Genius Ideas to Throw The Most Amazing Friendsgiving Party
Hosting a Friendsgiving party this year? Planning and hosting holiday parties is a lot of fun, but it’s also a lot of work. To save you some time and stress, we’ve rounded up some of the best Friendsgiving ideas for food, drink, games, movies and more.
But before we get there, let’s answer an important question: what is Friendsgiving?
What Is Friendsgiving?
Friendsgiving is Thanksgiving for friends. Friends gather together to share a big meal either on or near Thanksgiving.
The Thanksgiving holiday is all about celebrating the things we are grateful for, and friends are definitely on that list. But often, the official Thanksgiving holiday is reserved for family. It’s nice to have a special day to celebrate with friends and share some great food.
It’s also a great excuse to eat a great meal and share some laughs.
Friendsgiving is a little bit different from a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Instead of having a host prepare most or all of the food, everyone brings a dish to a Friendsgiving meal (typically). It’s also more casual than a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
While it’s common to serve the usual Thanksgiving dishes, it’s okay to get creative and add a few unique dishes, too.
Jimmy Kimmel Confronts Jennifer Aniston About Her Friendsgiving Dinner
Friendsgiving Date
There is no real date for Friendsgiving, and while Merriam-Webster recognizes it as a thing, it’s not an official holiday.
Usually, Friendsgiving is celebrated the weekend before Thanksgiving or around the holiday. However, there really are no rules on which day to celebrate, so you’re free to choose a time when everyone is free.
Best Friendsgiving Ideas to Throw a Party This Year
Table of Contents
If you want to host a Friendsgiving this year, you may be wondering what to make. What kind of favors should you give? What about decorations and entertainment?
We’ve got you covered. We’re going to share some of the best Friendsgiving menu, gift, decorations, movie and game ideas to make your celebration a blast.
The Best Friendsgiving Menu
Not sure what to serve your guests? While you can serve the usual turkey, you can also serve other main dishes so that your friends aren’t sick of turkey on the big day.
Here are some of the best Friendsgiving ideas for your menu.
Roasted Lamb in Coffee Sauce
This roasted leg of lamb is tender and topped with a rich, creamy coffee sauce. It’s a great alternative to the usual turkey main dish, especially if you’re only having a small gathering.
Roast Beef
A classic roast beef is always a crowd pleaser, and this recipe walks you through the steps of cooking the perfect roast for your Friendsgiving table.
Vegetarian Stuffed Pumpkin
If you have vegetarians in your crowd, these stuffed pumpkins are a great option for your main dish. They’re filled with quinoa (or millet), mushrooms, kale, cranberries, almonds, goat cheese and wine. Plus, they’re served in a pumpkin, which will give you an A+ for presentation.
Roasted Carrots with Candied Pecans and Goat Cheese
These carrots are roasted to perfection and topped with candied pecans and goat cheese. The combination of sweet and savory make this dish a winner with everyone. Feel free to use feta cheese if goat cheese isn’t your cup of tea.
Creamy White Mushroom Stuffed Shells
Who doesn’t love a good pasta dish? These stuffed shells are smothered in a creamy white wine sauce – perfect with a slice of crusty baguette.
Bacon Green Bean Bundles
Green beans are the perfect Thanksgiving side dish because they’re so fresh. Wrap them in bacon and you have a next-level dish for your Friendsgiving. Use fresh green beans for this and don’t overcook them.
Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie boards are always a win at gatherings. Make a fall-inspired board with some sweets (like cookies or yogurt covered pretzels), deli meats, nuts, olives, cheese and more.
More Thanksgiving recipes you’ll love:
20 Mouthwatering Thanksgiving Appetizer Ideas
20 Best Keto Thanksgiving Recipes
17 Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes That Everyone Will Love
22 Delicious Friendsgiving Food Ideas for Your Party This Year
Friendsgiving Drink Ideas
Thanksgiving Margarita
This fall-themed cocktail will be a hit at your gathering. It’s quick and easy to make and includes fall favorites like apple cider and pear juice.
Autumn Aperol Spritz
Here’s a festive cocktail with apple cider, blood oranges and Aperol. It’s easy to make and refreshing and light.
Bourbon Pecan Pie Cocktail
This cocktail tastes like pecan pie. It’s a stronger drink, so take it easy with this one. But your guests are sure to love the flavor.
Friendsgiving Gift Ideas
Friendsgiving isn’t just about the food. If you’re hosting, favors are a nice way to say thanks for coming. But what should you give?
Here are some of the best Friendsgiving ideas for gifts.
Sweets
Candy and sweets are always great party favors. Add your favorites, or bake some fresh cookies for guests to take home. Put it all together in these adorable Friendsgiving party favor boxes.
Can Coolers
Thanksgiving-themed can coolers are another fun option for party favors. These can coolers from Amazon come in packs of six, each with different sayings.
Candles
Here’s a fun and thoughtful gift idea for your guests. Place tealight candles inside of a cute glass jar. Add salt to the bottom of the jar. Tie a name tag to each one. Every time your friends light their candles, they’ll be reminded of your Friendsgiving party. Check out our printable thank you notes available for free download here.
Gift Basket
If you want a DIY gift idea, here’s a great one. Who doesn’t love a good gift basket? This cute basket has some thoughtful items, like a pretty tea towel, a notepad with some pens, a fall candle and some pumpkin spice scented soap. Add items that you think your guests will use and love. Place them in a cute little basket, and you have the perfect gift.
Related: Affordable Gift Basket Ideas + DIY Guide
Friendsgiving Decorations
Need the best Friendsgiving ideas for decorations? We’ve rounded up some great ideas to make your space more festive.
Pumpkins and Candles Table Centerpiece
Wow your guests with this beautiful centerpiece idea, which features pumpkins, candles and eucalyptus leaves. These hosts used Crown Prince blue squash as a centerpiece and added amber colored glass votives to match the earthy tones of the squash.
- If you can’t get (or don’t want) real squash, try these faux pumpkins from Amazon.
- These glass votives (also from Amazon) are perfect for any Friendsgiving table, and you can always give them away as favors to your guests.
- If you can’t find fresh eucalyptus, try these dried ones from Amazon.
Plaid Table Runner
This simple plaid table runner will complement any table décor you have at your gathering. Get it for under $15 at Amazon.
Friendsgiving Banner
Hang a fun Friendsgiving banner to make the gathering more festive. Here’s a cute baloons banner from Amazon.
We love all of these ideas, but here’s another great segment from Rachel Ray Show with some more ideas on how to decorate for your Friendsgiving. It has some great snack and food ideas, too.
4 Easy Friendsgiving Ideas to Step Up Your Hosting Game | Rachael Ray Show
More Friendsgiving decorations you’ll love:
15 Insanely Fun and Healthy Edible Thanksgiving Centerpieces
15 Eye Catching Thanksgiving Table Decor Ideas To WOW Your Guests
Friendsgiving Movie Ideas
Friendsgiving is all about food and conversation, but it’s also important to do things together. A movie is a great option. Friendsgiving dinner and a movie sounds like a relaxed, fun night with friends.
Not sure what to watch? Here are some great ideas.
FRIENDSGIVING Trailer (2020) Kat Dennings, Comedy Movie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an7YTh5LBIs
Home For The Holidays (1995) – Official Trailer
Funny People – Trailer
Grumpy Old Men – Original Theatrical Trailer
Friendsgiving Game Ideas
No Friendsgiving day is complete without a few games. Here are some of the best Friendsgiving ideas for games that everyone will love.
Jenga – Traditional or Drinking
Jenga is always a fun game to play at parties. Play it the traditional way, or make it a drinking game. Each time someone knocks down the tower, they take a shot.
If you don’t have one already, you can get a Jenga set on Amazon for about $10.
Never Have I Ever
This fun adult party game will help everyone get to know each other – for better or worse. You can find lots of variations of Never Have I Ever, including kid-friendly ones.
Cards Against Humanity
You can never go wrong with Cards Against Humanity – as long as everyone feels comfortable playing.
Karaoke
Karaoke is a fun way to get everyone laughing and break the ice. New karaoke machines have Bluetooth for wireless streaming and so many other fun features.
Classic Party Games
Classic party games are always crowd pleasers. Here are some of the top ones and how to play them.
How to Play Charades
With charades, team members have to guess words and phrases using only gestures. The team with the most correct answers wins.
How to Play the “Who Am I” Game
Players have to figure out who they are by asking questions. Choose a theme and have everyone write down a famous person related to that theme on sticky notes. Each player puts the sticky note on their forehead (without looking) and has to guess who they are by asking questions.
Conclusion
Use Friendsgiving ideas to plan the best party yet. From food to entertainment, our list has everything you need to throw a memorable celebration.
