Offbeat Friendsgiving Ideas for Free Spirits
The first thing we should understand about Friendsgiving… is that it is NOT the same as Thanksgiving. It doesn’t have to be a turkey, stuffing, ham, and pumpkin pie kind of thing. As far as I’m concerned, one Thanksgiving dinner is perfect. So, what that means to me is that Friendsgiving is basically a free-for-all! It becomes your chance to break the rules, skirt expectations, color outside the lines a bit and pretty much create the perfect holiday that fits your standards.
And while, yes, you can absolutely still do a full turkey dinner with all the fixings around a dinner table, I do think the idea here is that you don’t have to if you don’t want to. If you’re craving something more unique and fun then by all means lean into that. The whole point of Friendsgiving is that it’s a holiday where you can do what you please. Make it one that reflects your personality and your idea of a good time because at the core of Friendsgiving is the idea that it can be as close or distant from the Thanksgiving traditions as you like.
So, if you are tired of the same old menu, the same old table setting, and the same old conversation topics, it’s time to approach the holiday with some new Friendsgiving ideas. Just skip the the rulebook and allow your personality to run the show. And no matter how you want to spend this time, just know that as long as you’re staying true to yourself then you’re doing it right! Here’s how to throw an untraditional Friendsgiving that will have your guests talking about it until next year.
Redefine the Menu
Yessss!!! Let’s start this list the right way because there’s nothing that says Friendsgiving needs to be a bird-and-mashed-potato affair. These Friendsgiving ideas are a perfect way to delve into the full redefinition of what a holiday feast should be. Again, if you like, you can still have turkey but this really is a great time to break away from that norm. I do think a potluck is the best way to go about a Friendsgiving dinner because c’mon… who really wants to spend hours in the kitchen cooking alone? If it’s your thing, then by all means, go for it. But if anything, at least consider taking the pressure off and trying one of these options instead:
- International Potluck: Assign each guest a different country or culture and let them bring a dish inspired by it.
- Theme Night: Go full Italian with pasta, garlic bread, and tiramisu. Or try tacos, margaritas, and salsa dancing.
- Comfort Food-Only Menu: Invite everyone to bring the dish that makes them happiest no matter how random: mac and cheese, pizza, pho, cinnamon rolls… no judgment.
- Dessert-Only Party: Skip the main course and go straight to sugar bliss. No one complains about cakes, pies, cookies, or ice cream.
Change the Location
I want to start off by saying I completely understand wanting to sit around a table with full hearts and plates while soaking in the love of chosen family. But why not make the setting even more memorable by switching out the usual dining table and chairs for something more exciting like:
- Backyard picnic with blankets, pillows, and twinkle lights.
- Rent a cozy cabin or Airbnb for a weekend of feasting and games.
- Try a rooftop Friendsgiving dinner with city lights as your backdrop.
- If you live somewhere warm and weather allows, go for a beach or park Friendsgiving.
Make It Interactive
Now while I still think a pot luck is the way to go, there are ways you can get your guests’ hands dirty instead of just having them sit down to a meal right away. Friendsgiving is all about coming together and making fun memories so finding ways to involve everyone is a good way to go. Here are some interactive Friendsgiving ideas:
- Instead of everything being done ahead, cook or prep part of the meal together, like making homemade pasta or rolling sushi.
- Friendsgiving “Chopped” challenge: each person uses a secret ingredient in their dish, and guests will have to guess what that ingredient was.
- Set up a DIY cocktail or mocktail bar with mixers, garnishes, and recipes.
- Keep hands busy after dinner with crafts like ornament-making or vision boards.
Flip the Traditions
Switch up the flow of the day just because you can! Since you’ll be modeling the evening after your own personal style and tastes, you should also go with the flow of the party that’ll best suit you and your guests. Following are a few ideas if you’re not sure where to start:
- Do the gratitude round after dessert instead of before dinner so it feels more relaxed.
- Swap assigned seating for a casual floor picnic with big pillows.
- Offer a drink and charcuterie board upon guests’ arrival or replace a formal meal with grazing boards and snack tables.
- Start with a holiday movie before dinner so everyone’s loosened up and chatty.
Add Something Unexpected
In my family we always gather after Thanksgiving dinner and watch a movie together. But in the spirit of Friendsgiving, you can always opt for something unique for after the feast. Remember, it’s the “extra” touches that people remember most. Have lots of fun with this and maybe include one of the following:
- Host a Friendsgiving talent show or open mic. (bonus points for holiday themed acts).
- Enjoy a board game or two with team prizes.
- Create a Polaroid photo wall where each guest leaves a snapshot and message.
- Do a pass-the-mic story circle where everyone shares their favorite moment from the year.
Keep the Stress Low, the Joy High
The golden rule of an outside-the-box Friendsgiving? It’s supposed to be fun for you, too. The holidays are usually a high stress time but this is supposed to be the opposite. Take simple measures to ensure a relaxing evening for you and everyone involved!
- Potluck everything — I mentioned it before, but again, no one should be cooking alone for hours.
- Use what you already have for decor (mix-and-match is charming).
- Make the gathering about connection, not a perfectly curated Instagram post. Focus on that connection over perfection.
- Celebrate when it’s least stressful for you, whether that’s the weekend before or the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Before You Go…
Friendsgiving is about celebrating your people and I hope these ideas help! Whether you swap turkey for tacos, eat dessert first, or spend the day playing games instead of cooking, there is no rulebook. The memories will be from the fact that you made it your own.
Have you celebrated Friendsgiving before?! What did you love about it? And if you haven’t been to one, would you ever want to host one yourself?
Share some of your Friendsgiving ideas below!
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