Are you searching for a great way to celebrate friendship with good food, and fun, and create lasting memories? Then you’ll love hosting a Friendsgiving dinner party this year. Keep reading for an easy way to plan your best Friendsgiving party today.
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Friendsgiving is a modern twist on the traditional Thanksgiving celebration, where friends come together to share a festive meal and express gratitude for their friends.
Unlike Thanksgiving, which often revolves around large family gatherings, Friendsgiving party ideas focus on the bonds between closest friends, offering a more relaxed and personal holiday vibe.
Hosting a Friendsgiving dinner party is the best way to celebrate these connections, combining the warmth of the holiday season with the joy of being surrounded by close friends.
Whether you’re hosting a Friendsgiving menu of a buffet-style event for your friend group or a more formal Thanksgiving dinner, a Friendsgiving party is all about creating new traditions, sharing laughter, and indulging in delicious dishes.
So, let’s get ready to host your own group of friends at your Friendsgiving dinner party this year.
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1. Create a Friendsgiving Dinner Party Guest List
Creating a guest list is the first step in planning a successful Friendsgiving dinner party.
Start by considering the size of your space and the type of gathering you want to host.
Perhaps you’re having a large group for a lively atmosphere or a smaller group of close friends for a more intimate setting.
When planning, think about the mix of personalities and how they will interact to ensure a good time for everyone.
Once you’ve finalized your guest list, be sure to send out invitations for your next step.
While digital invites are convenient, using real paper invites or paper invitations can add a personal touch that sets the tone for the event.
Sending out invitations well in advance gives your guests plenty of time to plan and RSVP, ensuring you have enough time to prepare for the big day.
Make sure to include all the essential details, like the date, time, and any special instructions, such as what to bring or how to dress.
2. Set the Scene with Thanksgiving Decorations and a Festive Friendsgiving Tablescape
Creating a Thanksgiving tablescape is all about blending elegance with the warmth of the season to set the perfect tone for your meal.
Start by choosing a color palette that reflects the autumnal spirit – think rich browns, deep oranges, and warm golds.
Use a table runner or a centerpiece made of fresh greenery, pumpkins, or seasonal flowers to bring nature indoors.
Layer your table with textured linens, elegant dinnerware, and coordinated napkins to create a cohesive look.
Incorporate pumpkin place cards holder to personalize each setting for this time of year, making your guests feel special and welcome.
Adding candles in varying heights will enhance the ambiance with a soft, inviting glow.
3. Choose the Right Friendsgiving Dinner Party Supplies
Selecting the right party supplies is key for ensuring your Friendsgiving dinner runs smoothly during every part of the meal and event.
Start with the basics: paper plates and utensils.
While disposable options are practical and make cleanup easier, you can choose high-quality, stylish designs that match your theme.
Add elegant paper plates with festive patterns or metallic accents to add a touch of sophistication.
Complement these with matching napkins and cups to create a unified look.
For a more refined touch, consider using cloth napkins and fabric tablecloths that you can wash and reuse.
To protect your table and enhance the decor, a beautiful table runner or a set of placemats can add texture and color.
Setting the table for Friendsgiving also requires practical items like wine glasses and water goblets.
Depending on your drink menu, you might also need cocktail glasses or mugs for warm beverages like spiced cider or hot cocoa.
Don’t forget about ice buckets and wine openers to keep your drinks chilled and easily accessible.
When it comes to serving the Friendsgiving food ideas and meals, serving platters, bowls, and gravy boats are essential for presenting your dishes.
Large serving trays are ideal for buffet-style setups, allowing guests to help themselves with the traditional Thanksgiving meal.
Chafing dishes or warming trays are great for keeping hot foods at the right temperature throughout the event.
If you’re serving a variety of foods, a festive charcuterie board or grazing board can serve as both a centerpiece and a delicious appetizer spread.
To make the meal even more enjoyable, provide to-go boxes for guests to take home leftovers, ensuring they leave with a tasty reminder of the evening.
If you have a lot of different dishes, consider buffet-style serving stations with label cards so guests know what they’re choosing.
Additionally, napkin rings, wine charms, and place card holders can add a personal touch to your setup.
Lastly, don’t forget cleaning supplies such as paper towels, dish soap, and trash bags for quick and efficient Friendsgiving party cleanup.
4. Curate the Perfect Music Playlist for Friendsgiving Dinner
The right music can transform your Friendsgiving into an unforgettable experience.
Create a playlist with unique Friendsgiving ideas that enhance the party feel and complement the mood you want to set.
Whether you prefer classic tunes, modern hits, or a mix of both, music should be the backdrop that keeps the energy up and the conversations flowing.
5. Craft a Thoughtful Drink Menu for Friendsgiving Fun
A well-thought-out drink menu is important for setting the tone of your Friendsgiving dinner party, offering something for everyone.
Whether your friends prefer a cocktail, mocktail, or a simple glass of wine, start by considering the overall theme and flavor profile of your Friendsgiving dinner meal.
For a more traditional vibe, you might include seasonal favorites like apple cider or mulled wine, both of which pair beautifully with the rich, comforting flavors of Thanksgiving dishes.
A slow cooker spiced apple cider served warm with cinnamon sticks is a classic choice that instantly evokes the cozy feeling of fall.
For those who enjoy cocktails, create a signature Friendsgiving drink that guests will remember long after the event.
A spiced cranberry margarita or an autumn-inspired old-fashioned with hints of maple and orange could be perfect for the occasion.
Including a variety of wines – both white wine and red – ensures that your guests can choose a beverage that complements their meal.
If you’re serving small bites or appetizers before the main event, offer a lighter drink like a prosecco-based cocktail or simple sparkling water with a twist of lime.
6. Plan a Delicious Food Menu for Friendsgiving
The food is the heart of any Friendsgiving celebration, so planning your Friendsgiving food ideas carefully is important.
Start with the main dish, whether it’s a whole turkey for a large group or a family recipe for turkey breast for a smaller group.
Include traditional sides like Brussels sprouts, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes with brown sugar, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce to recreate the feel of a traditional Thanksgiving feast.
Don’t forget to offer gluten-free options and easy recipes that everyone can enjoy.
Desserts like apple pie, fresh fruit with cream cheesecake, and classic pumpkin pie are must-haves to round out the meal.
Serving the meal buffet-style is a simple way to ensure there’s much food for everyone and allows guests to help themselves with their favorite dishes.
7. Entertain with Games and Activities with Friends
Keep the good cheer going throughout the evening with fun Friendsgiving party games and activities.
Card games are always a hit, especially with a large group, providing a relaxed way for guests to interact and enjoy each other’s company.
For something more interactive, set up a pie-making contest with judging.
This not only offers so much fun but also gives everyone a chance to enjoy more pie.
Activities like these are a great opportunity to keep your guests entertained and ensure everyone has a good time.
8. Set Up a Fun Friendsgiving Photo Booth
A photo booth is a fantastic addition to any Friendsgiving dinner party, offering guests a fun way to capture the day’s memories.
Setting up a photo booth doesn’t have to be complicated – just find a well-lit area in your home, hang a festive holiday backdrop, and provide a variety of props that match your Friendsgiving theme.
Think along the lines of Thanksgiving-themed hats, signs, and quirky accessories like oversized glasses or feathered turkey masks.
This setup not only adds entertainment to your dinner party but also gives your guests a chance to take home a tangible memory of the day.
Encourage everyone to take group shots or solo photos and set up a printer so guests can have their photos printed on the spot.
For another great idea, you can also create a shared online album where everyone can upload and share their photos, ensuring that the fun and memories last beyond the big day.
9. Send Guests Home with Friendsgiving Dinner Thoughtful Party Favors
Sending your guests home with thoughtful Friendsgiving party favors and gifts is a wonderful way to extend the warmth and gratitude of Friendsgiving beyond the event itself.
Party favors don’t have to be extravagant, but they should reflect the spirit of the day and offer a little something for your guests to remember the occasion.
Add a handwritten thank-you note to each Friendsgiving party favor for that extra personal touch.
Final thoughts
Hosting a Friendsgiving dinner party is the perfect time to bring together friends and celebrate the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday with your own twist.
Whether it’s your first year hosting or a tradition you’ve upheld for a long time, the main event is about gathering with loved ones and sharing a meal filled with cherished family recipes and East traditional Thanksgiving meal favorites.
The best thing about Friendsgiving is that it allows you to create new memories with a lot of people you care about, without the pressures of the actual holiday.
The first thing to remember is that the only thing that truly matters is enjoying the company of your friends.
From using unique Friendsgiving decorations to incorporating the best tips for party games, each Friendsgiving can be a good idea that evolves into a beloved tradition.
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Your turn
Are you hosting your friends this year during the holidays? Which of these Friendsgiving dinner party ideas are your favorites? Let me know in the comments.
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We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving where I’m from, but this idea of incorporating a Friendsgiving is so neat! I definitely want to try it with my friends. Thanks for these tips!
I’d love to host a Friendsgiving dinner! Creating a photo booth with props is the perfect way to capture great memories!!
What a fun post and so many great ideas! Thanks for sharing!
My daughters both host Friendsgiving gatherings and I love watching them plan it. I am saving your very detailed and helpful post to share with them. I like how you added in the ice buckets….I ALWAYS forget those! lol Great post!