What Is Friendsgiving?

Friendsgiving is a celebration of good friends and good food, in the spirit of Thanksgiving. Unlike traditional Thanksgiving, where the host usually prepares the entire meal, many Friendsgiving feasts represent a coming together of the guests’ culinary contributions.

Friendsgiving is sometimes a replacement for the traditional holiday when you can’t travel home or you find it difficult to be around family this time of year. If you’ve never heard of this holiday, you’re not alone: Merriam-Webster didn’t add Friendsgiving to the dictionary until 2020!

One of the best things about Friendsgiving is that it allows anyone, anywhere, to celebrate the practice of coming together with those they care about – you don’t need to be in the United States to appreciate the sentiment of the holiday.

Preparing for Friendsgiving

As with any party or gathering, preparation is key. If you’re hosting a potluck Friendsgiving, there are a few ways to ensure the celebration is a success.

1. Communicate! You don’t want four hundred dishes but no drinks or desserts. Make sure you delegate responsibilities to your guests, to ensure there’s enough food, drinks, and tableware for everyone. Email and online spreadsheets are great for staying organized, but there are now many apps (I love using Signup Genius) to take the hassle out of hosting!
2. While not necessary, a themed dinner can be a fun change of pace. The options are endless and can include anything from having your guests dress up as beloved book or TV characters to going with themed food and decorations.
3. Make sure to label all dishes, including listing any possible allergies. The most common food sensitivities are to gluten, eggs, milk, nuts, and shellfish, but ask your guests to let you know of any specific restrictions they may have.
4. Buffet-style dining makes it easy for your guests to serve themselves and keeps the dining area clear for conversation.
5. Have some extra storage containers on hand, should guests want to take some of the dishes home with them ‒ and for you to keep leftovers, too!

Potluck Meal Ideas for Friendsgiving

While Friendsgiving foods don’t necessarily need to be aligned with what’s traditionally served at Thanksgiving, many people like to keep with the theme of the holiday. Here is a list of delicious recipes that you can use as inspiration for your celebration.

Appetizers

Appetizers set the mood for the entire meal. They can be simple yet delicious!

• These Naturally Sweetened Honey Pecans from Cookie + Kate are a sweet, salty, and crunchy addition to your table.
• A combination of sweet and savory, this Maple Candied Bacon from The Clever Carrot is a delicious bite for your nonvegetarian/nonvegan friends.
• You can’t go wrong with a themed fall charcuterie board; it has plenty of options for everyone, no matter their dietary preferences.
• If you don’t have a big board but have small jars, try making some Not only is it a super-fun way to serve up snacks, but it also enables a safer experience during cold and flu season.

Main Dishes

If your guests are all meat eaters, including meat for the main meal is easy and a classic way to center the entire dinner. If some of them follow a vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based diet, make sure guests can bring meat-free options for them to enjoy.

• Butter and Sage Roasted Turkey from The Wooden Skillet is easy to make, and it’s Whole30 friendly, too!
• This Orange Dijon Glazed Ham from Delicious Meets Healthy makes for a different and delicious dish.
• The Oh She Glows Glazed Lentil Apple Walnut Loaf makes a fantastic vegetarian option.
• Baking and serving whole roasted cauliflower is less intimidating than it may seem! This option from Evolving Table is gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and low in carbohydrates.

Side Dishes

Some people say that Thanksgiving (or any holiday) isn’t complete without the sides ‒ and I’m inclined to agree!

• This Fall Harvest Salad from Easy Real Food has something in it for everyone.
• Step up your brussels sprouts game with the Minimalist Baker’s Crispy Garlic Brussels Sprouts with Sriracha Aioli
• Rooted and Revel’s Tamale Pie with Beans and Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread is a one-pot meal that’s easy to prep in advance and is a crowd pleaser, too.
• These Kale-Stuffed Portabello Mushrooms from Oh My Veggies deliver savory flavors that come together in individual portions ‒ the perfect recipe to make for a potluck.
• Easy-to-prep Creamy Pumpkin Baked Rigatoni from Kitchen Treaty is a yummy comfort food that can be reheated right before dinner.
• Vegan Creamed Corn from Making Thyme for Health is made with only five ingredients, has no dairy, and offers a delicious alternative to the canned stuff.
• Flavored with honey instead of white sugar, Easy Real Food’s Homemade Cranberry Sauce is a sweet addition.

Grains and More

Along with sides, many Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving tables offer some type of bread, rice, or pastry.

• Those who are gluten-free, have no fear ‒ these Sweet Potato Biscuits from Easy Real Food have got you covered.
• It doesn’t get more seasonal than this Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto from Cookie + Kate.
• This Brussels Sprout and Grape Galette from Oh My Veggies is a distinctive dish that makes quite the conversation piece.

Desserts

If some of your guests have a sweet tooth, put them in charge of bringing dessert – they probably know best!

• These Crustless Mini Pumpkin Pies from Easy Real Food are both gluten- and dairy-free, and their small size is perfect for potluck meals.
• Chai-Spiced Pear Pie from The Almond Eater brings all the season’s flavors together.
• Well Vegan’s Apple Cider Cake with Maple Glaze is the ultimate fall dessert recipe.

Beverages

Ensure that you have a variety of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages for your guests to enjoy.

• This Ginger Apple Moscow Mule from Half Baked Harvest is beautiful and has a spicy, warming flavor.
• Fruit-infused water helps keep everyone hydrated and can be made with rosemary, pomegranate, and some citrus additions.
• Drop a few fresh cranberries into this Skinny Cranberry Margarita, which transforms just four ingredients into a festive cocktail.
• Spiked with amaretto, this Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate from Fit Foodie Finds is made with almond milk and maple syrup.
• The Spiced Honey Bourbon Old-Fashioned from Half Baked Harvest will make your guests feel toasty with its mix of sweet honey and warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger.
• Fresh flavors of nutmeg, cinnamon, and lime are combined with ginger beer and pomegranate juice in this Thanksgiving Mocktail with Pomegranate from This Vivacious Life.

Making New Traditions

With a little planning, Friendsgiving is a celebration that distributes effort and doesn’t put the burden on any one person or household. Whether Friendsgiving is a new tradition you’re starting or one that you’ve been putting together for years, it’s an occasion anyone can make their own in order to celebrate the season.