Celebrate Friendsgiving: The New Tradition You’ll Want to Celebrate
Reading Time: 6 minutes The Joy of Friendsgiving: Gratitude, Laughter, and Chosen Family
Thanksgiving has always been about gratitude, togetherness, and—let’s be honest—a whole lot of food.
But in recent years, Friendsgiving the new tradition has joined the celebration: one that’s joyful, modern, and overflowing with friendship.
Welcome to Friendsgiving, a new celebration that brings friends together for food, laughter, and connection.
It’s a Thanksgiving-style feast without the pressure — just the people you love most, a great playlist, and maybe a few too many desserts.
Friendsgiving is a reminder that family isn’t just who you’re related to — it’s also the people you choose.
It’s not about a perfect table or matching napkins; it’s about creating memories, sharing gratitude, and savoring every laugh and bite along the way.
What Is Friendsgiving?
Friendsgiving is an informal gathering of friends celebrating a feast similar to Thanksgiving — but with your own creative twist.
It’s all about community, comfort, and camaraderie.
This Friendsgiving celebration can be as simple as a cozy potluck dinner or as elaborate as a themed Friendsgiving party with games, music, and decorations.
Did I hear games and music?
You know I love games and music-this is a total win-win!
The essence of it all?
Sharing food, laughter, and appreciation for the people who make your world brighter.
Whether you host it the weekend before Thanksgiving, the day after, or right on the holiday itself, Friendsgiving-the new tradition is your chance to celebrate gratitude with your chosen family.
The Origins of Friendsgiving
Many of you may have heard of this a long time ago, Friendsgiving began gaining traction in the early 2000s.
I only heard about it last year, and became enraptured with the idea!
The word popped up in pop culture and quickly spread through social media, as people began sharing photos of “Thanksgiving with friends.”
It caught on fast — especially among people living far from home, or those who wanted to embrace a more relaxed, inclusive holiday.
As hashtags like #Friendsgiving flooded social feeds, the trend became a movement.
Now, Friendsgiving is more than a buzzword — it’s a symbol of how we create modern, meaningful connections. It’s about gratitude, belonging, and celebrating friendships that feel like home.
How to Host a Friendsgiving Everyone Will Love
One of the best things about Friendsgiving?
There’s no rulebook!
You can keep it simple or go all-out — the key is making it feel genuine and fun.
1. Pick the Perfect Date
Most Friendsgiving parties happen the weekend before or after Thanksgiving.
This timing keeps it stress-free and ensures your friends can attend without overlapping family plans.
Poll your group, set a date, and send invites early — whether through text, email, or a cute digital card.
The earlier you plan, the more excitement builds.
2. Plan the Menu Together
The ultimate Friendsgiving menu is collaborative.
Go potluck-style and let everyone bring a favorite dish, dessert, or drink.
- Have your foodie friend handle the turkey or main course.
- The snack lover? Let them bring chips, dips, or charcuterie.
- The baker? They’ve got dessert covered.
You can keep it traditional with stuffing and mashed potatoes, or shake things up — tacos, pasta, or “Friendsgiving brunch” are all creative Friendsgiving food ideas that make the meal unique.
3. Set the Scene
You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect setup.
Does anyone else feel like Pinterest and Instagram photos have added much more stress and “should be perfect” to their lives?
Yeah, that is an aside, and maybe just me, but the last thing I need is more stress at the holidays!
Focus on warmth and atmosphere — string lights, fall candles, cozy throws, and mismatched dishes.
Add a themed playlist or Spotify queue and let the vibe flow naturally.
*I would totally put my son on the playlist, he loves this, but when you are assigning jobs, maybe ask the wannabe DJ to do this one!*
For fun Friendsgiving decorations, try small pumpkins, handwritten place cards, or even a gratitude wall where guests jot down what they’re thankful for.
Friendsgiving Fun: Games, Giving, and Great Memories
Here’s where your Friendsgiving activities take the celebration from “nice dinner” to “epic tradition.”
These fun games and creative ideas make your gathering unforgettable — and full of laughter.
Friends “Giving” Gift Exchange
Put a playful twist on generosity with a Friendsgiving White Elephant gift exchange.
Have everyone bring a small, funny, or meaningful gift (under $15).
It’s the perfect mix of laughter, surprises, and friendship.
Thanksgiving Bingo
Create bingo cards or download the ones I have created for you!
It’s an easy, hilarious way to keep guests engaged.
The winner gets bragging rights (and maybe an extra slice of pie).
🔍 Gratitude Scavenger Hunt
True confessions, I love scavenger hunts.
I have incorporated them in my house for a lot of different holidays.
You can have a sentimental scavenger hunt with notes or cards that have prompts like “Share your favorite memory from this year” or “Tell someone why you’re thankful for them.”
Or you can use these, they are jokes-just laughter, because…it is the best medicine, don’t you know!
Either way, it’s interactive and heartwarming — a perfect Friendsgiving game for adults or families alike.
The Thankful Bowl
I don’t know why deep heart felt feelings in public makes me itchy, but it kind of does.
However, if you are a “normal” person and able to communicate your emotions 🤣-
Pass around a bowl filled with gratitude prompts:
- “What made you smile most this year?” (I do like this one)
- “Compliment the person sitting across from you.”
- “Share something new you’re grateful for.”
Photo Booth & Memories Wall
I think this one is a “have to.”
Set up a mini photo booth with props, fairy lights, or a cozy backdrop.
Encourage everyone to snap Polaroids or selfies.
Then, pin the photos to a corkboard or string them up — instant Friendsgiving tradition and future nostalgia.
DIY Drink or Dessert Bar
Want to take the pressure off of the whole “perfect pie” dilemma?
Create a “Build Your Own” station — hot chocolate, apple cider cocktails, or mini pie flights.
These little touches give your guests something to do and something sweet to remember.
Hosting something like this is what makes Friendsgiving- a new tradition everyone can enjoy — it’s a blend of laughter, gratitude, and togetherness that feels both fresh and familiar.
The Benefits of Celebrating Friendsgiving
Beyond the food and laughter, Friendsgiving fosters gratitude, connection, and belonging.
It’s a celebration of the relationships that lift us up — especially when life feels chaotic.
For many, Friendsgiving provides:
- A sense of community for those far from home.
- A chance to strengthen friendships and show appreciation.
- A comforting, low-pressure alternative to family holidays.
It’s a modern holiday with old-fashioned heart — proof that gratitude doesn’t require a perfect setting, just people who make you feel seen and loved.
This is why so many people are embracing Friendsgiving the new tradition — because it’s not about perfection; it’s about presence, friendship, and genuine joy.
A New Tradition to Be Thankful For
Friendsgiving isn’t meant to replace Thanksgiving — it’s meant to expand it.
It’s a way to celebrate gratitude in every form, surrounded by laughter, food, and friendship.
So this year, don’t just scroll past those Friendsgiving invites — say yes, or host your own!
Gather your people, set the table (or the coffee table), cue the playlist, and start a new tradition built on joy and connection.
Because when the food’s gone and the candles burn low, what you’ll remember most won’t be the menu or the décor — it’ll be the feeling of belonging right where you are.
Happy Friendsgiving — may your table be full, your hearts even fuller, and your friendships forever strong.