Friendsgiving is one of the coolest times of the year. Not only because there are many festivities around it (Thanksgiving, Halloween, Black Friday… and Christmas just around the corner!), but because it combines two of my favorite things in the world: friends and food.
Every year I’m looking for fresh Friendsgiving ideas, and, after throwing multiple successful and FUN Friendsgiving parties, I feel I can share my experience on what tips and tricks make a good Friendsgiving party.
Also, stick around to the end if you’re looking for Friendsgiving games ideas! These can totally make or break the Friendsgiving dinner celebration.
This post is all about friendsgiving ideas.
When To Host Friendsgiving:
Friendsgiving can quite literally be done whenever you wish, either Wednesday before Thanksgiving or Friday or Saturday. I like to do it Saturday so it’s not too early and doesn’t clash with Black Friday.
Also, by doing it on Saturday you can “break” a bit the long weekend and add some spice to it!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Best Friendsgiving Ideas:
1. Send Out Friendsgiving Invitations
Virtual or printed!
Even though a Friendsgiving Party involves friends and is usually informal, who doesn’t love receiving a serious, formal invitation!
It is super easy to make and will definitely elevate the whole celebration. Year after year, it proves itself to be one of the best Friendsgiving ideas. Trust me!
There is no excuse to not send virtual ones, at least. Details are so important.
2. Save yourself cooking time and make it buffet-style
Cooking for two is one thing and cooking for 6+ is another completely different story. Therefore, if you want a more laid-back gathering, ask each guest to bring a dish from home and make the dinner buffet style.
This is a Friendsgiving idea I have been doing for a couple of years and it just works so well for all. Guest get more involved too, and there are always funny anecdotes to share about the cooking process.
Once, one of my guests burnt the food and had to quickly search store-bought alternatives. It makes the whole Friendsgiving experience more about “giving” and sharing.
3. Use disposable plates and cutlery
Depending on the number of guests, post-Friendsgiving cleanup can be quite a task. And one that you’ll definitely not be in the mood to do during the fall holidays.
So, while disposable cutlery is not always cute and trendy, I have found these two options which totally ARE.
This is definitely not a necessary Friendsgiving idea but you’ll thank me later. Or you’ll wish you had done it! I started last year and I can tell you I’m not going back.
Although some cutlery options might be on the expensive side, there still is a lot of budget-friendly alternatives to help make Friendsgiving easier!
4. Organize a PHOTO BOOTH area
I’m not quite sure what it is, but photo booths amongst friends are total fun and laugh magnet.
People actually have an excuse to wear funny accessories and make silly faces and that brings the best out of anyone. PLUS there are cameras involved and you can capture for eternity those moments. Can it get any better?
A definite must for any friends gathering! It is relatively easy to set up and the return is priceless! Especially after doing Friendsgiving Idea number 5.
You might also be interested in [21 Coolest Kitchen Gadgets You Didn’t Know You Needed]
5. Don’t forget the (drinking) games
Drinking games are fun ways of doing what most will probably do during a Friendsgiving party: Drink!
A cool take con Beer Pong is this game called Drop Cup which makes Beer Pong on a roll, similar to bowling! This box brings everything you’ll need, minus the drinks and friends!
If you’re running low on Friendsgiving drinking games, this article lists the top 15 most fun drinking games for Friendsgiving parties.
6. Place a card name on each seat
Again, having name cards to tell your guests where to sit is a super simple Friendsgiving idea but it makes it much more cute and thoughtful.
You’ll also avoid the awkwardness of guests not knowing where to sit, which is always nice.
You can buy some for quite cheap, but you can also get crafty and DIY your own.
7. Decorate the Friendsgiving table
Recreate this Friendsgiving decoration idea:
8. Have a playlist running on the background at all times
THIS has to be it. The best Friendsgiving idea out there.
I’d much rather attend a Friendsgiving with some Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé, or Aretha Franklin playing in the background, than one with decorated yet silent tables and walls.
And I’m pretty sure you and your guests too. Now I really can’t wait to use all these Friendsgiving ideas.
Have a secondary device (iPad, computer, but not your phone) connected to some speakers and leave it playing in the background the whole night. You might want to adjust the volume at certain times but otherwise sit back and enjoy the gathering!
9. Decorate (and elevate) the space
Recreate this Friendsgiving party idea:
These beautiful fall leaves can be left for the whole of October and November, and can be reused every year.
Sometimes small additions like these really make a house feel cozy, warm, and more like home.
Which is exactly what I (and most people) want during the holiday season. ACTUALLY, I want it all year round but that doesn’t always sit too well amongst my family! 😉
10. Have a signature cocktail
Instead of having all types of drinks and mixes to cater to all your guests, announce (maybe on your Friendsgiving invitation) that there will be a signature drink for the special celebration.
You can easily mix it and put it in a large pot or bowl and store it in the fridge.
Of course, everyone can bring their own drinks but having a common drink for all will save you being the barman and will definitely bring you guys closer together!
You know what they say, those who drink from the same source, will stay close! Nah, I totally just came up with that. But, from past experience, everyone drinking the same does increase the family vibes in the room. And those vibes are always welcome.
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