning a Friendsgiving menu is just like crafting a Thanksgiving menu—only friendlier! Make your Friendsgiving a potluck dinner or, if you’re feeling ambitious, prep the whole meal yourself.
- Pick your main dish, whether it’s a traditional turkey or something unconventional like pizza, barbecue ribs, or a stew brimming with seasonal flavors.
- Prepare plenty of sides that suit everyone’s taste, so your vegan or kosher friends can also enjoy the meal. Flavorful vegetables, crisp salads, and comforting carbs like biscuits or potatoes always hit the right notes.
- If you’re planning a potluck, coordinate with your guests to ensure there’s enough variety. Use Guest Questions or send a potluck sign-up sheet in a Links Block, so each guest can share what they plan to bring and avoid overlap.
- Save the best for last with a dessert spread that has a little something for everyone. Nostalgic classics like pumpkin or apple pie are always delicious (and easy).
5. Create a signature Friendsgiving drink
’Tis the season to celebrate! Create a signature cocktail or mocktail to toast to a Friendsgiving well spent.
- Prepare drinks that are easy to make in large batches, like a cozy hot toddy or spiked cider.
- If the fall weather is warmer in your neck of the woods, keep it crisp with a refreshing drink like a gin spritz. Toss in a few frozen cranberries and sprigs of rosemary for a botanical touch.
6. Set up your Friendsgiving table decorations
Set the table—and the tone—for a warm, inviting atmosphere with fall colors, textures, and accents.
- Layer warm tones of orange and auburn over a white or cream table covering.
- Set out gold flatware and glassware for a polished yet casual table setting.
- Include candles and natural elements like miniature pumpkins, pine cones, or fresh flowers for added autumnal ambiance.
- Personalize the scene with place cards and a small token for everyone—a handwritten note or miniature candle will surprise and delight your guests.
7. Compile a Friendsgiving playlist
Christmas music may get all the glory, but a Friendsgiving playlist can be just as catchy. (Of course, you can always sneak a few Christmas songs in for some early holiday spirit.)
- Select your favorite songs that evoke a warm, autumnal feel, like “Autumn in New York” by Billie Holiday or Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “Thanksgiving Song.”
- Include sly nods to the occasion with “Stretchy Pants” by Carrie Underwood or “Thank You For Being A Friend” by Andrew Gold.
- Add a playlist link in your Friendsgiving invitation with a Links Block so guests can add their favorite tunes.
8. Plan post-Friendsgiving entertainment
After the meal, keep the party going with Friendsgiving games! You can even create a little friendly competition with fun prizes for the winners to keep things interesting.
- Classic games like Charades or Pictionary get the creativity and competition flowing, while board games are perfect for a relaxing post-dinner hang.
- Test your friends’ general knowledge by turning Friendsgiving into a spirited trivia night.
- For a crafty crew, set up a DIY station to decorate miniature pumpkins or wreaths.
9. Share what you’re thankful for this year
Just because you remove “thanks” from the word doesn’t mean you’re not feeling thankful. Friendsgiving is a great reminder to tell your found family how special they are to you.
- Invite guests to write notes of appreciation for each other, or add a Comment Wall to your Friendsgiving invitation and ask everyone to leave a note expressing what they’re thankful for.
- Compile the responses and create a collage of the notes of gratitude, leaving guests with a lasting memory of a lovely Friendsgiving spent together.
10. Send your guests home happy
It’s only right to end Friendsgiving on a thoughtful note. Send guests home with a small gift to take home along with a night full of memories—and a thankful smile.
- Gift your guests small party favors, such as recipe cards from the meal, a seasonal candle and customized box of matches, or a jar of local honey.
- Snap some photos and share them on social media (don’t forget to tag everyone!) or send them out later as prints.
Friendsgiving hosting timeline
Planning the timing of Friendsgiving can be tricky, especially when it comes to coordinating multiple schedules during the busiest time of year. Use this timeline when preparing for your upcoming fête:
- 3 weeks out: Choose a date. Pick a day and time that works for everyone so nobody gets left out of the celebration.
- 2 weeks: Send out invitations. Include Guest Questions so guests can share what, if anything, they plan to bring. This makes things easier for them—and you!
- 1 week: Plan the menu. While turkey is traditional for Thanksgiving, don’t be afraid to think outside of the box with food options that will satisfy and impress the whole guest list.
- 1 day: Arrange the details. Finalize the confirmed guest list, prepare the décor, and curate the playlist so that everything is in place for tomorrow.
- Day of: Prepare for an unforgettable time. Set the place settings, cue the music, and make sure dinner is hot and ready to go!
FAQ
When is Friendsgiving?
While Friendsgiving is often celebrated the weekend before Thanksgiving, there are no rules about when you should host your party. Choose a day that works best for all of your guests, anytime in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.
What do you bring to Friendsgiving?
If the Friendsgiving is a potluck, hosts can use Guest Questions to ask invitees what dish they plan to bring. Hosts may choose to provide the main dish while guests can bring complementary side dishes. Not a chef? A bottle of wine or a nice dessert is always a safe bet.
What do you serve at Friendsgiving instead of turkey?
While turkey is the traditional main course for a Thanksgiving feast, a Friendsgiving dinner should be tailored to your friend group’s taste. The main course can be anything: ham, chicken, even takeout from your crew’s favorite restaurant. There’s no wrong way to celebrate—as long as you’re together.
Host an unforgettable Friendsgiving with Paperless Post
With careful planning and a few Friendsgiving hosting tips, your gathering will warm guests’ hearts and leave them with lasting memories (and full bellies). However you approach your festivities, Paperless Post is here to help make the holiday even more special. Easily customize and send Friendsgiving invitations that make guests feel welcome right away, so you can focus on enjoying the company of your nearest and dearest.
Friendsgiving kicks off the holiday season and sets a warm, welcoming tone for the months ahead. Whether you’re hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, Hanukkah celebration, or Christmas party, turn to Paperless Post to elevate any occasion.
Bring your chosen family together for a delicious feast with invitations you can send instantly.
