23 Oct
5 Clever Friendsgiving Ideas for 2024
While the traditional Thanksgiving family celebration remains the common choice for most Americans, various changes and trends in society have started to push more people away from the stressful travel, logistics, and rising costs of putting together a family celebration. Concerns about political differences, the impact of inflation of food and decor costs, continued travel upheaval since COVID – there are plenty of good reasons to seek an alternative to traditional Thanksgiving. And that’s why Friendsgiving has become more popular than ever.
Friendsgiving has grown in popularity over the years as a way to bring friends together, especially for those who can’t travel home for the holidays or prefer to celebrate with their chosen family. Beyond being a simpler and more comfortable choice to avoid the challenges above, party planners have developed some pretty fun and creative ideas that make Friendsgiving not just a Thanksgiving alternative, but a tradition for many groups of friends that become highlights of the annual social calender.
Whether hosting your first Friendsgiving or looking to spice things up for 2024, here are five clever ideas to make your event unforgettable.
Choose a unique Friendsgiving theme - or try a trusted favorite
Themes are a great way to inject personality into your celebration. Here are some fun ideas for 2024:
- Friendsgiving Pajama Party: Keep it super casual—everyone shows up in cozy pajamas, and the menu focuses on comfort foods.
- Friends TV Show Theme: Celebrate with references to the iconic Thanksgiving episodes from Friends. You could even recreate Monica’s turkey dance!
- Fall Fiesta: Incorporate Mexican cuisine, margaritas, and bold colors into your Friendsgiving for a fiesta twist.
- Retro 90s Night: Have guests dress up in 90s fashion, play nostalgic tunes, and offer food inspired by the decade.
- Potluck with a Twist: Assign ingredients to each guest randomly—like pumpkin, bacon, or cranberry—and see what dishes they create.
Friendsgiving Invitations - Start building the excitement
The first step to a successful Friendsgiving is sending out the perfect invitations. Your invites can reflect the vibe you want, whether it’s casual, formal, or themed. Here are a few ideas:
- Digital Invitations: Use platforms like Evite, Paperless Post, or RSVPify to create custom digital invites. Add humor or include potluck sign-ups directly on the invite.
- Theme-Driven Invites: If you’re planning a specific theme (more on this below), let it shine through the design and wording of the invitation.
- Social Media Event Pages: Create a Facebook event or group chat for easy updates and RSVPs.
Pro tip: Send invitations at least two weeks in advance and set RSVP deadlines to organize food, decor, and activities better.
Break out those Friendsgiving food ideas - and don't be afraid to get creative with it
Food is the heart of any Friendsgiving, but you don’t need to follow every Thanksgiving tradition. Here are some fun ideas to add a twist:
- Mini Dishes Potluck: Encourage guests to bring their favorite dish, but mini-sized (think: bite-sized turkey sliders or cranberry-stuffed mushrooms). This keeps things fun and manageable.
- Friendsgiving Brunch: Celebrate earlier in the day with pumpkin pancakes, mimosa bars, and sweet potato hash.
- International Potluck: Add an international flair by assigning different countries to guests for dish inspiration.
- Dessert Table Extravaganza: Invite each guest to bring a unique dessert—build a spread featuring pies, cookies, or mini tarts.
- DIY Charcuterie Boards: Set up a build-your-own charcuterie station with various cheeses, meats, fruits, and spreads.
Friendsgiving Decor - Get those vibes right
Create a warm and inviting atmosphere that reflects both the fall season and your unique Friendsgiving vibe. Here are some decor ideas to inspire:
- Neutral Fall Palette: Use neutral tones like cream, rust, and beige with pops of burnt orange or sage green.
- DIY Centerpieces: Arrange mini pumpkins, gourds, and candles for an easy, elegant tablescape. Add name cards if you want to make it feel more intimate.
- Fairy Lights & Lanterns: Add warm string lights or lanterns to enhance the cozy ambiance.
- Personalized Touches: Create a gratitude wall with sticky notes for guests to write what they are thankful for.
- Themed Decor: If you’ve chosen a theme (like 90s nostalgia or pajama party), match your decorations accordingly.
Friendsgiving Activities - Get the party started
Keep your Friendsgiving lively with engaging activities that everyone can enjoy. Here are some ideas:
- Friendsgiving Bingo: Make bingo cards with common Friendsgiving phrases or scenarios (like “Burnt the mashed potatoes” or “Second round of pie”).
- Board Game Night: Have a collection of board games ready for guests to pick from after dinner.
- Karaoke Corner: Set up a small karaoke station for some post-dinner fun.
- Gratitude Circle: Create a moment where each guest shares what they are thankful for—it can be heartfelt or funny!
- Photo Booth with Props: Create a photo booth with Friendsgiving-themed props to capture the memories.
