Right after Halloween, Thanksgiving arrives on the scene. Many people opt to come together with family during Thanksgiving. Yet, for those who cannot or simply prefer not to. do that, can celebrate with Friendsgiving. It closely mirrors Thanksgiving but with a more compact guest list. It’s an occasion for gathering with your dearest friends, all leading up to the Thanksgiving festivities.
True to its name, this unofficial holiday blends “Thanksgiving” and “Friends,” offering you the chance to be in the company of cherished friends who feel like family. It gives you the freedom to extend invitations exclusively to those you genuinely appreciate and enjoy conversing with.
Some credit the influential television show Friends with inspiring the idea of spending the holiday with friends. Another theory proposes that in 2011, an advertising campaign by Baileys Irish Cream liqueur introduced the term, propelling the trend further.
Unlike Thanksgiving, which has an official date, Friendsgiving doesn’t have a fixed day. Many people tend to host it before the actual Thanksgiving Day if they plan to spend the holiday with their family. Alternatively, some might simply adopt Thanksgiving itself, renaming it Friendsgiving when celebrating with a group of friends.
When it comes to the menu, it can range from a classic Thanksgiving potluck to a more distinctive selection featuring the personal favorites of those in attendance. In a Reddit thread, someone shared their Friendsgiving menu, which featured a Mexican-inspired feast. “For our Friendsgiving we do Mexican. Pineapple chicken and shredded beef tacos. Lime sour cream, rice, corn bread, queso, guac and assorted salsas. Margaritas and Jell-O shots,” they wrote.
While the Thanksgiving season often evokes memories of family traditions, Friendsgiving provides an opportunity to establish new traditions with those close to you. Over the years, Friendsgiving has become an annual tradition for many. If you’re hosting a Friendsgiving gathering, you can enhance the event by incorporating a theme.
Take a look at some Friendsgiving themes that would make for a fun holiday event.
Pajama Friendsgiving
Reach out to your friends and let them know you’re planning a Friendsgiving pajama get-together. Invite them to join in wearing their preferred pajamas, and you can make plans for the evening as it unfolds. Best of all, there’s no need to stress about dressing up for an elegant dinner.
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Pie Party
You can host a Friendsgiving event with a pie-themed twist. Set a guideline where each guest brings their best homemade pie, whether it’s pecan, pumpkin, apple, sweet potato, or any other variety. To add an extra element of fun, you might even consider arranging a pie-making competition, complete with a prize for the winner. Make sure to have some props on hand to enhance the overall experience.
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