12 different ways to celebrate Friendsgiving
Around 2007, “Friendsgiving” became a way to describe American-Thanksgiving-themed dinner parties for young people who were away from family: International students stuck in college dorms during the holiday, young professionals who couldn’t fly home, and people estranged from family, for one reason or another, to name a few. Over the years, though, Friendsgiving has become a way for people to celebrate the traditionally family-oriented holiday with friends, regardless of their family situation. It’s become an unofficial holiday that can either supplement or compliment the traditional one.
But not all Friendsgiving events look the same. These casual gatherings can take on many different forms and styles. If you’re thinking about planning one, know that it can be as hands-on or hands-off as you want it.
Here are a bunch of different Friendsgiving dinner party ideas you may want to consider:
Advertisement
Unknown ad format.
Classic Friendsgiving Ideas
Traditional Thanksgiving: This kind of Friendsgiving tries to mimic the traditional Turkey Day menu and vibes. It’s a dinner with a centerpiece poultry (usually turkey or chicken) and classic sides, including stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, etc. This kind of Friendsgiving might be especially appealing to friends who are originally from countries that do not celebrate a Thanksgiving holiday, allowing them to get the full, traditional American experience. Usually, one or a few people will be responsible for the menu, with the others chipping in to help fund or make the dinner.
Potluck: This is the most popular style of Friendsgiving because it’s pretty low-pressured and hands-off. Everyone brings at least one dish or item to contribute to the overall dinner. That way, one person isn’t responsible for all of the cooking and associated fees. Usually, a signup sheet goes out to the group so that friends don’t duplicate dishes or food types. There are several sub-types under the Friendsgiving Potluck category:
- Free-for-all: Each guest is allowed to bring whatever kind of dish they want.
- Restricted: Certain items are banned to ensure the menu doesn’t become too incohesive or random.
- Themed: The dishes must follow some kind of theme, such as vegan-only, a certain cuisine style, or the use of a particular ingredient.
- Signup: The menu is pre-determined by the host and a signup sheet of dishes and supplies goes out to guests. Guests claim the item they want to be responsible for making and/or bringing.
Show and Tell: Each guest must bring a dish with some kind of special significance depending on the party’s pre-determined theme. Traditionally, international friends who are experiencing Thanksgiving for the first time may bring dishes representing their home countries or home towns. Other times there may be a cuisine theme and each guest should pick a dish that fits their interpretation of it. Usually there is a moment during the dinner in which each guest explains why they chose their dish and what it means to them.
Experimental: Friendsgiving can be a chance to test out recipes and thanksgiving menus you would never get away with at home. All-vegetarian menu? Thanksgiving Barbecue? Historically accurate early American cuisine only? These kinds of Friendsgiving parties are all about having fun and pushing the boundaries of the holiday.
Fun Friendsgiving Ideas
Casual Game Night: Instead of just a dinner, this Friendsgiving combines a game night with the feast. Guests can bring a game or the host can have that already planned. These Friendsgivings are super casual social events.
Movie Night: Similar to the game night, a movie night combines a common social activity (watching a movie) with the Friendsgiving feast. The movie can be Thanksgiving themed. Some people even binge watch a TV series instead.
Bake-off: Turn the Friendsgiving meal into a little friendly competition. Everyone doesn’t have to be in the bake off, but participants should make or bake the same meal or dessert, while everyone else gets to vote on the best one. The winner gets a prize.
Cooking Night: Instead of the cooks in the group making the food at home, with this style everyone gathers to make the meal together. Follow the recipe(s) in real time as an activity, then enjoy the fruits of your labor together at the end of the night.
Dinner-less Friendsgiving Ideas
Cocktail Party: This Friendsgiving dinner is not much of a dinner at all. Instead, it’s a casual or dressy holiday themed soiree where drinks and refreshments are served instead of a meal. Dry groups can feature holiday themed mocktails. The host and/or guests can still bring snacks, drinks or plates, but don’t expect to sit around a table passing hearty dishes.
Volunteering: Instead of hosting a dinner, friends can volunteer together and give back to people who are in need. This keeps with the Thanksgiving theme of being thankful for what you may have that others do not. With this event, friends may want to donate time, money or food to a local shelter or food bank, together. This style of Friendsgiving might take more pre-planning than you think. Charitable organizations can be popular places for volunteers during the holiday season and sometimes require pre-registration, weeks in advance. Look early into the organization you want to help and see if there are opportunities for you and your friends to get involved.
Hands-off Friendsgiving Ideas
Catered Party: The easiest, but perhaps costliest, option of the bunch is to simply order out. Depending on the day and the cuisine (traditional or not), this may take pre-planning and registration. As for payment, the cost of the meal can be split between the group.
Restaurant Outing: Why fuss with cooking when you can go out to dine at a restaurant with your friends? This can be a dinner or even a brunch or lunch outing. A few restaurants may even be open on Thanksgiving Day.
At the end of the day, Friendsgivings are very casual. The main thing is that in the season of appreciation, bonding, and celebrating togetherness, you have a place where you and your friends can see that you all are loved.
Need friends to invite to your Friendsgiving? Klatchmaker is here to help. Sign up and get matched with a group of friends in your area.