This post is about friendsgiving.
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Friendsgiving is one of the best ways to celebrate with the people you are thankful for. Whether you are hosting for the first time or looking to elevate your annual tradition, this guide is perfect for throwing a memorable gathering.
From hosting tips that takes stress away to creative tablescape inspiration, we've got you covered! There are also lots of delicious and easy food ideas as well as fun games to keep everyone entertained! Let's jump in!
This post is about friendsgiving.
Friendsgiving Hosting Tips
Friendsgiving Table Decor
Table Runners
A table runner sets the base of tablescapes and helps define the center area for decor. For Friendsgiving, go with earthy tones like rust, taupe, or olive green. Linen runners are a great option too because they add softness and movement. Flannel and plaid will offer you the classic fall look. If you are on a tight budget, kraft paper makes a charming and interactive DIY runner where guests can write what they are thankful for.
Candlesticks & Candle Holders
After you pick out your table runner, it's time to choose candlesticks & candle holders. Candles instantly elevate a table while adding warmth. Brass and matte black holders are my personal favorites. Ceramic or glass options can also create a beautiful look. Cluster them in odd numbers and vary the heights for a seamless tablescape.
Centerpieces
You don't need to spend a ton of money on a centerpiece! Items in your home already work great. All you need to do is style them in a fall way. Dried florals, fresh florals, fruits, etc. are all perfect for this! Just keep the height lower, so guests can still see each other across the table. If you have a larger budget, a more extravagant fall centerpiece works great too!
Place Cards & Menus
Lastly, Menus & place cards are small details that add a personal touch to your Friendsgiving table. Handwritten place cards help guests feel welcomed and can be as simple as a 5-minute craft. You can tuck menus under napkins or lay them on each plate for a styled look. These paper elements elevate your tablescape instantly.
Friendsgiving Food Ideas
Crescent Roll Brie Bites
INGREDIENTS: Crescent Roll Dough, Wheel of Brie Cheese, Cranberry Sauce, Fresh Rosemary (Optional)
HOW TO: Cut crescent dough into around 2 inches and press into a mini muffin tin. Add a small cube of brie cheese on top. Put a small spoonful of cranberry sauce into each. Bake at 375 degrees for around 10-15 minutes. Garnish with rosemary if you would like to!
INGREDIENTS: Sweet potatoes or 3 medium sweet potatoes, Olive oil, Pure maple syrup, Fresh rosemary
HOW TO: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Peel and cut sweet potatoes into roughly 1-inch cubes so they cook evenly. In a large bowl, combine the sweet potato cubes, 2 Tbsp of olive oil, 2 Tbsp maple syrup, chopped rosemary (or dried), and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Toss until every cube is lightly coated. Roast at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the potatoes are tender inside and nicely caramelized on the edges. Start checking at 10-15 minutes. Oven times vary. Remove from oven, taste and adjust seasoning (a sprinkle of flaky salt is great). Let rest 2-3 minutes, then serve warm. The full recipe is linked here!
Turkey Sliders
INGREDIENTS: Slider Buns, Sliced Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, Mayonnaise, Arugula, Cheese of your Choice
HOW TO: Mix cranberry sauce and mayo to make a cranberry mayo. Spread on buns, add turkey on top. You can add any type of cheese that you desire. Pop these in the oven or serve cold. If you choose to heat them up, make sure to cover in foil. Adding arugula on top of the sliders is the perfect touch.
Looking For More Fall Ideas?
Cranberry Meatballs
INGREDIENTS: 1 Bag of Frozen Meatballs, Cranberry Sauce, BBQ Sauce
HOW TO: Mix cranberry sauce and bbq sauce in a slow cooker. Add frozen meatballs and stir to coat them. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or until meatballs are heated through.
INGREDIENTS: Dates, Goat Cheese, Bacon, Honey, Thyme, Assorted Nuts (Optional)
HOW TO: Cut your bacon into thirds & slice your dates in halves the long way. Remove the pit of the dates or buy dates that already have the pit removed. Mix honey with your goat cheese and add thyme. Fill your dates with the cheese and wrap bacon around them. Secure with a toothpick and bake. The full recipe is linked here!
Maple Roasted Carrots
INGREDIENTS: Carrots, Olive Oil, Maple Syrup, Thyme
HOW TO: Peel and cut carrots before beginning. Toss carrots with olive oil and maple syrup (a couple tablespoons), salt, and pepper. Roast carrots at 400 degrees for around 30 minutes while stirring throughout. Garnish with fresh thyme.
INGREDIENTS: Chuck Roast, Beef Broth, Lipton recipe secrets onion soup & dip mix, Olive oil, French rolls, Provolone cheese
HOW TO: Sear the roast on each side for about 5 minutes with olive oil. Pour beef broth and onion soup & mix into crockpot with roast. Cook for 4-6 hours on low. Assemble sandwiches with roast and provolone on a french roll. The full recipe is linked here!
Sheet Pan Turkey Breast
INGREDIENTS: Boneless Turkey Breast, Olive Oil, Fresh Rosemary & Thyme, Garlic Cloves, Chopped Carrots, Onions, & Potatoes
HOW TO: Place turkey breast on a sheet pan with veggies. Drizzle with olive oil and season everything! Roast at 375 degrees for 45-55 minutes or until turkey reaches 165 degrees. Let rest, slice, and serve to your guests!
Friendsgiving Games
Gratitude Guessing Game
Have everyone write down one thing they are thankful for and drop it in a bowl. Then take turns reading them aloud and guessing who wrote what. It's a sweet way to mix sentiment with fun. This game adds a layer of warmth and connection to your gathering.
Friendsgiving Superlatives
Print out a list of fun superlatives and have everyone vote anonymously. Categories like "Best Dish," "Most Festive Outfit," or "Life of the Party" work great! Reveal the winners at the end and hand out fun prizes.
Who's Most Likely To: Friendsgiving Edition
Create a themed version of this classic party game with prompts like "Who's most likely to burn the turkey?" or "Who would bring store bought mashed potatoes and lie about it?" You can make cards ahead of time or go around the table making them up. It's a hilarious way to get everyone laughing and involved.
Friendsgiving Trivia
Put together a mix of Thanksgiving facts, fall pop culture, and random trivia. You can divide into several teams or just two. Think of questions like "What year was the first Thanksgiving parade?" or "Which Friends character got a turkey stuck on their head?" This is a fun, competitive, and super easy to customize game that everyone can enjoy. You could add personalized questions involving your actual friend group too!
Thanksgiving Charades or Pictionary
Make a list of themed prompts like "Black Friday Shopping," "Turkey Trot," or "Thanksgiving Dinner." Divide into teams and act or draw them out. This is a low-prep game that gets everyone laughing.
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