Friendsgiving Ideas and Tips for The Ultimate Party

Hosting a Friendsgiving this year?

Just like Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving is a time to gather around the table with your loved ones, but with a focus on friends. This reinvented tradition is quickly gaining popularity and it’s clear why. Imagine freshly sliced turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie without all the holiday travel or dinner table politics. What more could you ask for?

The title of “holiday hostess” can be a stressful one to take on, even if you’re only hosting friends. The best advice we can give is to start your planning ahead of time and stay organized. Whether you’re hosting your first Friendsgiving or consider yourself a seasoned expert, it’s always nice to have a few tricks up your sleeve.

To help you get inspired, we created a collection of our favorite fall tablescapes, invitation ideas, traditional menu items and quick tips to ensure your dinner goes off without a hitch. Check out the visuals below for the ultimate Friendsgiving inspiration! You’ll be hosting a high-style, low-stress dinner in no time!

Since the meal is one of the main attractions, it’s only fitting that you have a table dressed to impress. The key to a perfect fall tablescape is fresh flowers. Nothing says “Happy Friendsgiving!” quite like rich hues and seasonal blooms that remind us of all we have to be thankful for. The best part is that there are so many fun ways that you can incorporate florals into your Friendsgiving gathering.

Whether you’re interested in a flower chandelier centerpiece to string above the table or fresh florals wrapped around the mantle, you can create a seasonal setting using natural hues and pops of color. As for place settings, try incorporating seasonal items like small pumpkins or fresh fruit along with gold accents. Take a peek at the detailed inspiration below.

It wouldn’t be Friendsgiving without a mouthwatering meal and pie, of course. The best part about hosting a Thanksgiving dinner with your friends is that you can call on your best buds for help planning the menu. Whether your group decides to go with a traditional turkey dinner or something out of the ordinary, it’s most efficient to have each guest bring a dish with them. Setting up a self-serve buffet will ease some of the planning stress and assure you won’t be in the kitchen all day long.

After your guests have RSVP’d, assign them each a dish to bring to the celebration. This way, you’ll have an assortment of food with no two menu items the same. When it comes to dessert, you can feature a pie assortment with a handful of options. Your friends will surely thank you when they spot their slice of choice. The pies the limit!

As for the beverages, create a signature drink for your dinner. Don’t be afraid to get festive, we love the idea of an apple cranberry Moscow mule, spiced cider margaritas or pumpkin pie shooters. You can also ask guests to bring their favorite bottle of wine. If you need help menu planning, the dinner ideas below should do the trick.

Send a festive arrangement of Thanksgiving flowers to your hostess as a gesture of your gratitude. They’ll not only serve as a token of your thanks, but also set the scene for a festive dinner. If you’re hosting dinner this year, self-gift a festive bouquet or Thanksgiving centerpiece for the tabletop or entryway.