With all the hustle and bustle of the year, it is hard to stop and enjoy the finer things in life. I’m not talking about the superb foods or drinks; I’m talking about our friends and families. So, every year we make it a point to stop, and grab a meal with those families and friends. While we didn’t come up with the name of Friendsgiving, we think it is applicable to what we love to do. Connecting with others allows us to put aside our work and responsibilities, share a meal, tell some jokes, and relax. Here are some great Friendsgiving ideas to make the celebration memorable and enjoyable:
Potluck Style Feast:
Have each guest or group of friends bring a dish to share, ensuring a diverse and delicious spread. Assign categories like appetizers, main dishes, sides, and desserts to avoid duplication.
Here are some ideas for the different categories:
Appetizers:
- Stuffed Mushrooms
- Spinach and Artichoke Dip
- Deviled Eggs
- Bruschetta
- Cheese and Charcuterie Platter
Salads:
- Fall Harvest Salad (with apples, pecans, and cranberries)
- Caesar Salad
- Caprese Salad
- Quinoa Salad with Roasted Vegetables
- Waldorf Salad
Main Dishes:
- Roast Turkey
- Honey Glazed Ham
- Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Butternut Squash Lasagna
- Tofu or Tempeh Roast
Desserts:
- Pumpkin Pie
- Apple Pie
- Pecan Pie
- Cheesecake
- Chocolate Fondue with Dipping Fruits and Treats
Sides:
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Cranberry Sauce
- Roasted Vegetables (e.g., carrots, Brussels sprouts)
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Green Bean Almondine
Drinks:
- Spiced Apple Cider
- Cranberry Punch
- Holiday Sangria
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Mocktails
Breads and Rolls:
- Classic Dinner Rolls
- Cornbread
- Garlic Bread
- Rosemary Focaccia
- Pumpkin Bread
Themed Friendsgiving:
Choose a theme for the gathering, such as a specific cuisine (e.g., Italian-themed Friendsgiving), a decade (e.g., ’80s-themed Friendsgiving), or a dress-up theme, and plan the decorations, food, and activities accordingly.
Outdoor Picnic Friendsgiving:
If the weather allows, consider hosting an outdoor picnic-style Friendsgiving in a park or backyard. Set up picnic blankets, bring portable tables and chairs, and enjoy the fresh air and nature.
DIY Craft Party:
Incorporate a crafting element into your Friendsgiving celebration. Set up a crafting station where guests can create decorations, personalized place cards, or other festive crafts to commemorate the event.
A DIY Craft Party for Friendsgiving can be a fun and creative way to bond and make lasting memories. Here are some craft ideas that your guests can enjoy:
Thanksgiving Gratitude Journals:
Provide plain journals or notebooks, along with various craft supplies like colored markers, stickers, and washi tape. Guests can personalize and decorate their gratitude journals, jotting down what they’re thankful for.
Seasonal Wreath Making:
Set up a wreath-making station with an assortment of faux fall foliage, ribbons, and wreath frames. Guests can create their own unique autumn-themed wreaths to take home.
Personalized Coasters:
Offer plain ceramic or cork coasters and art supplies like paints, markers, and brushes. Guests can design and decorate their own coasters with holiday-themed motifs or their initials.
DIY Greeting Cards:
Provide cardstock, decorative paper, stamps, colored pencils, and other crafting materials for guests to create custom Thanksgiving greeting cards for their loved ones.
Pumpkin Decorating:
Set out various sizes and colors of pumpkins, along with paint, glitter, ribbons, and other embellishments. Guests can decorate the pumpkins in their own unique styles.
Festive Table Centerpieces:
Offer an array of vases, flowers, foliage, and decorative elements like candles or ribbons. Guests can create their own stunning table centerpieces for their holiday tables.
Decorative Mason Jars:
Offer an array of vases, flowers, foliage, and decorative elements like candles or ribbons. Guests can create their own stunning table centerpieces for their holiday tables.
Leaf Art:
Collect a variety of leaves and provide guests with paper and paint. They can create leaf imprints or use the leaves as stencils to make unique art pieces.
Customized Place Cards:
Supply cardstock, markers, and other crafting supplies for guests to create personalized place cards for the dining table.
Cookie Decorating:
Provide plain sugar cookies, colorful icing, sprinkles, and edible decorations. Guests can have fun decorating their own festive cookies.
Games and Activities:
Organize fun games like charades, trivia, board games, or a scavenger hunt. You could also plan a group activity like a hike, sports, or a friendly cooking competition. Games and activities are a fantastic way to keep the energy high and the laughter flowing during a Friendsgiving celebration. Here are some game and activity ideas:
Charades:
A classic party game that’s always a hit. Divide guests into teams and take turns acting out a word or phrase without speaking while their team guesses.
Trivia:
Create a Thanksgiving-themed trivia game with questions related to the holiday, history, traditions, and fun facts. Split guests into teams and see who knows the most about Thanksgiving!
Pictionary:
Another lively drawing and guessing game. Divide guests into teams and have them draw Thanksgiving-themed words or phrases for their teammates to guess.
Turkey Trot Relay Race:
Set up a mini relay race with Thanksgiving-themed challenges like “stuffing the turkey” (stuffing a pillow into a shirt), “carrying the cranberries” (carrying a spoonful of cranberries without dropping them), etc.
Thanksgiving Bingo:
Create bingo cards with Thanksgiving-related words or images. As the host calls out the words or shows the pictures, guests mark their cards. The first to complete a row shouts “Bingo!” and wins a prize.
Pie-Eating Contest:
Host a friendly pie-eating contest where guests compete to finish a slice of pie the fastest without using their hands. Choose a variety of pies for participants to enjoy.
Decorate a Pumpkin:
Provide mini pumpkins and a variety of decorating supplies like paints, markers, stickers, and glitter. Guests can get creative and decorate their pumpkins, and you can even hold a contest for the most unique design.
Fall Scavenger Hunt:
Create a list of fall-themed items or decorations for guests to find either indoors or outdoors. Divide guests into teams and see who can find the most items on the list within a set time.
Two Truths and a Lie:
Each guest shares two truths and one lie about themselves, and the others have to guess which statement is the lie. It’s a great way for friends to learn something new about each other.
Photo Booth Fun:
Set up a photo booth with a variety of props and backdrops. Guests can take silly and festive photos to remember the event.
Share Your Favorite Thanksgiving Memory:
Go around the room and have each guest share their favorite Thanksgiving memory or tradition. It’s a heartwarming activity that allows for meaningful conversation.
Karaoke:
Set up a karaoke machine or use a karaoke app and let guests belt out their favorite tunes. It’s sure to bring a lot of laughter and entertainment.
Gratitude Sharing:
Encourage everyone to share what they’re thankful for. Provide small note cards or a gratitude jar where guests can write down what they appreciate and read them aloud during the gathering.
Games and Activities:
Create unique Thanksgiving-inspired beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, to add a festive touch to the celebration. Offer a variety of options to suit different tastes.
Friendsgiving Recipe Swap:
Invite guests to bring copies of their favorite Thanksgiving recipes and organize a recipe swap. Everyone can leave with new recipes to try during the holiday season.
Friendsgiving Potluck Challenge:
Challenge guests to get creative with their potluck dishes by using non-traditional ingredients or incorporating a surprise element. Offer small prizes for the most creative and delicious dishes.
Music and Dance:
Create a playlist of favorite tunes or invite friends to bring their instruments for a jam session. Encourage everyone to dance and have a great time. Here are some great songs for the occasion: Friendsgiving Spotify List
- “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” by Sly & The Family Stone
- Friends” by Whodini
- “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
- Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey
- “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
- “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
- “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
- “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire
- “All Star” by Smash Mouth
- “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake
- “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves
- “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
- “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers
- “I Gotta Feeling” by The Black Eyed Peas
- “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles
- “Dancing Queen” by ABBA
- “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker
- “Sweet Child o’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
- “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley & The Wailers
- “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic
Feel free to tailor the playlist to your friends’ musical tastes and preferences. Adding a mix of genres and eras ensures that there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Photo Booth or Selfie Station:
Set up a designated area with props and backdrops for fun and memorable photos. This can be a great way to capture the memories of the event. Here are some ideas for decorations and photo booth backgrounds and props.
