How to Host Friendsgiving: Your Complete Guide to a Memorable Celebration

We've found that planning things gets a whole lot easier when you break down all your tasks into a few manageable goals each day. 

3–4 Weeks Before

Here are the things you can tick off your list about a month in advance:

• Pick your date and time. This can get tricky with everyon's schedules, but usually a non-holiday weekend trumps Thanksgiving weekend itself.
• Create a guest list based on your budget, space, and bestie list. Go for close friends, the ones that are so close they're practically family.
• Choose between hosting a potluck or cooking yourself. If ease is more important than cost, having the meal catered is an option, too.
• As soon as you have the basics down, send out your Friendsgiving invitations as digital or paper invites.

2 Weeks Before

Two weeks before your chosen date, it's time to start tackling the details of the event:

• Round up your RSVPs and ask about guests' dietary restrictions.
• Make a potluck sign-up sheet telling people what to bring for Friendsgiving.
• Plan which dishes you'll be cooking. As the host, it's a good idea to take charge on the main dish, unless you have a friend who insists on bringing their out-of-this-word roast.
• Order any specialty items, like a free-range turkey or bakery-made pies.
• Begin shopping for non-perishables, such as cookware and serving dishes. For the easiest cleanup, consider disposible pans, plates, cutlery, or crockpot liners.

1 Week Before

One week before your event is the time to finalize most of the major parts of your Friendsgiving:

• Get in touch with your friends to confirm your final headcount.
• Make sure you have all your decor and serving items ready.
• Buy non-perishable groceries, or start your grocery delivery list.
• Plan your seating arrangements and make sure you have enough seats.
• Begin placing fall-themed decor around your home.

Day Before

The day before your Friendsgiving is crunch time. You'll need to handle all these essentials:

• Shop for your fresh ingredients like meat and produce. Better yet, have groceries delivered! You’ll save much needed time, plus you can score some bonus savings if you shop with an Instacart coupon. 
• Make some dishes and prep ingredients for dishes that need to be assembled day-of.
• Set your tablescape and arrange your buffet area. If using a fabric tablecloth, iron or steam any wrinkles out.
• Chill your beverages and make punch ahead of time. Prep cute garnishes, like fruit slices or herb sprigs.
• Clean up and declutter your home.
• Set up your decorations. If you're planning on having a photobooth, now's the time to set it up.

Day Of

If you've done a good job of preparing everything ahead of time, all you need to do is relax and manage these basics:

• Finish cooking anything you'll be serving. Roast the bird, toss together a salad, warm the brie—basically anything that couldn't happen ahead of time.
• Pick a stylish yet comfortable Thanksgiving outfit to wear. 
• Set out appetizers and snacks for any early arrivals. Have drinks accessible so guests can serve themselves.
• Create a welcoming ambiance by adjusting your home's lighting and temperature.
• Greet guests and tell them where to place host gifts and food.

As you can see, one of the biggest parts of learning how to host Friendsgiving is figuring out the food. Follow these tips to get great inspiration no matter how you plan on managing food.

The Potluck Approach (Recommended)

When it comes to Friendsgiving food ideas, you have three choices: potlucks, homemade meals, and catered meals. The potluck is our favorite option because it results in a lot of delicious food without too much stress or cost for the host. The easiest way to do it is to cook the turkey or other main protein yourself and assign sides and desserts to guests. We find it helpful to create a Google Docs sign-up sheet where people can write down their dietary needs and what they want to bring.

Menu Inspiration

We love the classics, so turkey, gravy, potatoes, and cranberry sauce are always a good option. However, don't be afraid to go nontraditional. Vegan main dishes, like a mushroom Wellington, or healthy classics, like roast chicken, are often crowd pleasers. Make sure to include some easy appetizers, like a cheese board or veggie platter, before your main meal. For dessert, offer some variety with a selection of pies, cookies, cakes, and dessert bars. 

Don't Forget the Drinks

Festive drinks help to turn a meal into a celebration. To plan a drink selection, start with some basics like sparkling water, juice, wine, and beer. Next, create a signature cocktail or mocktail with seasonal ingredients like cranberry, cinnamon, and maple syrup. You can premix your cocktails in batches, or you can have a friend be the bartender. 

Decor is an essential part of turning an everyday meal into a Friendsgiving feast. Here are some of our favorite ways to decorate your home. 

Keep It Simple and Cozy

Friendsgiving doesn't require formal decor to impress guests. Instead, all you need are a few warm, cozy autumnal basics like: 

• Candles, string lights, lanterns, and other soft lighting
• Pumpkins, squash, and other gourds
• Fall leaves
• Mix-and-match plates
• Warm metals like gold and copper
• Warm colors like burgundy, mustard, rust, and camel

Creative Touches

Since Friendsgiving is more casual, it's a great chance to get creative. Curate your own custom playlist for background music and write place cards for the table. You can encourage your guests to get involved by posting a gratitude board where guests can write down things they're thankful for. Another fun option is a butcher paper tablecloth where guests can leave messages and doodles. 

You don't have to have a mansion to host a Friendsgiving. We've found that the right Friendsgiving ideas can turn even the smallest space into a great party venue.

Maximize Your Space

Here are a few ways we've managed to create a roomy feel when hosting parties in apartments and other small spaces:

• Serve food buffet-style if you don't have a large table.
• Use your kitchen counters and coffee tables as serving areas or even eating areas.
• Ask guests to bring cushions or folding chairs if you need extra seating.
• Move some of your living room furniture into the bedroom to create a roomier party room.
• Choose finger foods that don't require a lot of utensils or dinnerware.

Kitchen Hacks

Don't have a professional, chef-worthy kitchen? Here are some things you can do to create a big meal in a tiny kitchen:

• Plan some slow-cooker dishes to save your oven space for other foods.
• Use coolers or an ice-cold balcony if you need to chill things but don't have fridge space.
• Cook your dishes as soon as possible before guests arrive, so you don't have to store big platters.
• Coordinate with your guests to assign time slots for using the oven and stove to reheat things.

While the meal is the star of the show, you should also take the time to plan some other entertainment.

Keep It Lighthearted

The ideal Friendsgiving activity is something relaxed, entertaining, and lively. Some potential options include:

• Everyone sits in a circle and takes turns sharing what they're thankful for.
• You create a themed Friendsgiving trivia or bingo game based on what you know about your friends.
• Everyone plays a board game or card game after dinner.
• A football game or classic movie plays in the background.
• You create a photo booth area with a backdrop and fall-themed props.

Music and Mood

Music is a great mood setter, but you'll need to plan it carefully. Aim to keep the volume conversational and the tracks mellow. You don't want your Friendsgiving to sound like a club! If you trust your friends' tastes, a collaborative Spotify soundtrack everyone can use to play their favorite songs over a portable speaker is fun.