How to Host a Fun, Fuss-Free Friendsgiving

Friendsgiving is all about gathering friends over delicious food – without the stress and constraints of a formal holiday. If you’re hosting this year, here are six tips to host a relaxed, memorable meal to celebrate and give thanks to your friends.

1. Plan a potluck

Hosting Friendsgiving doesn’t mean you have to cook everything! A potluck-style dinner allows everyone to pitch in, lightening your workload and creating a diverse meal. To ensure a variety of dishes, send out a sign-up sheet in advance. This way, friends can choose a category, and you’ll end up with a balanced menu with something for everyone. ‍

2. Break free from tradition

There’s no reason you need to stick to the Thanksgiving classics at Friendsgiving. In fact, since many people celebrate a traditional Thanksgiving, serving a different menu can make Friendsgiving more interesting! When planning the menu, consider preparing the main dish yourself and asking your friends to bring seasonal side dishes and desserts. Shepherd’s Pie, Maple Rosemary Roast Chicken, and Leek & Mushroom Pot Pie are all great options for a celebratory, filling main dish.

3. Curate a Friendsgiving playlist

Music plays an important role in creating a fun, festive atmosphere, so why not create a themed playlist for Friendsgiving? Curate a selection of upbeat, relaxing songs that you and your friends love to keep the conversations and energy flowing.

4. Serve a signature drink

For a personalized touch, prepare a signature mocktail or cocktail to serve to your guests when they walk in the door. Bonus points for choosing an autumnal drink that you can batch in advance – like mulled wine or spiced apple cider.

5. Skip the formal table settings

Keep things easy and comfortable by serving a family-style meal and letting guests sit wherever they’d like – no formal table settings necessary. To make the table feel festive but not fussy, use colorful napkins and decorate with simple, seasonal decor like small pumpkins and candles.

6. Incorporate a gratitude moment

Friendsgiving wouldn’t be complete without a nod to gratitude! This could be as simple as going around the table and sharing one thing everyone’s thankful for. Taking a moment to reflect adds a heartwarming touch to the evening, reminding everyone what Friendsgiving – and Thanksgiving – are all about.