The Ultimate Friendsgiving Hosting Guide

Have you heard of Friendsgiving? If not, we have a treat for you and everyone in your community. This tradition has taken off over the past few years to become a wonderful space where everyone, from friends and family to coworkers and neighbors, can enjoy the fall festivities together.

We’ve built your all-in-one guide to creating a celebration that’s sure to make memories. Learn what to bring to Friendsgiving, how to make recipes that put a fun twist on tradition, and the best ways to decorate your home for any holiday meal, big or small.

What is Friendsgiving?

Friendsgiving takes a fun, community-focused twist on the classic American tradition. There’s a common misconception that the term originated from the popular sitcom “Friends.” And while there are certainly plenty of episodes where the group gathers for festive fall-focused meals, the term actually comes from a 2011 national ad campaign by Baileys Irish Cream. While popularized by TV shows, the term really began to boom online around 2013.

So, what exactly is Friendsgiving? It’s all about creating a comfortable space to enjoy the holiday with friends instead of family, though loved ones are always welcome to join. Think of it as an additional or alternative Thanksgiving meal that centers on friendship and gratitude.

Many people even enjoy both—a light Friendsgiving with friends during the day, followed by a traditional Thanksgiving dinner later in the evening. It’s also a great way to celebrate the season with colleagues, neighbors, and others in your community who might not usually be around your dinner table.

Friendsgiving Food Ideas

One of the best parts of Friendsgiving celebrations is that they’re flexible. We appreciate the value of tradition, and, for many, it doesn’t feel like Thanksgiving without turkey, stuffing, cornbread, and cranberry sauce. Friendsgiving offers a chance to celebrate the holiday from a fresh angle without losing its familiar charm.

Let’s start with a simple way to take Thanksgiving staples to the next level. Add a touch of festive flair to your gathering with a Friendsgiving charcuterie board. Swap the homemade turkey for sliced deli cuts, and include cubes of cheese, crackers, and fresh fruits. Leave plenty of room for cornbread, pumpkin bread, nuts, chocolate, or other fall favorites. It’s an easy, shareable dish that combines all the best parts of a holiday meal, and all without needing an oven the size of a restaurant kitchen.

More Delightful Friendsgiving Recipes

One of the most challenging aspects of traditional Thanksgiving food is that it isn’t always allergy-friendly. Many stuffing recipes call for walnuts or pecans, and even something as simple as cornbread can contain traces of tree nuts or other allergens that might irritate your guests. As you plan your menu, be sure to ask about dietary restrictions. While you’re at it, try making an allergy-friendly stuffing recipe that replaces nuts with herbs, mushrooms, or apples to create a dish that’s flavorful, healthy, and enjoyable for everyone.

If you want to branch out, try making apple pie stuffed cupcakes. One of the most time-consuming parts of pie-making is preparing and chilling the dough—this skips that step! Use cupcake batter as your base, fill the centers with cinnamon-spiced apple filling, and top with a swirl of frosting or crumble for bite-sized treats that bake quickly, travel easily, and give your guests the sweet, nostalgic taste of apple pie without the wait.

Friendsgiving Decorations

Friendsgiving, like Thanksgiving, is all about appreciating the harvest season and welcoming the change it brings. You can bring these same themes into your home to create a cozy, comfortable atmosphere for your guests.

Start by picking your color palette. Fall is the perfect time to bring rich, warm tones into your space, such as burnt orange, deep red, and golden yellow. Customizable LED bulbs are affordable, easy to use, and let you adjust the color temperature or brightness in seconds. It’s also a wonderful way to make your home feel festive without dedicating any additional space to bulky decorations.

Your Friendsgiving decor doesn’t have to be visual. Nothing characterizes the fall season quite like the comforting aromas of pine, cedar, and other trees as they transition into winter. Add a few scented candles to your mantel or use aromatic cedarwood blocks to create a warm, welcoming scent for your guests to enjoy as soon as they step inside. Check out our fall decoration guide for apartments to find our best tips for more fall Friendsgiving ideas.

Celebrate Friendsgiving in Your New Apartment Home

Friendsgiving is wonderful because you can celebrate it anywhere and with anyone. Set up a party with your running club, host a company get-together with coworkers, or invite everyone over to enjoy the season at your new apartment home.

Find a Case & Associates community near you and choose from cozy 1 bedroom apartments to spacious 3 bedroom homes. Our apartment homes feature floor plans that offer plenty of storage, fireplaces, private patios, and modern amenities that are as efficient as they are beautiful. Browse our homes online and schedule a tour today to see how Case & Associates can help you find the apartment home just in time to host your own Friendsgiving celebration.

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